Rumi Celebration Images

By davidschmit | Published: February 5, 2014

Here are some images from our annual Rumi Celebration, featuring the Wild Moon Bhaktas, Hakim Bushnell of Light Upon Light Sufi Center and the Rev. Ted Tollefson. We begin the program with an invocation, chanting with the Wild Moon Bhaktas, and then the band provides back-up music for the poetry recitation. Audience members share their often deeply moving, sometimes humorous and always rich, favorite Rumi poems. Pictured is our friend, Tom Esch, reciting Rumi’s highly regarded “Chick Pea” poem, which magically turns our common suffering into something inspiring and meaningful. In the second portion of the program, Hakim Bushnell leads us in sacred dance inspired by the Sufi Zikr. It is a marvel that Rumi’s astonishing poetry – now some 800 years old – still speaks to us so strongly. Thanks to poet-translator Coleman Barks and Robert Bly for giving us these lively English versions of the Sufi mystic’s work.

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photos: stevepetersonphotography.net

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Testimonial: B. Garland, Minneapolis, Minnesota

By davidschmit | Published: February 5, 2014

Thank you so much for reaching out to me at the kirtan last night. I was in a very altered state and could hardly talk to you! I was simply thinking that I needed to drive my friends home safely. HA! I also had a mystical experience the month before at your kirtan. Words are not a very good container for explaining any details. You have terms and understanding of what I am talking about that I don’t have in my conscious knowledge. I want to thank the Bhaktas and other kirtaners for their part in creating a Divine Sacred Space for all of us. It is a safe space for me to let go into the Infinite. Many, many blessings to you. -B.Garland, Minneapolis

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Testimonial: Theresa Z. of Bloomington, Minnesota

By davidschmit | Published: February 5, 2014

“This is my favorite CD! I find it very spiritually uplifting, moving, exciting and enriching. I have always gotten that from your [Wild Moon Bhaktas’] Kirtans but wasn’t sure what to expect with the CD. I was looking forward to it but it even surpassed my expectations. While it is able to still transport me spiritually it also allows me to hear even more clearly the musical talents of the band members! The CD offers me the option to chant along but I often find myself just listening to the artistry with which you play and sing. Your music is very unique with its wonderful blend of traditions — all of which I love and appreciate. No one else does what you do — and do so well. Thank you. Namaste.” –Theresa Z. Bloomington, MN.

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Testimonial: Joy Illikainen of Duluth, Minnesota

By davidschmit | Published: February 5, 2014

“The Wild Moon Bhaktas CD is one of my favorites! Their folk style and love of ancient poetry and texts are so exciting! Their music is mesmerizing and celebratory!!
The obvious musical & vocal talent has the listener ecstatically clapping hands in one moment and then meditating on a devotional chant in the next. You will hear traditional poems by the great ones, including Rumi, Kabir, and Mirabai infused throughout the CD. Don’t miss the LAST song on the CD….it is a gift!……Hara Hare Mahadeva Shambo, paying homage to The Great Mother River Ganga. No matter what mood I am in, this CD makes me smile right away!

“And their live Kirtans! David Schmit oozes India when he shares. I am not certain how to describe the depth of how I feel about the drums and violin too. Also, I wanted to say something about David Ballman’s amazing singing. I can honestly say the Wild Moon Bhaktas are as much fun to watch, as they are to listen to!”

Peace~ Joy Illikainen (Duluth, Minnesota)

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Rumi Celebration

By davidschmit | Published: December 18, 2013

Let the Beauty We Love

    by Jelalludin Rumi (version by Coleman Barks)

      If you wake up in the morning / Empty and scared / Don’t go to the study and read / Pick up a musical instrument and play. / Let the beauty we love, be what we do / There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.

    Our fourteenth annual Rumi Celebration, an evening of music, chanting, poetry and sacred dance is coming in just a few days – Sunday, December 22nd. This event grew out of love for Rumi’s mystical poetry and features the Wild Moon Bhaktas, Hakim Bushnell and friends, and Rev. Ted Tollefson. Many people bring their favorite Rumi poem and share it, while the Wild Moon Bhaktas provides background music for the recitation. Either way, join us! 7-9 pm. at the Center for Performing Arts, 3754 Pleasant Ave. South, Minneapolis. 55409. RumiNiteFlyer2013PDF

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November Event at Living Waters

