Alice Walker & Desert Rose

TAKING THE ARROW OUT OF THE HEART
An Evening with Alice Walker & Desert Rose - World Peace Day

"In this time of sorrow, when so many are reeling from the pain of earth loss, of beauty’s destruction, of oppression and challenge of every sort, I have felt encouraged and spiritually supported by the music of Desert Rose. I encountered them in Cape Town, South Africa in 2011, when they lent their message of harmony and peace to the Russell Tribunal on Palestine, in which I was participating. They have an indelible sound that reaches very deep. It is a joy to welcome them to Oakland."
~ Alice Walker

Join OneLife Institute and world renowned author and activist, Alice Walker, for an evening of inspired word and sacred music to heal and lift up.

Doors open at 7pm, event begins at 7:30pm. (Box office will open at 6:30pm)

Opening Drum Call & Libation with Baba Greg Hodge.

There is on-site parking in the lot behind the church and next door at Westlake Middle School. Enter via 27th St. (No parking in the front driveway, please. Drop offs only.)

After you park, please walk around to the front of the building to enter.

* ABOUT ALICE WALKER

Alice Walker is an internationally celebrated writer, poet and activist whose books include seven novels, four collections of short stories, four children’s books, and volumes of essays and poetry. She won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction in 1983 and the National Book Award. Her work has been translated into more than two dozen languages, and her books have sold more than fifteen million copies.

Walker has been an activist all of her adult life, and believes that learning to extend the range of our compassion is activity and work available to all. She is a staunch defender not only of human rights, but of the rights of all living beings. She is one of the world’s most prolific writers, yet continues to travel the world to literally stand on the side of the poor, and the economically, spiritually and politically oppressed. She also stands, however, on the side of the revolutionaries, teachers and leaders who seek change and transformation of the world.

Visit her blog: http://alicewalkersgarden.com

* ABOUT DESERT ROSE

For well over a decade, Desert Rose has produced and performed sacred world music based mostly on ancient chants in the Sufi, Buddhist, Vedic, Hindu, Hebrew, Sikh and Gregorian traditions. Their vocals include songs in Sanskrit, Arabic, Aramaic, Hebrew, Hindi, Gurmukhi, Latin, French and English. Since 2012, they have visited and performed in 15 countries and produced a total of 18 CDs within the sacred world music genres. Their journey has taken them to most continents in their quest to provide an experience of our oneness as spiritual beings and to promote our common humanity at events held for peace, nonviolence, interfaith and climate change awareness. Lynne Holmes and Yusuf Ganief are at the heart of Desert Rose, constantly exploring the creation and emergence of universal world music that allows the listener to access their inner worlds, facilitating healing and shifting of consciousness.

Visit their YouTube page for a wide sampling of their music: www.youtube.com/user/awakeningrose

* ABOUT ONELIFE INSTITUTE

OneLife is a POC-centered organization serving at the intersection of spirituality and social action. We nurture, inspire, and sustain people committed to healing and justice.

Visit: www.onelifeinstitute.org

* THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

• Oakland Peace Center

• Urban Peace Movement

• Authenticity Journey of Renewal

• Brotherhood of Elders Network

* ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY

First Congregational Church is wheelchair accessible through two entrances at the rear of the facility in the parking area. There is a ramp which gives access to the side Sanctuary door (tan double doors, just past the green door) and another entrance leading to most of the other rooms (blue door). Please contact us in advance if you are a wheelchair-user who would like parking reserved near to the ramp and/or if you will need assistance navigating the entrance.

There are several gender neutral bathrooms, at least one of which is ADA compliant. Hand soap in the restrooms is scent free.

Although we are not a fully fragrance-free event, we ask guests to please refrain from wearing strong scents or perfume, to make the space as safe and comfortable as possible for people who are sensitive.

Thank you!