Whirling dervishes and more at 2-day Music and Meditation Festival in Surrey
Published 9:33 am Friday, August 7, 2026
1/3
Swipe or click to see more
Whirling Dervishes of Rumi Canada.
(Contributed photo)
2/3
Swipe or click to see more
Sitarist Sharanjeet Singh Mand at Music and Meditation Festival in 2024.
(Contributed photo)
3/3
Swipe or click to see more
Singer Willoria will perform at the 2026 Music and Meditation Festival in Surrey on Sunday, Aug. 16.
(AZIZ/Contributed photo)
The 2026 Music and Meditation Festival features two events at different sites in Surrey on the weekend of Aug. 15-16
“This year we are including a very unique event for Surrey, Persian music with whirling dervishes,” says Linda Chawla, artistic director of Transformational Theatre Society, about the kickoff concert at Newton Cultural Centre on Saturday, Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m. start
The evening event will showcase the poetry of Rumi along with music of Amir Koushkani (tar) and Atin Cheraghchi (percussion). “They will be accompanied by the mesmerizing whirling dervishes of Rumi Canada, in an atmosphere designed to nourish the heart and mind,” Chawla added. “This event sets the tone for the two-day festival in Surrey.”
On Sunday (Aug. 16), the festival shifts locations to Bear Creek Park’s northwest corner from noon to 5 p.m., for Music and Meditation in the Park. Admission is free for a day of multi-cultural performances “as we take a journey through different states of awareness brought about through music, from the healing sounds of the crystal bowls to the sublime strings of the sitar,” Chawla says
“This year Jeanette Bernal Singh, formerly of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, will lead a healing workshop, followed by meditative songs by Gagarin Life featuring Willoria, and Sharanjeet Singh Mand will give a sitar performance. As well as meditative music, Music and Meditation in the Park will include a whirling workshop, creative activities for children and meditation sessions led by Sahaja Yoga BC
Admission to Saturday’s event is by donation ($20 suggested) on eventbrite.ca. Learn more on transformationaltheatre.com
