Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick, 1 Middle St. in Brunswick.

The event is part of the Concerts for a Cause series hosted by the church as a part of the church’s commitment to the arts and to supporting the important work of local non-profits. Two-thirds of the proceeds from the 2018-19 concert series will be donated to two area charities: The Gathering Place and The Brunswick Teen Center. Each performing group is chosen for its appeal to all ages, including children.

Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm is an all-women’s percussion and vocal ensemble dedicated to cultural diversity, education and healing through the universal language of music. The roots of band’s music come from traditional world songs and rhythms of Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and other indigenous cultures. Blended with their own western vocal harmonies, they bring forth an ancient sacred sound that feeds the soul and lightens the heart.

The band was originally created by the participants of a drum class in Alna in 1989. At their first official concert during Winter Solstice, the women of Inanna witnessed the power of the drum in its role of building conscious community and of cultivating great joy. The group takes its name from an ancient Sumerian goddess who held reign more than 4,000 years ago during a period when it is believed that drummers and dancers were predominantly women. The ensemble chose the name of this goddess in the hopes of raising awareness of the need for divine feminine energies to bring about balance to our planet.

Together for 28 years, the band has recorded six full-length albums, been invited to schools to teach drumming and world cultures to youth, and have performed extensively at numerous percussion festivals and community events. Members of the ensemble have traveled throughout the world to study with master drummers including Famoudou Konaté, Yaya Diallo, Layne Redmond, Glen Velez and Babatunde Olatunji.

Members of the band include: Annegret Baier, a German native with a degree from the University of Music in Stuttgart; Tori Morrill, of Palermo, has been studying world music for more than 25 years; Shirsten Lundblad, of Brunswick, has a Masters in Divinity degree from Harvard, and makes her living as a massage therapist, yoga teacher and musician.

Tickets cost $12 in advance or $15 at the door. $8 for students and children.

For tickets, call the church office at 729-8515.