Tibetan Monks Perform "Sacred Music Sacred Dance for World Healing"

A group of Tibetan Buddhist lamas from the Drepung Loseling Monastery will perform in Fort Collins as part of their international tour of "Sacred Music and Sacred Dance for World Healing." The performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 22 in the Lory Student Center Theatre at Colorado State University.

The 1998-1999 Sacred Music Sacred Dance tour is sponsored by Richard Gere Productions Inc. and the Loseling Institute, the North American Seat of the Drepung Loseling Monastery, with the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The tour has three purposes: to make a contribution to world healing and peace movements, to generate a greater awareness of the endangered Tibetan civilization and to raise support for the refugee community in India.

The Drepung Loseling monks are particularly renowned for their multiphonic singing. The performance also uses traditional instruments such as 10-foot long dunchen trumpets, drums, bells, cymbals and gyaling horns. Rich brocade costumes and masked dances, such as the "Dance of the Sacred Snow Lion" add to the exotic splendor.

The monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery also have a distinguished modern-day musical history. In past tours, they have performed with Kitaro, Paul Simon, Philip Glass, Eddie Brickell, Natalie Merchant, Patti Smith, the Beastie Boys and the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart. In addition, two of their recordings achieved top ten listings on the New Age charts: "Tibetan Sacred Temple Music," Shining Star Productions, California; and "Sacred Music, Sacred Dance for World Healing," Music and Arts Program of America Inc., California.

In 1997, the Drepung Loseling monks participated in Hollywood’s two major movies on Tibet: Martin Scorsese’s film, "Kundun." Their music was featured on the Golden Globe-nominated soundtrack of the film, "Seven Years in Tibet."

Advanced tickets go on sale April 12 at the Lory Student Center Information Desk/Box Office, 491-6444. The performance is free to Colorado State students and $5 for non-students.

For more information, contact Aisha Simmons, Distinguished Leaders Program chairwoman at 491-6920, or Jeannie Ortega, DLP advisor, at 491-3533.