Flutes and drums will rule May 15-17 in Ivins, echoing a cascade of sounds off the walls of the red mountains as World Peace Gardens sponsors The Zion Flute and Drum Festival: Celebrating the Rhythms of Mother Nature. The community event will bring excitement and an eclectic mix of sacred music to southern Utah residents.  This world-class event is destined to provide music lovers with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the passion of music and to further hone their musical talent through learning opportunities with world-renowned recording artists.

Whether in the elevator, shopping mall, at the seaside, the concert hall, in carpools or chapel— music is everywhere. Even when there is none playing, we often hear it inside our heads. Every moment, music occupies so much of our lives.

There is an immutable law in the universe: Music brings people together.  I can literary feel the sound of this truth echoing deep within my soul.  And bringing people and the community together is paramount in today’s world.  I have led community circles for many years, and now, as the current director of the World Peace Gardens Sunday Gatherings, I have an intimate experience with seeing and feeling people generate knowledge out of sound.  Music draws people into a comfortable place, creating a shared moment, creating community.

Wishing to capture the inspiration behind bringing this festival to Ivins, I recently spent a few moments with the Zion Flute and Drum Festival Director, Marty Lisonbee:

JAN: What first sparked your love of the flute?

MARTY: Several years ago, while visiting in Mesa, Arizona, I attending an intimate gathering of flute players held in a community flute circle member’s backyard. There were about 150 people in attendance. The flute players performed on a small makeshift four-by-eight stage. It had a big impact on me. Ninety days later, we held the first flute festival in Zion Canyon.  That was five years ago.

JAN: What was your vision for the Utah Festival?

MARTY: I wanted to share the intensity of the moment that I had in Arizona with everyone. I especially wanted it to be a cultural gathering to bring people together.

JAN: How did it happen so fast?

MARTY: The Festival has always had a life of its own. A core group of organizers from around the county work all year on the event. The greatest benefit has been the use of the website. Many flute players found information about the festival on the website and contacted me to perform. Many came on their own dime. Plus, the scenic landscapes of southern Utah made it even more appealing for players and attendees both local and out of town.

JAN: What’s new this year?

MARTY: First, the City of Ivins is one of the co-sponsors of this year’s event. And I think having the event nearer to St. George will increase the access to the southern Utah residents. The three-day Festival hosts juried flute and art vendors, an open mic stage of continuous music, numerous workshops and food. The festival portion will be held at Unity Park in Ivins. The main concert on Saturday night, May 16th, will be held at Tuacahn Amphitheater.

JAN: Wow, I can just imagine the music resonating through Tuacahn and Snow Canyon! Marty, I was in rapture, seriously, when I heard two-time Grammy winner Robert Mirabal would be headlining this year’s festival concert. How did that happen?

MARTY: Robert Mirabal, without a doubt, is one of the country’s leading Native American flute players. His music has a strong ancestral texture. Robert maintains a traditional life, keeping the centuries-old customs of the Taos Pueblo people. Robert has been described as a Native American "Renaissance man" - musician, composer, painter, master craftsman, poet, actor, screenwriter, horseman and farmer - and travels extensively playing his music all over the world. His dozen albums of traditional music, rock and roll, and spoken-word present a contemporary view of American Indian life that is unequaled.

JAN: “My music is informed by the ceremonial music that I've heard all my life. What I create comes out of my body and soul in a desire to take care of the spirits of the earth.” When I read this quote by Robert Mirabal, my soul stood still.

MARTY: Yes, his spoken poetry is real intense. This quote is one of my favorites: “If you live a traditional life, you see things differently—spiritually and musically.”  Robert has merged his indigenous American sound with those of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, tapping into a planetary pulse with a style that defies categorization.

JAN: Tell me about award-winning world music recording artist Suzanne Teng.

MARTY:  She is known for creating heartfelt and healing music. Her band will literally take and transform the Tuacahn stage into a mystical musical journey featuring an eclectic collaboration of instruments from around the world. Suzanne is the winner of the 2006 International Acoustic Music Awards [Instrumental Division] and the 2005 and 2001 Independent Music Awards [Best New Age Artist], was a finalist for the 2005 Independent Music Awards [Best World Music Artist], the only artist to be nominated in two categories, and her contemporary world music band Suzanne Teng & Mystic Journey has appeared on Music Connection magazine’s HOT 100 several years in a row.

JAN: Extremely impressive—tell me about Gilbert Levy, her musical partner.

MARTY: Gilbert can play just about any drum he picks up and is a specialist on the Indian devotional drums, the khol and pekawaj, on which he is the primary accompanying instrument for numerous kirtan chanters [devotional Sanskrit call-and-response chanting].  His unique drum kit includes drums from Africa and the Middle East blended with tom-tom and cymbals. His musical style blends traditional rhythms with funk and R&B, and his ability to create unique drum patterns keeps him in demand as a performer and recording artist.

JAN: I noticed that many other flute genres are on the line-up for the festival’s open mic in the park and the Tuacahn concert. What are they?

MARTY: William Hoshal brings an eclectic mix of jazz fusion and classical flute. Vince Chafin is a high-energy player who will add the Anasazi and pre-Columbian Aztec Flutes. And Dann Torres, primarily a guitarist, he bridges the gap between modern and traditional music in a unique way.

JAN: Where can folks obtain more information regarding the three-day festival?

MARTY: I would encourage everyone to visit the website to get more information and register for workshops. There are many workshops being offered during the festival: flute making, yoga for flute players, leather flute bag making, and native gourd doll making, just to name a few.  The website is www.zionfluteanddrumfestival.com or contact 435-680-2629.

JAN: Thanks, Marty, for your time and efforts to continue this musical tradition in southern Utah.

It is never too late to begin playing the flute. No musical experience is required. If you are a beginner or a seasoned player looking to expand your talent, Betina Lindsey, aka “The Flute Lady” and the force behind the Zion Flute School is spearheading a wonderful flute school May 17-22, in Springdale. For more information visit www.zioncanyonnativefluteschool.com              

Listen up! Lean in real close my friend ― you will not want to miss this splendid mix of art and music.  I’m talking a harmonic adventure in sound. One by one, we can change the world. And note by magical note, we connect to the universal rhythm of peace.

This column is provided by World Peace Gardens, a non-profit organization promoting oneness, inner peace and world peace. The World Peace Gatherings take place every Sunday at Green Valley Spa in St. George, Utah. The gatherings begin at 11AM and are located at 1871 Canyon View Drive. For more information call: (702) 521-2635 or log on at: www.WorldPeaceGardens.org