Exploring India’s art and culture

A new interpretation of the Sita Haran by Chitresh Das Dance Company comes to Scottsdale in April

Our oldest daughter Jennifer has been fascinated by other countries — from Ireland to India — since she was in grade school. Nowadays she studies cultural anthropology at ASU.

I remember taking her many years ago to a series of Hinduism classes offered by a local Unitarian Universalist congregation, joining her for a festival at the local Hindu temple and watching her enjoy a Diwali festival in downtown Phoenix with a friend who’s now enrolled at UA in Tucson.

These memories came streaming back when I learned of a “Deepavali – Festival of Lights” celebration happening today at Chandler Center for the Arts. The event takes place from 3-7pm, features entertainment and various cultural activities, and is open to the public (tickets are $6 for folks ages 5 and up).

India jazz fusion by Chitresh Das Dance Company also comes to Scottsdale next year

You can enjoy “Discover India 2012,” presented by Arizona’s India Association Sunday, Nov. 17 from 11am-6pm at Heritage Square and Science Park in downtown Phoenix. The free event features cuisine, music and dance performance, a parade, an attire and accessories bazaar, a flash mob and various cultural experiences.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts presents a “Discovery Series” which focuses each year on a different region. For the 2012/13 season, the series features the arts and culture of India — and culminates in the “OrigiNation” festival celebrating native cultures of both India and Arizona through music, song, storytelling and dance.

This season’s “Discovery Series” includes Brooklyn-based Red Baraat performing a fusion of northern Indian rhythms with diverse musical styles (Feb. 18), Nrityagram Dance Ensemble performing classical Indian dance “with a modern twist” (March 8), Chitresh Das Dance Company performing a fusion of modern tap and traditional Indian dance called “India Jazz Suites” (April 5) and Chitresh Das Dance Company performing a new interpretation of “Sita Haran” (April 6).

Nrityagram Dance Ensemble performs in April at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts also presents three free “Arts-Connect” programs the during the first week of April — including a film screening about two dancers’ unlikely friendship, a panel discussion with gurus representing various Indian dance and music traditions, and a panel discussion exploring the three pillars of classical Indian dance (pure dance, dance with expresssion and drama).

If you’re game for learning more about India in between all these fab outings, click here to learn more about a six-part PBS series called “The Story of India” or here to explore National Geographic offerings. Stay tuned to www.azindia.com for news of other India-related events.

— Lynn

Note: Photos from Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts website

Coming up: Conversations with Clara, Big beads in Brooklyn

The eight days of Chanukah

Chanukah celebrations are already underway in the Valley and beyond, as Jewish families across the globe commemorate the second century B.C.E. rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean revolt against Greek rule. This year’s “festival of lights” begins at sunset tonight (Dec. 20) and runs through sundown on Dec. 28.

Governor Jan Brewer is scheduled to attend tonight’s “Arizona Capitol Menorah Lighting Ceremony” at 5pm, and plenty of Valley groups are planning to participate.

Youth who recently performed in the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company production of “Fiddler on the Roof, Jr.” will be joining Brewer in full costume to light the menorah, according to Janet Arnold, the company’s founder and producing director. They’ll also be singing a song from the musical that’s titled “Tradition.”

Chabad of Arizona begins their “Grand Menorah Parade” at 3:30pm today — traveling to Wesley Bolin Plaza at 1700 W. Washington in Phoenix from Chabad Lubavitch of Arizona at 2110 E.Lincoln Drive.

Their “Grand Menorah Lighting” celebration kicks off at 4pm — featuring yo-yo entertainment, donut decorating, a visit from Judah the Maccabee and more. Even door prizes for every child, a raffle with additional prizes and goodies like latkes, sufganiyot and hot drinks.

It’s a great way for parents eager to help children understand and appreciate a variety of traditions to help their children learn more about Jewish faith and culture. Remember, as you pass all those elaborate displays of Christmas lights, that friends and neighbors may be celebrating the “festival of lights,” mindful of a miracle that kept oil burning in a temple long ago.

— Lynn

Note: This post has been updated with photos of Wednesday’s celebration taken by Jeff Lynn, provided courtesy of Chabad of Arizona/Chabad of Downtown.

Coming up: Jewish arts and culture in Arizona — and beyond

Update: Those of you who missed the public menorah lighting on Dec. 20 will have other opportunities in coming days as various Chabad groups host lightings. Click here for a listing of these and other events compiled by Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. 11/21/11