TheosoFest offers food, fun and harmony
If you're not quite ready to bid farewell to the outdoor festival season, stop by the TheosoFest for a unique celebration for the mind, body and spirit from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Theosophical Society, 1926 N. Main St., Wheaton.
The festivities start with a discussion of the body's sacred energy and end with sitar music and a drumming circle set for 4:30 p.m. The hours in between are filled with workshops, demonstrations and talks on meditation, storytelling, chanting and healing traditions from India, China and other cultures.
"In a sense it's all about healing ... We try and make things relevant to people's lives," said Ruthann Fowler, program coordinator for the Theosophical Society. "There's a lot of stuff to do. A lot of it is very active. There really is something for everyone."
Music also will be a focus throughout the day with folk, instrumental and international melodies filling the grounds. And if you've always wanted to try a hand, or hip, at hula dancing, there will be demonstrations and basic instruction on the Hawaiian custom at 12:30 p.m. by Renee Luana Page and the Hulagans.
Visitors will be encouraged to wander the grounds with 40 acres of trees and water surrounding Theosophical Society of America 's national headquarters as well as offices for the society's publishing house, Quest Books.
Theosophists have been studying the relationships between religion, science and philosophy since the 1870s when Henry Steel Olcott, a lawyer and journalist, and Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, the first Russian woman to be naturalized as an American citizen, founded the Theosophical Society in New York City. They later moved to India and expanded the organization internationally.
The organization moved its U.S. administrative headquarters to Wheaton in the 1920s and built a stately building that now features the Olcott Library with two stories of shelves filled with books on science, philosophy and many world religions.
Behind the building is a walking labyrinth where participants may visit and walk at noon Saturday.
But TheosoFest isn't just about feeding the soul, there also will be plenty of vegetarian food from area restaurants, Fowler added.
Admission to TheosoFest is free although there is a $5 fee for parking on the grounds. More information is also available online at www.theosophical.org or by calling (630) 668-1571.
If you go
What: TheosoFest, a fall festival with speakers, activities, vegetarian food, vendors, a labyrinth, Hawaiian dances and the Sandalwood Sitar Music Concert
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Theosophical Society, 1926 N. Main St., Wheaton
Cost: Free, parking is $5
Call: (630) 668-1571 or visit www.theosophical.org