Splendor of the East - Cultural Show Event

A reminder that Council of Asian Pacific Americans brings to you their Annual Spectacular Cultural show called "Splendor of the East 2010" on Friday, May 14th, 2010 at 7:00pm at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center at 15801 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, Michigan.

Tickets for the event are now on sale here. For more information please contact Mumtaz Haque at mumtaz@capa-mi.org or call her at 248-703-6228. You can also contact Robert D. Riparip at bob@capa-mi.org or call him at 248-680-0877.

Check out this video from the event held last year (2009)

Classic and Contemporary Hindi Film Music event in Metro Detroit

MAI Family Services brings to you "Sureele Sapne" - a Classic and Contemporary Hindi Film Music event on Saturday April 24th, 2010. The event will feature:
Vocals: Sanjeev and Armeen Ramabhadran
Tabla/Percussion: Prasad Joshi
Drums: Sachin Ramabhadran
Keyboard: Rohan Prabhudesai

The event will be held at The Millennium Center, 15600 J.L. Hudson Drive, Southfield, MI 48075. The event starts with a social hour at 6.00 PM and then the Program begins at 7.15 PM. For tickets please visit MAIFS website.

About MAIFS:

MAI Family Services is a non-profit 501 (C)(3), tax-exempt organization that was established in 1986 as a support system for South Asians (those of Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Maldivian and Bhutanese origin) in Michigan. MAI Family Services’ mission is: (1) to provide confidential, professional and free counseling services and referrals and (2) to promote awareness of mental health problems, domestic violence and other issues through education and training. For more details visit MAIFS website.

Indian Dance Event in Detroit

Ragmala Dance will be perfoming at Detroit Music Hall on April 24, 2010 at 8:00PM (preglow cocktail hour at 6:30PM). For tickets visit Detroit Music Hall website.

Ragamala brings their audiences a synthesis of philosophy, spirituality and mythology retold through music and movement. Rooted in Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form from southern India, Ragamala blends dance, music, and poetry. Old forms are used in new ways to retain the past, enhance the present, and inspire the future.. Their performances through - London, Indonesia, Russia, Taiwan and Japan, have captivated audiences worldwide.

Indian Music event in Saginaw, Michigan

The White Crow Conservatory of Music presents "SUMKALI" - Music from India in Saginaw, Michigan.

From the event Brochure:

A fresh take on a 2000 year old tradition, Sumkali will transport you half way around the world with the sounds of India. This highly rhythmic and energetic group plays music from North and South India, fused with American Grooves.

This event will take place on Saturday, April 17th, 2010 at 7.00 pm at 3736 Mackinaw St. Saginaw, MI 48602.

Visit sumkali.com for more details

Michigan International Chamber of Commerce event.

Michigan International Chamber of Commerce hosts its monthly meeting on Friday April 16th.

Guest Speaker for this event will be Detroit Free Press Columnist and Emmy Award Winning Journalist Carol Cain. This meeting will also have a panel discussion with attorneys from leading companies and individual practice. The Discussion will be on Intellectual Property; Online Privacy; International Business Laws; Patents & Trademarks, Michigan Small Business Taxes.

The event will take place from 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm at Hotel Baronette, 27790 Novi Road, Novi, MI 48377-3422. Please register for this event at miicc.com

Event Agenda

7:00 pm to 7:30 pm : Registration & General Networking
7:30 pm to 8:00 pm : MIICC overview & Opening Remarks
8:00 pm to 8:30 pm : Dinner
8:30 pm to 9:30 pm : Main presentation & Panel Discussion
9:30 pm to 11:00 pm : Round Table Introductions – Networking
11:00 pm : Adjourn

A R Rahman comes to Michigan on June 19th, 2010

"Mozart of Madras" is coming to Michigan.

A.R. Rahman, Grammy and Academy Award winning music director and composer, best known for "Slumdog Millionaire," will be performing live at Pontiac Silverdome on Saturday, June 19, 2010.

On his forthcoming tour, Rahman will collaborate with creative director Amy Tinkham who is known for creating live musical concerts for a variety of pop-music icons including Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and Mariah Carey.

“A.R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour” will be a theatrical experience that will blend new technologies with powerful dance arrangements and acrobatics. The concert will keep intact the heritage and traditions of India with a new modern presentation. The show will feature changing sets, large images on LED screens and a spectacular cast of musicians and dancers from across the globe.

The tour will not only feature Rahman's music, but also dance arrangements and acrobatics inspired by his native India. A press release described the concert as a "theatrical experience" utilizing "new technologies."

Venue: Pontiac Silverdome
Address: Address: 1200 Featherstone Road, Pontiac, MI 48342
Time: 8:00 PM
Ticket Price: $50, $70, $90, $110, $150, $200, & VIP

You can buy tickets at: http://www.dhartionline.com

For more info: Send email to mail@dhartionline.com
Call Saleem Siddiqui 734-255-2505

Diwali in Michigan

Diwali (2010) is months away but the planning for a Diwali Concert has already started. DreamZ India is one such organization planning a Diwali Concert on October 23rd. The concert will feature Anwesha (Amul Star Voice of India fame) along with co-singers Trijoy and Bandita accompanied by top-notch musicians from bollywood combined with local dance troupes.

