Hsi Lai Temple plans music and arts festival on June 21

From indie folk and atmospheric alternative to Chinese drum troupe and zither music, a diverse lineup of Los Angeles area musicians is slated to play the First Annual Hsi Lai Temple Music and Arts Festival this month.

The free family event, the first of its kind at the location, will take place Saturday, June 21, from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the courtyard of the temple, located at 3456 Glenmark Drive in Hacienda Heights.

Also featured will be a showing and sale of works by a selection of artists and craftspeople — some working on site — along with vegetarian food booths, book sales, face painting and more. Public areas of the facility will be open during the event, which marks the temple’s 25th anniversary.

Local musicians and artists were publicly invited to submit their works for consideration for this event, whose theme is practicing compassion through music and art. More information is on the festival’s Facebook page, facebook.com/hltmusicandarts.

Among the bands will be The Zero Summers, who describe their music as “bossa garage anti-pop”; Ever In Bloom, a “new-age/old-school/ melodic-poetic” band centered on three close friends and songwriters; and Alnilam, whose music combines dreamy atmospheric sounds, vivid images and soaring harmonies. Also appearing will be Red On Strike, who will perform a semi-acoustic set of late ‘90s post-punk rock; indie retro folk-pop duo The Gypsy Lights; and The Lotus Band, whose soulful alternative music seeks to inspire listeners to contemplate a mindful, positive life.

Participating visual artists will include artist and Emmy-winning animator Donna Kay Lau, who has worked on Dora the Explorer, CatDog, Oswald the Octopus, Generator Rex and other series for Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. She is also designer of two clothing lines, Art is On! and Surf Soup Surf Couture.
Also appearing  will be Hollywood concept artist Chris Ayres, author of the Daily Zoo books, which began as a sketchbook started as part of Ayres’ cancer healing process. Dr. Nancy Cowardin, creator of the Parade of the Buddhas and Silk Road Map triptychs for the international Buddha’s Birthday Education Project, will be showing and selling her art along with Yaya Tam. Helen Stiver will be displaying and selling her exquisitely handcrafted jewelry.
 
“Buddhism is the way to understand the heart,” says Venerable Hui Dong, Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple. “Music and art are also means that touch heart. By putting them together, the festival is in fact a journey to the deepest of one’s heart.”

Young artists taught at Hacienda Heights Library

Learn to draw and paint at the Hacienda Heights Library with a professional artist from Theatre of Hearts Youth First Artist-in-Residence program.

The workshops will be held Fridays, beginning Feb. 1, from 3 to 4 p.m.
Kids can discover their creative side and exhibit their work in a special exhibition. Sign-ups are required.The program is designed for students in fourth through eighth grades.

Then celebrate Chinese New Year on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 3 to 4 p.m. with a concert by Hacienda Heights’ own Sound of China Music Ensemble.
The performance will include traditional Chinese musical instruments such as guzheng, pipa and yangqin.

The library is at 16010 La Monde St., Hacienda Heights. For more information, call 626-968-9356.