Andrea Sullivan performs with the Wild Moon Bhaktas

By davidschmit | Published: March 5, 2019

Andrea Sullivan will by performing with the group periodically. Andrea brings years of experience as a performing musician and kirtan and chanting lover. She sings, plays the harp and violin. Join us in welcoming Andrea to the group!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Why Not Wake Up? Our Second CD Release

By davidschmit | Published: March 5, 2019

We are happy to announce the release of our second CD! Lovingly created over four years! Includes some of our favorite chants, Om Mani Padme Hum, La Illaha, Durgayai, Rama Bolo, and Why Not Wake Up? We recorded with expert world beat engineer Greg Shutte at Bathtub Shrine Studio. Guests artists included Barbara Meyer and Kitty Newton on vocals, Greg Shutte on percussion, Peter Schimke on keyboards and Blair Krivanek on guitar. And of course, the Wild Moon Bhaktas, Gary Waryan, tablas, David Ballman, vocals, tambura and percussion, Christine Larson, vocals and violin and David Schmit, vocals, guitars and accordion.

Back cover of the CD
Inside CD Sleeve
Inside CD Sleeve
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Communal Chanting with the Wild Moon Bhaktas

By davidschmit | Published: March 5, 2019

We keep on keepin’ on! The Wild Moon Bhaktas have played well over 100 chanting, kirtan & spiritual music events in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Here is a portion of a poem by Kabir, the 15th century Indian luminary of the Bhakti-Yoga movement:

Throw away all thoughts of imaginary things, and stand firm in who, you, are. If you don’t break your ropes, while you are still alive, do you think ghosts will do it for you after? If you make love with the Divine now, in the next life, you will have the face of satified desire.

The Wild Moon Bhaktas with special guest Will Kemperman, playing at Tula Yoga in 2018
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Our 9th Year!

By davidschmit | Published: August 24, 2018

October 2018 will mark our 9th year leading chanting and kirtan events in Minnesota.  We look forward to another year of communal chanting, sacred music, joy, spiritual awareness and deepening consciousness.  Join us for one of our events.  Here is the flyer for our next event, Saturday, September 8th at Big River Yoga in Minneapolis.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

2018 Great Mother Chant

By davidschmit | Published: August 24, 2018

Our 4th Annual Great Mother Chant – three hours of chanting in honor of the Divine Feminine  – was held May 12, 2018 at Tula Yoga in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Chanting leaders  Colleen Buckman – Kalyani and Temple of Light joined the Wild Moon Bhaktas for this special evening of communal chanting and music.  We chanted nothing but chants to the Great Mother Power!   Thanks to Tula Yoga for hosting the event! As part of the event, a donation to Friends of the Mississippi was made to support their environmental work.  Here are some pictures from the evening.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Door of My Heart; The Chants of Paramahansa Yogananda

By davidschmit | Published: February 14, 2018

On January 13, 2018, The Wild Moon Bhaktas joined with Rev. Alan Pritz for a night of  Paramahansa Yogananda’s chants and songs.  The program was held in the beautiful Weyerhauser Auditorium at Macalester College and was attended by over seventy people.  Some attendess came from as far away as Rochester, MN.  Yogananda was born in January 1893, so our event was held within days of his 125th birthday.

Yogananda, who was one of the first Indians to bring yoga and meditation to the West, was also a fine musician and composed many sacred chants.  The Wild Moon Bhaktas have been performing his music since the band began in 2009.  It was a delight to spend an evening playing nothing but his music!

Plans are underway to offer the program again next year.  We are grateful to Rev. Alan who worked hard to bring the program into  manifestation.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Nineteenth Annual Rumi Celebration

By davidschmit | Published: January 3, 2018

On Sunday, December 17, 2017, the Wild Moon Bhaktas, Hakim Bushnell of Light Upon Light Sufi Center and Rev. Ted Tollefson and friends (Dianne Gamm and Kristen Eide-Tollefson) put on the 19th Annual Rumi Celebration at Tula Yoga and Wellness, in St. Paul, MN.  Over 120 people attended this unique night featuring music, chanting, Rumi’s ecstatic poetry and sacred dance in honor of Sufism’s greatest poet.  The Wild Moon Bhaktas lead chanting and then create a musical groove and people come up to an open mic to recite their favorite Rumi poems.  A truly magical night of mysticism and musical beauty.   Look for the 20th Annual Rumi Celebration, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018.  Below are scenes from the evening.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Candle Light Chanting at Tula Yoga with the Wild Moon Bhaktas

By davidschmit | Published: November 3, 2017

The Wild Moon Bhaktas return to Tula Yoga in St. Paul for a special evening of candle light chanting.  Join us!  No experience necessary.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Third Annual Great Mother Chant

By davidschmit | Published: May 29, 2017

Our annual Great Mother Chant featuring the Wild Moon Bhaktas, Temple of Light and Kalyani (Colleen Buckman) happened at Tula Yoga in St. Paul on May 13.  We raised $320 for the climate change advocacy group, the 350 movement.  Thanks to Tula Yoga for making their wonderful space available, and gratitude to all the musicians who dedicated their time and talents to our night of chanting for the Divine Feminine.  Much gratitude also to the many people who turned out for the event.  Jai Ma!

Temple of Light at the 2017 Great Mother Chant 

Kalyani (Colleen Buckman) performing with Will Kemperman

The Wild Moon Bhaktas at the 2017 Great Mother Chant

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Third Annual Great Mother Chant

By davidschmit | Published: April 14, 2017

Don’t miss our Third Annual Great Mother Chant, coming up Saturday, May 13, 2017, from 7 -10 pm, at Tula Yoga Center, St. Paul, MN.

Three hours of chanting and spiritual music in honor of the Divine Feminine.  With the Wild Moon Bhaktas, Temple of Light and Colleen Buckman (Kalyani).  Recommended door $13-25  A portion of the proceeds go to environmental causes.  We hope to see you there!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

  • Upcoming Appearances

    • Saturday, Oct. 26, An evening of chanting, kirtan & spiritual song.  First Unitarian Society, 900 Mt. Curve Ave. Mpls. 55403  7:30-9:30 pm.  Suggested donation $10-15.
      Under site:  firstunitarian.org
      Under description:  No experience necessary
    • Saturday, Nov. 9, Wild Moon Bhaktas’ Ten Year Anniversary!  Tula Yoga, 99 Snelling Ave. N.  St. Paul, 55105.  7:30-9:30 pm.  Suggested donation $10-15
      Under site:  www.tulayogawellness.com
      Under description:  No experience necessary!  With the Wild Moon Bhaktas Six Piece Big Band.