All choreographers and dance teachers from Michigan interested in participating in this event are being requested to contact DreamZ India at diwali@dreamzindiaonline.com

For business and sponsorship opportunities please contact DreamZ India at diwali@dreamzindiaonline.com All profit from this event will be donated to various educational and children's welfare organization in Michigan. For more details visit DreamZ India.

Splendor of the East 2010

Council of Asian Pacific Americans brings to you their Annual Spectacular Cultural show called "Splendor of the East 2010". This event will be held on Friday, May 14th, 2010 at 7:00pm at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center at 15801 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, Michigan.

As in years past, the “Splendor of the East” program will promote the unique cultural heritage of Asian Pacific cultures through spectacular musical and dance performances exhibiting the colorful cultures of our neighbors on the other side of the globe.

Tickets for the event are now on sale here. For more information please contact Mumtaz Haque at mumtaz@capa-mi.org or call her at 248-703-6228. You can also contact Robert D. Riparip at bob@capa-mi.org or call him at 248-680-0877.

Bhangra Fusion - A Punjabi Dance Music event comes to Detroit

Bhangra Fusion Eleven a Punjabi Dance and Music event takes place this Saturday, March 20th at the Fillmore Detroit (formerly known as the State Theatre) in Detroit, Michigan.

Bhangra Fusion is an annual professional competition where teams compete against one another, demonstrating a fusion of culture and creativity. This year marks the eleventh competition since Bhangra Fusion One back in 2000. For more details on the Detroit Bhangra Fusion event please visit Bhangra Fusion website.



So what is Bhangra

Bhangra is a lively form of folk music and dance that originates from Punjab. People traditionally performed Bhangra when celebrating the harvest. During Bhangra, people sing Punjabi Boliyaan lyrics, at least one person plays the the dhol drum, and other people may play the flute, dholak drum, or other musical instruments. While Bhangra began as a part of harvest festival celebrations, it eventually became a part of such diverse occasions as weddings and New Year celebrations. Moreover, during the last thirty years, Bhangra has enjoyed a surge in popularity worldwide, both in traditional form and as a fusion with genres such as hip-hop, house, and reggae.

Indian Dance and Music event in Traverse City, Michigan

The Dennos Musuem Center at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City will present the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble in collaboration with the Wharton Center at MSU on Sat, March 20 at 8:00 pm in the Milliken Auditorium.

So what is Nriyagram Dance Ensemble?

The Nrityagram Dance Ensemble is much more than just a dance company. It is a crucible of inspiration and ideas, a coming together of creative minds. It is a space where dancers, musicians and choreographers live together for years, developing their skill, perfecting their technique and complementing their learning of dance with a study of mythology and the epics, Sanskit and yoga, meditation and the martial arts.

Tickets for this event are $25 in advance, $28 at the door, $22 for Museum members. Tickets may be be purchased by calling 231-995-1553 or on line at www.dennosmuseum.org.

In addition to the public performance, the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble will be performing two concerts during the day for schools in Milliken Auditorium on March 19. For more information contact Diana Bolander at 231-995-1029.

Opening in association with the dance concert will be a photographic exhibition on Varanasi, India by Chicago based photographer Larry Snider. An exhibition preview will take place at the Dennos for concert goers from 7-8 before the dance concert.

Indian Community in Grand Rapids area to celebrate India's cultural Holidays

India Link a non-profit organization in the Grand Rapids area is sponsoring Springfest 2010, a simultaneous celebration of the Hindu holiday, Holi, and Baisakhi, a Sikh harvest festival.

The cultural gala will be celebrated at 6 p.m., March 27 at East Grand Rapids High School. All are welcome to attend. The Mardi Gras-like festivities include cultural dances, traditional Indian costumes, an array of Indian cuisine and music.

For more information visit India Link website.

(via MLive.com)

"The Sky Below" to be screened at Michigan State University

"The Sky Below" a documentary film which looks back at the division of India and Pakistan back in 1947, will be screened on March 18th in Room B106 of Michigan State University's Wells Hall. Admission is free. Director Sarah Singh of "The Sky Below" will be present at the screening. A Q&A and a reception will follow the film.

(via Lansing City Pulse)

Shreelina Ghosh of Michigan travels to Kolkata for Odissi Dance Performance

Michigan-based Odissi performer the talented Shreelina Ghosh will present Shivārādhanā at Gyan Mancha, Kolkata, on Sunday, 7th March 2010, at 7:00 p.m. This is a Shinjan Nrityalaya presentation.

The artist will explore and worship the facets of Shiva and his consort, Shivā (Parvati) through a collage of traditional and new choreographies. The recital will portray the inseparable duality in the universe: Matter and Consciousness, Purusha and Prakriti represented by Shiva and Pārvati, through the spiritual expressions of tāndava and lāsya.

