HOPE Festival to feature variety of music

BANGOR – Diverse musical styles will highlight this year’s HOPE Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Brewer Auditorium.

HOPE stands for Help Organize Peace Earthwide. The Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine has sponsored the event in conjunction with Earth Day since 1995. Earth Day is Sunday.

Klezmer band Tzena! Tzena! and bluegrass band The Lonesome Polecats will perform along with Bangor-based singing group Women With Wings. Leah Wolfsong of Buckfield, playing at 1:20-2:10 p.m., will be a featured performer.

Wolfsong describes herself as “a musician, teacher and practitioner of Earth-based spirituality. In her 20-plus years of experience as a professional musician, she has been influenced by a wide variety of musical styles and has performed in venues from smoky blues clubs to classy cruise ships.

She combines percussion instruments with vocals. Much of her music recorded on the four albums Wolfsong has released in the past seven years is inspired by the natural beauty that surrounds her home at the edge of the White Mountains. She also is a member of the band Shambhala.

Wolfsong studies the healing aspects of music, the power, rhythm and the spiritual ways of Earth honoring cultures. She is focused on the ability of music to transform lives, open hearts and unify people for the highest good.

“All of creation began with a single tone sent forth by the Creator. The vibrations of this tone resonated throughout the universe and set creation in motion,” she writes on her Web site. “We are each a part of this beautiful cosmic song. It is time for us to remember our relationship to all things in the circle of life. Through music such awareness is achieved.”

“The festival keeps growing every year,” said Peter Phillips, a member of the festival committee. “The number of people who attend increases every year, and the number of organizations continues to increase. It’s a good way to get our message out there.”

In addition to performers, organic food, speakers and organizational booths, a variety of children’s programs will be held throughout the day. Brenda Fielding will teach yoga classes designed for youngsters and storyteller Kevin Duplissie will perform.

A 5K fun run will begin at 11 a.m. Exhibits at the festival will include a solar energy display, a hybrid electric car and the recycled sculptures of artist Wally Warren. Representatives from the Maine Interfaith Climate Change Initiative will be one of more than 60 groups with informational tables at the festival.

For more information, call 942-9343.