Following is this week’s schedule for the festival, which runs Oct. 9-17. See feature stories. Hot line, (310) 208-2784; www.wfsm.org/americas.

SAT., OCT. 9

TO ALL RELATIONS ‘99 Rise early and celebrate the sacred all day at this soul-enhancing event, which offers workshops in yoga, tai chi, taiko drumming and more, as well as music. Spiritual elders on hand include Wallace Black Elk of the Lakota Nation, Geshe Gyeltsen Rinpoche of Thubten Dahargye, the Rev. Masao Kodani of Senshin Buddhist Temple and Krishna Kaur of Sikh Dharma. The closing “Sacred Music Circle” concert features Nobuko Miyamoto; Sundance Drummers and Singers; Nedra Wheeler; Tibetan musician Sangay Bum; and Haqqika Linda Bridges leading the Healing Dance. Presented by the Great Leap performance group at SENSHIN BUDDHIST TEMPLE, 1311 W. 37th St.; 5 a.m.-10 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

FESTIVAL OF MUSIC 2000 After a sunrise blessing by Vera Rocha, spiritual leader and chief of the Shoshone Gabrielino Nation, and a pre-Columbian service by Cuauhtemoc Azteca Dance, the park becomes sacred ground as the day unfolds with Alaadun International African and New African Ballet Company; a midday reprise of Cuauhtemoc Azteca Dance; Mexica ceremonial warrior dances; ritual music and dance from Bahia with the Folclorico do Brasil; a Jazz Mentorship Program of sacred jazz by the L.A. Multischool Jazz Band; JMP master Bobby Rodriguez; and a final sunset performance by Cuauhtemoc Azteca Dance. BARNSDALL ART PARK, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; sunrise-sunset; free. (213) 473-4269 or (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

A DAY OF DRUMMING with Francis Awe, Allesandra Belloni, Francisco Aguabella Japanese, African, Italian, Asian, and Yoruba drumming, along with drum-making and drum-playing workshops, women’s drum circle, Japanese taiko and Afro-Cuban rhythms. A giant bonfire and jam session with all the performers at day’s end. MacARTHUR PARK, 1321 East Anaheim St., Long Beach; 9 a.m.-mid.; free. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

MANDALA SAND PAINTING: The Architecture of Enlightenment with The Monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery A blessing of the festival with Tibetan monks, who will lay millions of grains of colored sand to create a sand mandala over five days. Geshe Lobsang Tenzin, director of the Loseling Institute, lectures on the symbolism of the sand mandala. UCLA HAMMER MUSEUM OF ART, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Wstwd.; Sat.-Wed., Oct. 9-13, 11 a.m.; lecture 4 p.m daily; free. (310) 443-7000.

JOHN LENNON “IMAGINE” BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION The Los Angeles Alliance for Survival’s ninth annual gathering. JOHN LENNON’S STAR ON THE WALK OF FAME, 1750 North Vine St., Hlywd.; noon; free. (310) 399-1000.

LOS ANGELES LATVIAN CHOIR with Armenian Women’s Chorus Choral music ranging from sacred cantatas and folk songs to classical Western melodies. The Armenian Women’s Chorus performs medieval hymns, anthems and spiritual folk songs dating from the fifth to the 13th centuries. LATVIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1927 Riverside Dr.; 1 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

ENTER THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAIN with John Densmore and friends; Tribal Jazz; the Andean group Mashicunas, with sacred earth artists Vijali and Edie Hartshorne; Miguel Rivera, indigenous chants and drums; Craig Kohland & Chris Pellani leading rhythmic offerings; Charles Bernstein, a selection from Mass; Shiva Rea, Georgianne Cowan and Stephanie Franz “connecting with the earth body through movement”; and sacred chanting with Lisa Rafel; 2-6 p.m.; $5; carpooling necessary, parking limited. For reservations and directions to Malibu site, call (310) 456-8300.

PERCUSSION ARTISTS WORKSHOP Drumming and dancing by the Afro-Cuban ensemble. JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM, 369 E. First St., dwntwn.; 2 p.m. (213) 625-0414.

SONGS OF A NEW DAWN The Renaissance Artist and Writers Association of Ananda Marga brings together musicians to perform the inspirational compositions of P.R. Sarkar, 20th-century Indian philosopher, writer and composer. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 4963 Balboa Blvd., Encino; 7 p.m.; free. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

SACRED MUSIC OF THE LABOR MOVEMENT Hymns and gospel songs, as well as songs from Central and South America. UNITED UNIVERSITY CHURCH, corner of Hoover & Jefferson sts., USC; 7:30 p.m.; free. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

RAHUL SAKYAPUTRA, ALCHEMY HANDBELL ENSEMBLE Sitarist Sakyaputra is joined by tabla player Ramesh Kumar. ST. JAMES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 19414 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana; 7:30 p.m.; free. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

THE TRIUMPHANT SPIRIT, FOUNDER’S CHURCH CATHEDRAL CHOIR Founder’s Church music director Dr. Albert McNeil leads the ethnically diverse 58-member Cathedral Choir in gospel and classic African American spirituals. SEPULVEDA UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY, THE ONION, 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills; 8 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587)

SHAHRAM NAZERI & THE DASTAN ENSEMBLE Sufi songs. JAPAN AMERICA THEATER, 244 S. San Pedro St., dwntwn; 8 p.m. (213) 680-3700 or (310) 470-5177. See Picks of the Week.