Pakhwaj: Guru Giridhari Nayak
Sitar: Sri Sukhomoy Bhattacharya
Vocal: Sri Bishwajit Ghosh
Flute: Sri Jayanta Chatterjee

Shreelina has undergone twenty-five years of rigorous training under the able tutelage of eminent Odissi exponent, Guru Aloka Kanungo. She is currently a PhD research scholar in Cultural/ Digital/ Performative Rhetorics at Michigan State University.

Ghazal Maestro Jagjit Singh comes to Michigan

Ghazal Maestro Jagjit Singh will be live in concert on November 14th, 2009 at Seaholm High school, 2436 West Lincoln Road, Birmingham, MI 48009. The show starts at 8.00 pm.

Tickets are $35, $45, $55, $75 and VIP. For tickets call Mr. Deepak of Palace Entertainment at 586-506-0043. (Thanks to Rajiv Sanghvi of Swarbahar for the info).

Shreelina Ghosh Mukherjee will be performing live at a diversity-focused event sponsored by the "The Human Relations" commission of "City of Livonia". This event has been scheduled for Sunday, November 8th at 2:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Library Auditorium (32777 Five Mile Road, Michigan 48154).

Shreelina Ghosh an International student working on her PhD has offered to volunteer her time to do a demonstration of Odissi, one of the seven dance forms of India.

Please visit City of Livonia website for more details.

Governor Granholm - Keynote Speaker at the CAPA Statewide Leadership Summit

Just been informed that Governor Jennifer Granholm will be the keynote speaker at the "2009 Statewide Asian Pacific American Leadership Summit" which will take place on Saturday October 24th, 2009 from 9.00AM - 3.00PM at Novi Community Center, 45175 West 10 Mile Road, Novi, Michigan 48375. This event is being organized by The Council of Asian and Pacific Americans (CAPA).

For registration and details of this event please visit CAPA website.

This is an update to my previous blog post on this event.

Diwali Celebrations in Michigan - 2009

Diwali will be celebrated this year on October 17th. Number of Indian Community Groups in our area have planned Diwali events/celebrations. Here are some of them. If you know of more then please do send us a note or add comments:

(UPAD) Uttar Pradesh Association of Detroit: (website)
Saturday November 7th, 2009
(5:30 PM - 11.30 PM)
Costick Activity Center
28600 Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI
(248) 473-1816

(IACA) Indian American Cultural Association (website)
Saturday October 24th, 2009 (5.30 PM - 10.30 PM)
Costick Activity Center
28600 Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI

(GSOD) Gujarati Samaj of Greater Detroit (website)
Saturday October 24th, 2009 (5.00 PM)
Seaholm HIgh School, 2436 West Lincoln Road, Birmingham, MI 48009

(DTA) Detroit Telugu Association (website)
Saturday October 24th, 2009 (5.30 PM - 11.00 PM)
Walled Lake Central High School
1600 Oakley Park, Walled Lake, MI 48390

ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

The Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAP A) will host a statewide leadership conference on Saturday, October 24, 2009, focusing on building bridges and fostering growth between the Asian Pacific American community and other organizations with the goal of bringing about positive social change. The seventh annual Asian Pacific American Leadership Summit will be held from 9:00am – 3:00pm at the Novi Community Center - 45175 West 10 Mile Rd, Novi, MI.

The 2009 Leadership Summit will open with remarks by Dr. Leslie Wong, President of Northern Michigan University, and the keynote address on leading through sustained crisis will be given by Mr. Dan Mulhern, First Gentleman of Michigan. Other topics covered in the summit workshops will include fundraising & grant writing, education & mentoring and healthcare.

Mumtaz Haque, 2009 CAPA President had this to say

Our 2009 Statewide Asian and Pacific American Leadership Summit will be a great opportunity for Asian leaders from across Michigan to come face to face, network, build awareness and collaboration

Sponsorships for the 2009 Leadership Summit are still available. Please contact Mumtaz Haque, CAPA President, for more information at (248) 703-6228 or email mumtaz@capa-mi.org . For additional details about the conference, please visit the CAPA website.

Michigan International Chamber of Commerce Event

Michigan International Chamber of Commerce (MIICC) is organizing a Networking event on October 14th, 2009 at Dykema Gossett located at 39577 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, MI. This event will be from 5.30 PM to 8.30 PM. Cost is $25 for non-members and no cost to members. Refreshments will be provided.

The organizers plan to have "musical chairs" and ensure that everyone meets everyone and they get a chance to further their network. So bring lots of business cards and feel free to bring brochures, hands-outs, and freebies to build your referral network.

Please visit MIICC website for more details or call 248-470-6299

Ravi Shankar with daughter Anoushka Shankar at Ann Arbor, MI

The University Musical Society (UMS) presents the legendary sitarist Ravi Shankar with his daughter and fellow sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar on Thursday, October 15 at 8 p.m. in Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium (825 North University Avenue).

For tickets or additional information, contact the University Musical Society at 734-764-2538 or online at www.ums.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the League Ticket Office (911 North University Avenue). UMS Ticket Office hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., closed Sunday.