Its quite heartening to know about the ‘kirtan’ movement, and how active and alive it is the bay area. ‘Kirtan’ means a rendition of music as you pray to the God, a kind of call-and-response chanting performed in India’s devotional traditions (in Sankrit). It is a major practice in Vaisnava north Indian Hindu religious context as well as in Sikhism and Sant traditions. What makes this movemen different in US is that looks like there is rarely an Indian participating in it! So a rare kind of Hindu manifestation that is finding adherents in the West (like Yoga). And talking of such liberal tranditions in American society, where else to find this but in the northern california, and around Berkeley.

The idea of Kirtan in US started with Paramhansa Yogananda and later spead with Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Its becoming increasingly popular at the Yoga Centers.
There are various active meet-up groups that are bringing people together for Kirtans. For example, the Bay Area Kirtan Lovers group is ‘for people who love kirtan, or for anyone who is curious about it. If you enjoy the music of Krishna Das, Snatam Kaur, Jai Uttal, Deva Premal, Karnamrita Dasi, Ragani, Mukti, Jaya Lakshmi, Dave Stringer and other kirtan artists, then this group is for you!’
The group which meets for one kirtan per month in the San Francisco Bay Area. Members sometimes also get together either before or after a kirtan, sharing a meal or dessert/tea, so they can get to know each other better as well and “experience some wonderful synchronities”! ‘Those who haven’t yet experienced kirtan, but are interested in spirituality, yoga, meditation, music, etc. are also welcome to join the group and check it out. Sometimes car-pooling may be available with other members.’
The Kirtan groups shun some commercial aspects, like someone coming to promote yoga classes.
There are various Kirtan updates available on http://www.boloma.com/ – that have further links into various recurring bhakti and Kirtan related events in the San Fransisco Bay Area.