ANCIENT STRINGS OF PEACE: Prince Diabaté, Wozani From Guinea, West Africa, Prince Diabaté plays the kora, accompanied by singer Amara Sanoh, whose warm, husky voice resonates with echoes of the blues. Also, acoustic world-beat music from Wozani. WILSHIRE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 4350 Wilshire Blvd.; 8 p.m. (818) 508-4377 or (323) 655-TKTS (8587). See Picks of the Week.

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BHAKTI: An Evening of Devotional Music and Sacred Poetry With Kirby Shelstad and Suzanne Sterling YOGA WORKS, 2215 Main St., Santa Monica; 8 p.m.; $12. (310) 393-5150.

SACRED MUSIC AND DANCE OF CAMBODIA AND BALI with Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Danse Celeste SCHOENBERG HALL, UCLA, Wstwd.; 8 p.m. (310) 825-2101/

ZEN DANCING, SHAMAN’S DREAM WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE Everybody joins Craig Kohland and Micheline Berry in “urban temple dancing to awaken the healing body-prayer within.” MAHA YOGA, 13050 San Vicente Blvd., Second floor, Brntwd.; 8:30 p.m. (310) 281-7738.

SUN., OCT. 10

MANDALA SAND PAINTING See Sat., Oct. 9.

OPENING CELEBRATION Address by His Holiness the Dalai Lama; blessing by Gabrielino/Tongva Chief Cindi Alvitre, performances by Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Ulali, Chazzan Yaacov Motzen, Lila Downs, Interdenominational Gospel Choir, Esa-Pekka Salonen & the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Choir of Tibetan Monks, Marlui Miranda, Ali Jihad Racy & Ahmed El-Asmer, Halau O Kekuhi HOLLYWOOD BOWL; 4-8 p.m. (213) 365-6300 (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Parking info: (323) 850-2000.

MON., OCT. 11

MANDALA SAND PAINTING See Sat., Oct. 9.

YOGAFEST with Ananda Marga FIESTA HALL, Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd.; 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; free. (323) 876-1717.

TUES., OCT. 12

MANDALA SAND PAINTING See Sat., Oct. 9.

JAI UTTAL & THE PAGAN LOVE ORCHESTRA Music inspired by the Bauls, the street musicians of Bengal, backed by the Pagan Love Orchestra, a contemporary Western-style Indian-jazz-pop ensemble. AGAPE INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF TRUTH

5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City; 7 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

FESTIVAL OF JAPANESE GAGAKU Japanese ancient ceremonial music. TENRIKYO CHURCH, 2727 E. First St., dwntwn.; 7:30 p.m.; free. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

A VOCAL OFFERING: Meredith Monk and her “extraordinary three-octave voice that is at once earthy and unearthly.” GETTY CENTER, Harold M. Williams Auditorium; 8 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587). See Picks of the Week.

TONES OF REMEMBRANCE: Constance Demby The keyboardist “accesses and activates profound levels of mind-body-spirit interaction.” COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 801 Via de la Paz, Pacific Palisades; 8 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

MYSTIC VOICES — Music of Devotion In Islam and Hinduism Four parts: “The Mystic Flute of the Arab World” with Ali Jihad Racy; “The Mystic Voice of Persian Sufism” with Manoochehr Sadeghi and Houmon Purmehdi; Lakshmi Shankar, Samar Das, and Rajendra Vaishayampan interpret “The Flute of Lord Krishna in Hindustani Music”; and “Modern Composers Go Mystic,” with vocals by Amy Catlin-Jairazbhoy and Joan Thompson on piano. IMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 3300 Wilshire Blvd.; 8 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

MARLUI MIRANDA & PERLA BATALLA Batalla’s singing updates traditional Latino melodies and bluesy ballads. Miranda presents songs and chants of the Amazon. PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE, enter at corner of Plummer & Zelzah; 8 p.m. (818) 677-2488.

KRISHNA DAS Traditional Indian music “energized with Western grooves to create soulful chanting that is eminently accessible to Western hearts.” MAHA YOGA, 13050 San Vicente Blvd., Second floor, Brentwood; 8:30 p.m. (310) 899-0047.

 

WED., OCT. 13

MANDALA SAND PAINTING See Sat., Oct. 9.

THE L.A. BAROQUE ORCHESTRA freshens up the old with the help of period instruments to perform compositions by Mozart, Bach and Handel. SANTA MONICA COLLEGE, Madison Site Theater, 11th St. & Santa Monica Blvd. in the Plaza; noon; free. (310) 434-3431.

