An evening of Rumi’s poetry in performance,
read by Zara Houshmand
with music by Robert Heirendt & Friends
On a moonlit night in the magical forest setting of the North Columbia Schoolhouse amphitheater, poet & translator Zara Houshmand will read her translations of the great Sufi mystic poet, along with Robert Heirendt & Friends performing new compositions inspired by Rumi’s poems and improvisations in dialog with the poetry.
Friday, September 1st. Doors at 7, show at 7:30~ $20 at the door.
tickets available at Mother Truckers or online HERE.
Zara Houshmand first began translating Rumi twenty years ago, as a way of studying deeply the13th century Sufi mystic poet who wrote of ecstatic love, spiritual longing, and the deepest of human friendships. Her poem-a-day practice was shared online, where musician/composer Robert Heirendt discovered these translations of Rumi’s quatrains and was inspired by them. Recently, Zara and Robert were surprised to find themselves neighbors here in the Sierra foothills. The poems were finally published in a beautiful bilingual book, Moon and Sun, just as Covid struck. Reading these poems again intensively during the initial shelter-in-place Robert was inspired to create new compositions. As we emerge now from those quiet months, it’s time for a celebration of poetry and music.
Singer/Songwriter/Composer/Producer Robert Heirendt’s artistic vision is about interweaving. From the weaving together of diverse roots music influences, complex patterns, juxtaposed rhythms, experiences, and feelings, he strives to create sounds and textures which take the listener to new places. A multi-instrumentalist, Robert specializes in the mbira dzavadzimu, a type of kalimba instrument from Zimbabwe. He has studied traditional Zimbabwaen trance music for over a decade. Prior to this, he played keyboards in many bands beginning in the 1980s. A few of his primary musical influences are The Beatles, Bill Monroe, Andrew Bird, JS Bach, Miles Davis, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and David Sylvian. Robert works as a music therapist/social worker, using music to help children and families connect with their higher selves. He currently plays in the free jazz/groove band Tumble.
Musician friends that will also be performing are:
Tim Bulkley – Vibes
Murray Campbell – English Horn & Violin
Karl Chelette – Bass
Robert Heirendt – Mbira
Randy McKean – Reeds