New York City: Saturday Workshop | NYC Retreat Weekend 2026

This afternoon workshop with Krishna Das brings chanting and a live Q&A to the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew on the Upper West Side of New York City. It is one part of a four-event NYC retreat weekend, and it suits anyone drawn to kirtan, devotional chanting and the bhakti yoga tradition, whether they have chanted for years or are simply curious about how a teacher of the practice thinks about it.

It runs from 3:00 to 5:30 pm and is led by Krishna Das, one of the best-known voices in kirtan.

What to Expect

The session combines group chanting with a question-and-answer period. Rather than a concert, it is a workshop: a chance to chant together and to put your questions about the practice directly to Krishna Das.

The workshop is the middle of a weekend that also includes two evening kirtans with Krishna Das, on Friday and Saturday nights, and a Saturday morning rhythmic sound journey with Arjun alongside Hanuman Chalisas with Nina Rao. The morning event is offered by donation, with proceeds supporting Saving Wild Tigers and the preservation of wild habitat in India. Each event is ticketed separately, and a bundle covers all four for those who want the whole weekend.

About Krishna Das

Krishna Das was born Jeffrey Kagel in 1947 and is a prominent figure in devotional music and kirtan, known for a deep, soulful voice and an ability to connect with audiences through chant. His path began in New York City in the 1970s, where he was drawn to the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba, a revered Indian guru. After a trip to India, where he immersed himself in the practice of bhakti yoga, he returned to the United States with a renewed sense of purpose.

He began sharing his experiences and his guru's teachings through music, leading kirtans that blend traditional Indian melodies with Western musical influences. That fusion has made the ancient practice of chanting accessible to many people who might not otherwise have encountered it.

The Setting

The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew stands at 86th Street and West End Avenue in Manhattan. Seating is general admission, in wooden pews on the main level and in the balconies. A limited amount of floor seating is available near the stage, and anyone who prefers to sit on the floor should bring their own pillow or blanket.

Before You Go

- Doors open at 2:30 pm, and check-in at will call begins around 2:00 pm. Arrive early to find your name on the will call list; those who join the line early get the best choice of seats.
- Once checked in, you receive a wristband for entry.
- Admission is general admission, so seats are not assigned.
- Bring your confirmation, printed or on your phone, to be scanned at entry. No paper tickets are mailed.
- Tickets are non-refundable.
- No prior experience with kirtan is needed to take part in a chanting workshop, though the material does not set any prerequisites either way.