Concert will benefit academy

Cultural diversity and ancient traditions will be celebrated at a benefit concert set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Pacific Buddhist Academy.

Performances will include ancient music of the Japa­nese imperial court and traditional Indian dance.

Kinnara Gagaku is a musical ensemble that performs gagaku music, which literally means "elegant or refined music," according to a news release. Introduced to Japan in the Nara period (697-794) from China, gagaku is the oldest court music in the world. The event will feature ceremonial dances performed in colorful costumes accompanied by gagaku music.

The dancers are members of the Arpana Dance Company, founded in 1982. Arpana means "offering" in Sanskrit. The dance company represents India’s diverse heritages, from Kashmir in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south, but all of the group’s dancers have grown up as citizens of the United States, the release said.

Tickets for the concert are $20 general admission, $10 for students. They may be purchased at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin business office at 1727 Pali Highway or by calling 536-7044. Proceeds from the event will support PBA’s capital campaign to build a new classroom facility. PBA is an independent high school that enrolls teens of all faiths. It integrates peace education and Buddhist values into its curriculum.