Feature Story
‘AHIMSA’ TAKES THE STAGE MAY 15 IN ORLANDO AREA
“Ahimsa” brings together Eastern and Western traditions in a fusion of contemporary and classical Indian dance (Bharatanatyam and Kathak) to examine global efforts and ideas in nonviolent social change. A collaborative project by The Center for Contemporary Dance (CCD) and the Asian Cultural Association (ACA) of Central Florida, “Ahimsa” will be presented at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 203 S. Magnolia Ave., in Sanford.
“Ahimsa uses dance works to share intimate endeavors in compassion that transcend into global relationships with world communities,” says Artistic Director for CCD Dario J. Moore. “A dance might tell the story of a mother’s love, for example, in order to highlight the idea that our progress as humanity is dependent upon caring for each other as a mother would her child.” Joining Moore in choreographing “Ahimsa” are Sudeshna Maulik, artistic director for the Montreal Kathak Ensemble, and Geeta Raaj, director for Orlando's Nritya Academy and resident artist for ACA. “The performance features pre-professional and professional dancers in a celebration of diversity that gives audiences a glimpse at what the world might look like when we choose to work together," says Jasbir Mehta, executive director for ACA.
Planning for “Ahimsa” began early last year, with ACA sponsoring Maulik's travel from Montreal and CCD sponsoring rehearsal space so that choreographers could begin developing the work. “The entire creative process has been extremely exciting,” says Craig W. Johnson, executive director for CCD, “Following face-to-face rehearsals, evolving work was constantly being videotaped and shared electronically among the choreographers, so that they could continue to build the show.” The result, says Johnson “is an amazing representation of what can be accomplished through creative and deliberate efforts to work as a community – this is the essence of ‘Ahimsa.’ ”
Admission is $15 (general) and $10 (students); tickets can be purchased by calling (407) 321-8111 or visit www.wdpac.com. For general information about this performance, visit www.thecenterfordance.org, www.aca-florida.org or call (407) 695-8366.
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News
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE HEALTH FAIR, MEDICAL SCREENING MAY 14 IN TAMPA
The 131h annual Community Health Fair will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Hindu Temple Community Hall in Tampa. This volunteer-run community service has been a tradition at the Hindu Temple of Florida since 1998. According to chief coordinator Dr. Renuka Ramappa, each year the Health Fair, which is available free to the public, generates a tremendous response: there are typically 300-400 attendees, and 50-100 participating physicians. Physicians and volunteers work together to present free screenings and health information services, she said.
The public can benefit from the various medical services provided, which include free screenings for blood sugar, cholesterol, osteoporosis and stress; evaluations of visual, auditory and pulmonary function; information regarding mammography, self breast exams, obesity, asthma and allergies; dental examinations, and more. The blood sugar and cholesterol screenings will be sponsored by LabCorp. This year, Dr. Valli Subramanian will be introducing anti-aging and healthy living. There will also be exhibits on these topics, and others, provided by the pharmaceutical companies and also from the Community Hospital, New Port Richey.
One of the fair’s highlights is the opportunity it provides to attendees to interact with physicians, by asking field related questions regarding nutrition, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, stress management, child health, menopause syndrome, bypass surgery, peptic ulcer, heart disease and more. Fun-filled activities for children include clown, face painting, as well as door prizes. The fair will also include booths with jewelry, clothes and authentic Indian vegetarian food from the Prasad Sadan (the Hindu Temple kitchen).
For more information on the Health Fair at Hindu Temple, 5509 Lynn Road, call (813) 962-6890 or visit www.hindutempleofflorida.com
Also holding a free Medical Screening and Blood Donation Camp from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 14 is the Maayboli Melava (Marathi Mandal) of Tampa Bay at Sanatan Mandir, 311 E. Palm Ave., in Tampa. The event will include lectures on health topics by local physicians along with health screening and medical check-ups. The camp is open to the public. Blood donation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Blood donors will receive a limited edition T-shirt, wellness check-up, including cholesterol screening. There also will be children’s activities such as Moonwalk, as well as door prizes, raffles, free food and drinks. For more information on the MMTB medical screening and blood donation camp, call MMTB President Sanjiv Potdar at (813) 655-5900 or Neha Deshmukh at (423) 314-7064.
MADHYA-LAYA PERCUSSIONISTS TO PERFORM MAY 7 IN SOUTH FLORIDA
Madhya-Laya – a group of young percussionists with various instruments led by
Akhilesh Gundecha on pakhawaj, Himanshu Mahant on tabla, Manoj Singh Boraliya on duff and Anoop Singh on dholak, matka, angklung, dufli and hudka – will perform Saturday, May 7, in South Florida.
The 6:30 to 9 p.m. concert at South Florida Hindu Temple (SFHT) auditorium, 13010 Griffin Road, Southwest Ranches, is presented jointly by the Association of the Performing Arts of India (APAI) and SFHT. Tickets ranging from $20 to $30 will be available at the temple and at the door on the day of the event. There is a $5 discount for seniors and students.
Also, on the previous day, Friday, May 6, Madhya-Laya will present a workshop from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 10831 N.W. 17th Court, Pembroke Pines. Cost is $100 for two-hour minimum. For details, e-mail [email protected]
Madhya-Laya performance is a dialogue between various performers creating a new dimension in the field of Tala Vadya (rhythm instruments). The group has performed at Saptak Music Festival, Ahmedabad; World Trade Fair, New Delhi; Shivpuri Festival, Shivpuri; Shravan Mahotsava, Ujjain; Chakradhar Festival, Raigarh; Ustad Allauddin Khan festival, Maiher; Rotary Music Festival, Aurangabad; Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal; Bangalore Habba, Bengaluru and Sawai Gandharva Festival, Pune.
For more information on the concert, call APAI at (954) 885-1466, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.apaiart.com
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