Date: Jan 20, 2011

Embark on the Musical, Mystical Journey of George Harrison

February 11, 2011, 8 p.m., at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse; Featuring Musicians from The Alan Parsons Project

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – To celebrate the music and spiritualism of pop superstar George Harrison, Godfrey Townsend and other musicians from The Alan Parsons Project will join an ensemble of Indian Kirtan musicians to perform “Here Comes the Sun” – The Musical, Mystical Journey of George Harrison. This concert will take place at Hofstra University’s John Cranford Adams Playhouse, South Campus, on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $10 each, general admission. Proceeds benefit a scholarship fund for the School for University Studies. Members of the Hofstra community may receive two free tickets upon presentation of a current HofstraCard. For tickets and more information call the Hofstra Box Office at (516) 463-6644.

“Here Comes the Sun” uses music from The Beatles era, Indian Kirtan  music and meditative chanting and power point technology to delve into Harrison’s spiritualism and humanitarian interests. The performance offers a fascinating look into the life and legacy of the music legend turned mystic, who passed away from cancer in November 2001. “Here Comes the Sun” has toured the country to sell-out crowds.

Hofstra’s Hinduism instructor, Joshua M. Greene, will officiate the concert. Greene studied yoga with Harrison in the early 1970s. The concert is based on Greene’s bestselling biography “Here Comes the Sun,” and his narration through the show reveals Harrison’s trials and triumphs and his excursion into meditation and yoga. In addition to his duties at Hofstra, Greene teaches philosophy at Jivamukti Yoga School and Integral Yoga in Manhattan.

Leading The Alan Parsons Project band is popular singer-guitarist Godfrey Townsend, who has performed with such rock greats as Jack Bruce from Cream and John Entwistle from The Who. The band also features Long Island musicians Tommy Williams and John Montagna on guitar, and Mike Bellusci on drums.

Godfrey Townsend will also take part in an "Unplugged" event on Friday, February 11, at 12:30 p.m. at the Guthart Cultural Center Theater, 1st Floor Axinn Library. Townsend will meet with Hofstra students at this time to talk about his life on the road as a rock n' roll musician and about the many music legends with whom he has performed. Admission to "Unplugged" is free.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students' interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.

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