Tony Khalife is a singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, yogi, artist, teacher, child-soldier, and messenger of love and peace. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, in the spring of 1964, Khalife knew at a very young age that he wanted to be a musician but the Civil War soon marked the end of his childhood. Drafted into a local militia, Khalife learned to handle a gun instead of a guitar or schoolbooks. When gunmen stormed the Khalife home the family was forced to leave, hiding in an underground room. Here, Khalife taught himself to play the guitar. His journey since has been a lifelong search for musical truth with a mission to raise the world’s vibration through music, to be the melody of peace overpowering the guns of war.
Khalife will present a free wellness workshop, “Sanskrit Chants & Sacred Syllables.” The workshop will begin using a harmonium (a lap accordion) to teach the breath and the singing practice of seed syllables (Bija Mantras) in a meditative state, then will transition into an ecstatic singalong/call and response (Kirtan) with guitar in Sanskrit. No musical experience is required.
As part of the University of Illinois, Krannert Center follows U of I guidelines regarding face coverings and other COVID-19 safety protocols. These guidelines change as conditions change, so we will continue to adjust our practices and keep you informed throughout the season. At this time, face coverings are required in indoor university spaces such as Krannert Center. In addition, people who are NOT fully vaccinated are required to wear a face covering outdoors when they cannot practice social distancing.