MAY 2011: I've put together a small concert to generate some funds to forward to the Japan Red Cross. Details of the event to be held on Sunday, June 5th (2 concerts, 1Pm & 7pm) are below. The musicians are both world-class, and the space of a Zen meditation hall in Bellingham, WA will surely be healing. If you'd like to help spread the word, please send me an e-mail and I'll forward the press release and a concert flyer (in your preference of a pdf, pub, or word file) to post or forward to your contacts.

For those of you who live outsde of the Pacific NW area, or who are unable to attend; the CD "Shadows of Time" by the two featured musicians, Gary Stroutsos & David Revelli, is available for purchase on-line at my Charaku website, http://www.charaku-tea.com/teaaccessories4.html. From now through the month of June, 20% of each CD sold will be added to the benefit concert proceeds, of which 100% is being donated to Japan earthquake relief. Gary's CD, "Sacred Clay," featuring the clay instruments of ceramic artist Rod Kendall, is also available on-line, http://www.charaku-tea.com/teaaccessories10.html, and 20% of this recording's sales proceeds will go to the Mashiko Pottery Fund, established just days after the Tohoku Earthquake to help rebuild Mashiko's historic kilns, such as that at the Shoji Hamada Museum (Mashiko Sankokan,) and to help working potters re-establish kilns and inventory damaged by the quake. Shadows of Time, $15.00 / Sacred Clay $10.00; ships first-class in the US for $3.00.

Here are the benefit concert details:

WORLD MUSIC BENEFIT CONCERTS FOR JAPAN EARTHQUAKE / TSUNAMI RELIEF The Red Cedar Dharma Hall in Bellingham will host two benefit concerts for Japan Earthquake/Tsunami relief on Sunday, June 5th at 1:00pm and 7:00pm. Both shows will feature World Flute Artist Gary Stroutsos accompanied by Master Percussionist David Revelli.

Seattle-based Gary Stroutsos is an international performer, composer, and educator whose music is drawn from a variety of world cultures; including Native American, Asian, and American Jazz. His soundtrack work on the Ken Burns "Lewis & Clark" documentary led to a command performance at the White House for President Clinton, and his performance and recording work in sacred spaces has taken him from Buddhist temples in the mountains of central Japan to the depths of New Mexico's Canyon de Chelley National Monument, www.garystroutsos.com.

David Revelli's percussion reperatoire spans Western, Middle Eastern, East Indian, and African instruments. He has been a world-touring percussionist for such well-known names as Sheryl Crow, Jewel, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. He now makes his home in the Pacific Northwest and is a full-time educator. He has returned to the primal sounds of Middle Eastern frame drums and Nigerian clay udus that have complemented the haunting melodies of Stroutsos' flutes in performances around the region, and in their newly released CD, "Shadows of Time." These concerts are sure to insprire compassion, spirituality, and healing. Tickets: $20.00 at the door. All ticket proceeds go to Japan Earthquake relief. Tea will also be served by Charaku Fine Japanese Tea. www.charaku-tea.com.

Advance reservations and further information available at Charaku Fine Japanese Tea

206-660-4189. Red Cedar Dharma Hall is located at 1021 N. Forest Street, Bellingham, WA 98225. Directions: www.redcedarzen.org