Ater a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Orleans Sacred Music Festival is making a highly anticipated return for its eighth year. This free, day-long event celebrates spiritual traditions from around the world through music, art, and food, aiming to foster unity and healing within the community.
Throughout the day, a diverse lineup of performers will bring sacred sounds from various spiritual traditions to the festival’s stages. Among the scheduled acts:
- The Drepung Gomang Monks – Traditional Tibetan chants and rituals
- John Boutté – New Orleans jazz and gospel
- Sean Johnson and The Wild Lotus Band – Mantra music blending Eastern and Western influences
- La Source Ancienne Ounfo – Vodou ceremony featuring drumming and spiritual invocation
- New Orleans Zen Temple Choir – Buddhist chants
- Tonya Boyd’s Youth Choir – A celebration of gospel music
- Gorealla Strong – A collaborative performance with King Sia, D. Strong, Sonny D504, and Aysakshi Kewe
- Muslim Call to Prayer – A sacred recitation
- Hindu Fire Sacrifice with Yogindra Vandana Das – A traditional offering ceremony
- Andrew Wiseman and Ewe Ensemble – West African spiritual drumming
The festival aims to “harness the power of sacred music to heal, uplift, and awaken the profound connections that run through our diverse cultures and communities.”
Additionally, festival-goers can explore sacred altars created by interfaith artists, browse an international market featuring handcrafted goods, and enjoy a diverse selection of global cuisine and crafts.
The New Orleans Sacred Music Festival is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. It provides a rare opportunity to experience sacred traditions from around the world in a single, inclusive space—celebrating the city’s rich spiritual and cultural diversity. The Sacred Music Festival takes place Saturday, March 22 at the New Orleans Healing Center (2372 St. Claude Avenue).
For more details, visit neworleanshealingcenter.org.
