Stefan Waligur (“Macushla”) will perform a concert on May 8, 7 p.m., at Grace Episcopal Church, Allentown, and lead a retreat/workshop on May 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In both appearances, Macushla will be joined by singer Marcy Baruch and percussionist Stephen Bross.

Macushla is a contemplative/musician whose vision has been shaped by diverse chanting traditions, including Thich Nhat Hanh’s Zen Buddhist center at Plum Village, France; the Taizé Community, in France; and the Shantivanam Hindu Ashram, in India.

Song and relaxation silence enhance the meditative process, which protects the brain’s cortex from aging and boosts telomerase, an enzyme that enlarges the cap on the telemeres. Experimenters using imaging techniques, have shown that certain zones of the cortex enlarge with meditation.

Cost is $10 for concert/free will offering for retreat. Location: 108 N. Fifth St., Allentown. Lunch is available for $7. RSVP for the Retreat/Workshop to Mary Louise Bross at 610-691-2684 or [email protected]. To sample Macushla’s music, visit SongsOfPeace.net.