By davidschmit | Published: December 18, 2013

The Wild Moon Bhaktas have been performing a regular chanting and kirtan event the second Saturday of the month at Living Waters Café / Center for Harmonious Living in Minnetonka, Minnesota for a couple of years now. It is a fine room, good for music; there is wholesome food and beverages right next door at the Café, and the owners are dedicated to promoting peace, harmony and spirituality in the world. In November of 2013, we were fortunate to have Barbara Meyer (pictured), local roots-music woman, vocalist and band leader join us. You might remember her at our CD Release party and she sings on our CD, From the Ganges to the Mississippi. Also playing with us was Mark Baker (pictured), who is well known as the drummer/percussionist with Kirtan Path. We thank these talented and spirited people for sharing their gifts with us!
Barbara Meyer MarkBaker

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More Bhakti-Fest Midwest

By davidschmit | Published: August 4, 2013

2013-07-05 18.36.57-1Kirtan and Chanting with the WIld Moon Bhaktas at Bhakti-Fest Midwest, July 5, 2013

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Wild Moon Bhaktas at the 2013 Bhakti-Fest Midwest

By davidschmit | Published: August 4, 2013

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The Wild Moon Bhaktas during their set at Bhakti-Fest Midwest

The Wild Moon Bhaktas during their set at Bhakti-Fest Midwest

The Wild Moon Bhaktas were excited to perform at Bhakti-Fest Midwest on Friday, July 5th, 2013. This was the second annual Midwest Fest held in Madison, Wisconsin. The Fest organizers put on an amazing three-day event featuring an array of kirtan groups and artists who performed on a wonderful stage under the blue summer skies and the evening stars, with cool workshops and yoga classes nearby, with lots of lovely people. We thank all the Minnesotans who have sung and chanted with us over the last four years of our band’s existence, and who were there in the audience. You made it all feel as though a bit of our home town was transported to Madison.Thank you! We also are grateful to all the new friends and contacts we made in Madison. There was much generosity and good spirit at the Fest A rare event! We urge you to plan on attending next year!

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2012 A Great Year for the Wild Moon Bhaktas

By davidschmit | Published: March 13, 2013

Welcome to the Wild Moon Bhaktas blog. 2012 was a great year for the group. We were busy bringing our music to a number of centers and spirit-places in the Twin Cities area. Yogis, sufis, seekers and friends on the spiritual path, and a host of others joined us to listen to our music and sing the sweet names of the Spirit. We are grateful.

The year drew to a close with two special events: On November 18th at One Yoga in Minneapolis, we celebrated the release of our CD, “From the Ganges to the Mississippi.” Lots of folks and friends filled the place up. We were fortunate to have songstress and roots music woman Barbara Meyer join us on vocals, guitar and percussion – she sings on the CD, with the talented Hanakia Zedek on percussion. Pascale LaPointe of Kirtan Path -who also sings on the CD – sang with us as well. It was a memorable night. The CD was two years in the making, and a real labor of love. You can download tracks through the Download menu option on our website. We hope it becomes a soundtrack for your spiritual life. Several of the pictures on the home page of our website were shot at this event.

The second special event to close out 2012 was on the last day – December 31st, for the Third Annual New Year’s Kirtan. Hosts and good friend from Kirtan Path, notably Pascale LaPoint organizes it. Kirtan Path and the Wild Moon Bhaktas played over fours of kirtan We also performed a ritual for the new year that envisioned planting “seeds” of things we hope will bloom in the coming year.

Rumi says:
“When love first tasted the lips of being human,
it started singing.

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Welcome!

By davidschmit | Published: October 8, 2012

Welcome to the brand new Wild Moon Bhaktas site.  We’re just getting started, so check back in often and see what we’ve added.

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  • Upcoming Appearances


  • Sunday, May 17, 2026
    6:00-8:00 pm
    (note earlier start)
    Great Mother Chant
    with the Wild Moon Bhaktas
    Our 9th Annual
    Communal Chanting Concert
    Featuring World Chants in Honor
    of the Divine Feminine
    at: Twin Cities Friends Meeting
    1725 Grand Ave. St. Paul, MN 55105
    $15 cash at door $18 debit or credit card
    (see flyer- this page)

    Sunday, June 21, 2026
    6:30-8:00 pm
    Summer Solstice
    with the Wild Moon Bhaktas
    An evening of communal chanting,
    kirtan & joy in honor of
    the longest day of the year
    at: Twin Cities Friends Meeting
    1725 Grand Ave. St. Paul, MN 55105
    $15 cash at door $18 credit/debit
    More to come!

  • Americana Kirtana

  • Rumi's Don't Go Back to Sleep

  • Sri Ram Jai Ram Kirtan