Coming together for one day of peace, love and music

VIRGINIA BEACH
If differences can be used to divide, they can also be used to unite.
 
Bob Young, local poet and retired educator, said the strength of Saturday’s One Love Festival at Virginia Wesleyan College lies in its diversity of faith systems, perspectives and backgrounds.
 
“What unites us is a common vision for peace through nonviolence,” he said. “After six years of being a part of this effort, I do get the sense that we are making a difference.”
 
Young hopes the festival inspires others to think about their role as agents of change for peace. Started as a music festival in 2006 by two Buddhist and Quaker musicians, it has evolved to broader community peace-building efforts. The event features workshops, performances, an open mic session and concert.
 
During the festival, Young and fellow poet Jack Callan will host the open mic session “Speak Your Peace.”
 
“It’s an opportunity for anyone to come forward and tell their story, in poetry, prose, song, dance, if they like,” Young said of the cafe-style session. Time at the microphone is determined by the number of participants.
 
The day’s main workshop, “Disarming Our Lives: The Spirituality of Nonviolence” is sponsored by the Bishop Sullivan Pax Christi Community. It features St. Louis activist, theologian and author Angie O’Gorman.
 
O’Gorman authored “The Book of Sins” and edited “The Universe Bends Toward Justice: A Reader in Christian Nonviolence in the U.S.”
 
Part of an international movement, Bishop Sullivan Pax Christi works toward a more just, sustainable and peaceful world. Pax Christi’s Mary Ann Keller will introduce O’Gorman, and said her workshop renews understanding of the Gospel and introduces the routine practice of nonviolence to enable its implementation in a crisis.
 
This is the first year Pax Christi has participated. Member Lucy Yatsko said it should be informative, transformative and fun.
 
“We’re happy to join the One Love Festival in celebration of peacemaking and the spirituality of nonviolence,” she said. “For one day, let’s talk, dance, sing and celebrate love.”
 
The Virginia World Rhythms Drum Circle workshop and performance is hosted by founder Arthur Lopez. Attendees are asked to bring hand drums, percussion instruments, congas, flutes, djembe and other nonamplified instruments for use in the drum circle.
 
Laura Jackson, media coordinator for the festival steering committee, said the festival’s events provide a creative forum for all faith systems and beliefs.
 
“The peace concert at the end embodies what the entire day is about,” she said.
 
The concert will feature a wide range of performers including Life Force Band, Virginia World Rhythms Drum Circle, Narissa Bond, Virginia Beach Friends School Soundwaves & Vibes, Vivian Teter, Eddie Dowe, Lawrence Lambert, Playback Theatre and Ebenezer Unity Choir. The performers are volunteers, and proceeds from a silent auction will help defray production costs.

Irene Bowers, bowersi@aol.com