Who: Krishna Das, Lama Tenzin, Ani Choying Drolma, Manose
What: Benefit concert for Shedrub Development Fund
When: Saturday, January 13, $45 – $500, 8:00 (tickets are available here)
Where: Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, 263 West 86th St. at West End Ave.
Why: The third annual New York City benefit concert for the Shedrub Development Fund will take place at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew on the Upper West Side on January 13, raising money for Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche’s Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in Boudha, Kathmandu, known as the White Monastery, which was damaged in the devastating 2015 earthquake, along with the Nagi Gompa nunnery and other centers. The show, which follows one being held the night before at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston, will once again be headlined by Grammy-nominated singer Krishna Das, who specializes in the Hindu devotional chant music known as kirtan. Also returning is Lama Tenzin Sangpo, who escaped his native Tibet as a child and received his education and ordination from Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche at the shedra, becoming an accomplished chant master. They will be joined this year by Ani Choying, known as “Nepal’s rock star nun,” and Nepalese bansuri flute master Manose, who has released such meditative albums as The Call Within, Epiphany, and Notes from Home: Himalayan Folk Tunes. “This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to raise funds for an institution that’s helping many people,” Krishna Das said. “It’s also an opportunity to make a statement about how all the different spiritual paths are related and blend into each other.” It’s a reunion of sorts for the performers as well. “Growing up in Kathmandu, I went to school next to the monastery and it was a big part of my upbringing,” Manose explained. “I’ve known Ani Choying, who also grew up in the neighborhood, for more than three decades, and we’ve collaborated on projects together. I first met Krishna Das through the kirtan circuit and have loved sharing the kirtan spirit with him over the years.” And Ani Choying described Lama Tenzin as “a Dharma brother I’ve known since my first day of monastic life.” Award-winning film composer John McDowell (Born into Brothels, Sold) serves as music director for the two evenings. Tickets for the New York City concert begin at $45 for general admission and $150 for preferred seating and are available here; some tiers are already sold out. Patrons who donate $500 or more also are invited to a catered preconcert reception with the artists. (You can watch a video of the rebuilding effort here.)