MARIACHI SOL DE AMERICA, XIPE TOTEC L.A.’s premier mariachi combo, Mariachi Sol de America, appears with Mexico City’s Xipe Totec, performing Aztec ritual danzas that pre-date Cortez and his greedy band of conquistadors. PLAZA DE LA RAZA, 3540 N. Mission Road; 6 p.m.; free. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

THE SACRED SOUNDS OF JEWISH MYSTICISM: Adam del Monte and Cantor Eva Robbins WESTWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 10497 Wilshire Blvd., Wstwd.; 7 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8487).

SPIRIT LEVEL Ben El Sesser’s band plays folk, rock and funk with an Afro-Cuban beat. In addition, Chief Osab, from Benin, Nigeria, performs a tribal masking ritual. MUSEUM OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY, South Bay Pavilion, Carson; 7 p.m. (310) 324-4702.

SACRED MUSIC, SACRED DANCE FOR WORLD HEALING: The Monks of the Drepung Loseling Monastery Song and dance “designed to enhance the spirit of goodness, eliminate negative energies, and invoke the blessings of mystical beings who visit our world in times of stress and danger.” UCLA HAMMER MUSEUM OF ART, courtyard, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Wstwd.; 7 p.m.; doors at 6:30 p.m.; courtyard seating or standing on first-come, first-served basis. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

SOLO INTERPRETATIONS OF HILDEGARD VON BINGEN: Jocelyn Montgomery Soprano Montgomery breathes life into the medieval nun’s 900-year-old poetry. SINAI TEMPLE, Kohn Chapel, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Wstwd.; 7 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

ELK WHISTLE (BILL NEAL), ROBERT EEN The traditional flute music of the Lakota and Cherokee nations is paired with the contemporary sound of composer/cellist/vocalist Robert Een. KOL TIKVAH TEMPLE, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills; 7 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8487).

ALESSANDRA BELLONI, SUZANNE TENG & MYSTIC JOURNEY Tambourine player Alessandra Belloni and flautist Suzanne Teng promise to transport you with drumming, tarantellas, chanting and “mystical flute meditations.” FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 4963 Balboa Blvd., Encino; 7 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

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SPIRITS OF THE CLOUD PEOPLE: Lila Downs The Oaxacan native sings in Spanish and English accompanied on pre-Columbian and Mexican instruments by her hip-hop-influenced band. GETTY CENTER, Harold M. Williams Auditorium; 8 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

SACRED VOICES OF WOMEN Hila Plittman and the combined women’s choruses of the Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale and the Southern California Choral Society perform Israeli-based composer Tsippi Fleischer’s Lamentation, and an Armenian women’s chorus performs medieval hymns and spirituals, and 20th-century vocal works by Armenian composers. Also, the Zhena Folk Chorus offers songs from the Adriatric Coast. CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE, Performing Arts Center (enter campus at Plummer & Zelzah); 8 p.m. (818) 677-2488 or (213) 480-3232.

THURS., OCT. 14

MUSIC FROM OUR SOULS: Sacred Music Is for Everyone

West Hollywood celebrates its diversity with a concert including Cantor Fran Chlain and her choir, and senior folk dancers. PLUMMER PARK, Fiesta Hall, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd.; noon; free. (323) 876-1717 or (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

WOMEN OF SPIRIT: Perla Batalla & Sacred Fusion (Shanti Shivani & Annette Cantor) Perla Batalla’s expressive voice paired with Sacred Fusion’s “blend of sixth-century Roman Catholic Gregorian chants and classical East Indian dhrupad.” IMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 3300 Wilshire Blvd.; 7 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

MY HEART IS IN THE EAST: Za’atar, Kan Zaman Sacred music from the Middle East, featuring Arab-Jewish and Sephardic melodies, and Muslim and Christian songs of the Arab world. BAHA’I CENTER, 5755 Rodeo Road; 7 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

PASHA NINATEEN, ADAAWE UCLA, University Catholic Center, 633 Gayley Ave., Wstwd.; 7 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587). See Picks of the Week.

PACIFIC WINDS: Qi-Chao Liu, Nawang Khechog, Bill Shozan Schultz Flute music of China, Tibet and Japan. SINAI TEMPLE, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Wstwd.; 7 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587).

THANJÁVUR With influences that span the globe — Africa, India, the Middle East and Latin America — this quintet (whose members are from India, Venezuela and the U.S.) performs world music with a capital “W.” NEW MISSION THEATER at Rancho Cordillera del Norte, 9105 Wilbur Ave., Northridge; 8 p.m. (818) 349-3431 or (323) 258-1424.

VAS Omar Faruk Tekbilek, “the foremost Turkish musician living in the West,” joins ecstatic singer Azam Ali and percussionist Greg Ellis. SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.; 8 p.m. (310) 440-4659.

ANDRAE CROUCH & CHOIR, CANTORIAL ALL-STARS The Holy Spirit meets the High Holy Days. TEMPLE ISRAEL, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; 7:30 p.m. (323) 655-TKTS (8587)

HAE KYUNG LEE & DANCERS A blessing by local Korean shamans starts this evening of butoh-influenced dance off on the right foot. CAL STATE L.A., State Playhouse, 5151 State University Dr.; 8 p.m. (323) 343-4118.

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