Events
SIGNIFICANT DATES
FEB. 20: MAHA SHIVRATRI
TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER
FEB. 12: ADULT ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER WORKSHOP; hosted by PEHCHAAN; speakers are Dr. Hardeep Singh and Sushama Kirtikar; 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; registration at 10 a.m.; Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa; for information, call Nandini Bandyopadhyay at (813) 220-5794, Manjusha Naik at (813) 842-8563 or e-mail [email protected]
FEB. 12: INDIAN SENIORS DAY; organized by Ambaji Mandir of Tampa Bay, 10991 58th St., Pinellas Park; 5 to 7 p.m.; followed by mahaprasad; there is no minimum age requirements; for more information, call the mandir at (727) 537-9445.
FEB. 15: ICC SENIORS GET-TO-GATHER; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free seminar, lunch and entertainment; no minimum age requirement; for information or ride, call John Adhia at (813) 784-1132 or Ram Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172.
FEB. 17-19: THIRD ANNUAL INDIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (IIFF) OF TAMPA BAY; Channelside Cinemas, Tampa; for details, call Francis Vayalumkal at (813) 719-0303, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.iifftampa.com
FEB. 18: Ekal's Musical Charity Concert; presented by Tampa Bay Ekal Vidyalaya chapter; singers Samir Date and Dipalee Somaiya will perform; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; for details, call Dr. Jawahar Taunk at (727) 480-3829, Dr. Umesh Choudhry at (727) 507-0584 or visit www.ekal.org
FEB. 22-25: “MESSAGES OF MYSTICAL MANTRAS;” spiritual discourses and workshop in English by Swami Ishwarananda; free; presented by Chinmaya Mission Tampa; 7:30 to 9 p.m.; Clubhouse Ballroom, Emerald Greens, 13903 Clubhouse Drive, Tampa; on Feb. 25, there will be a Meditation Workshop on 5 Powerful Techniques from 10 a.m. to noon; Chinmaya Prasad Ashram, 18708 Hanna Road, Lutz; $25 per person or $30 at door registration includes lunch; for information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.chinmayaprasad.org
FEB. 24: GUJARATI PLAY “PATNI NACHAVE BHAGWAN BACHAVE;” starring Dharmesh Vyas and Surbhi Javeri; organized by Gujarati Society of Tampa Bay; 8 p.m.; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; free for samaj members, $10 for non-members; for information, call samaj President Chetan Shah at (727) 688-6149 or visit www.gujaratisamaj.org
FEB. 25 AND MARCH 3: FIFTH ANNUAL CHILDREN’S DAY COMPETITIONS; organized by Tampa Tamil Association of USA; chess, spelling bee and math bees will be on Feb. 25 at Hindu Temple of Florida auditorium, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; vocal and instrumental music; quiz, coloring and painting; fancy dress and story writing competitions will be on March 3 at Benito Middle School, 10101 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa; for information on rules, entries, call Rani Krishnaraj at (813) 783-3221, Sheila Narayanan at (813) 961-6120, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.tamausa.org
FEB. 25: ACADEMY OF ODISSI DANCE PRESENTS “NRITYANJALI”; 10-year celebration by Academy of Odissi Dance; 6 p.m.; Indian classical dance and Krishna Leela in Bollywood style; Gaither High School, 16200 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; $20 adults, $10 children/student; complimentary dinner; for more information, call Gopa Rautray at (813) 992-5234 or Koruna Pathak at (727) 742-1412.
APRIL 14: BAYSIDE BHANGRA; 10 teams from all over the United States to compete; seating begins at 5 with show from 6 p.m.; Centro Asturiano, 11913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa; $25, $35, $50; for information, call Kuleen Shah at (813) 486-4129 or Hasneet Kaur at (813) 504-2470, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.baysidebhangra.com
APRIL 22: “TRISHNA: A BOLLYWOOD BALLET;” presented by Srishti Dance Academy to benefit Asraah – The Helping Hands (www.asraah.org); The Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, 30651 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel; 4:30 p.m.; $10; for information, call (813) 404-1862, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.srishtiacademy.com
JUNE 2-10: RAM KATHA BY PUJYA MORARI BAPU; Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa; free; breakfast, lunch and dinner to be served; key sponsor is India Cultural Center; for information, call John Adhia at (813) 784-1132.
ORLANDO/OAKLAND/WINTER SPRINGS
FEB. 4: KEERTHANA; presented by Hindu Society of Central Florida; performances of songs in Sanskrit, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada by youth; HSCF community hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; for information, call Sekar at (407) 574-1812, Guru at (321) 277-3724 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
FEB. 5: NEW AGE GROUP MONTHLY; organized by the Hindu Society of Central Florida (HSCF) New Age Group; 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.; HSCF community hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; chess, carom and playing cards will be played; snacks, tea/coffee to be served; RSVP to [email protected] or call Madan Arora at (407) 971-9259, Dev Sharma at (407) 862-9920.
FEB. 18-20: MAHASHIVRATRI; celebrated jointly by Hindu Society of Central Florida and Chinmaya Mission; HSCF, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; for schedule and other information, visit www.chinmayaorlando.org, www.hindutempleorlando.org or call (407) 699-5277.
FEB. 25: THYAGARAJA ARADHANA; classical Carnatic music concert; Hindu Society of Central Florida temple, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; from 10 a.m.; daylong program will include songs by local and out-of-town artistes as a tribute to Sri Thyagaraja, one of the greatest composers of Carnatic music; program starts at 10:30 a.m. with Pancharatna Kritis followed by Utsava Sampradaya Krutis; to participate or perform at the music concert, call contact Dr. Vasundhara Iyengar or Girija Sundaram at (407) 699-5277.
MARCH 2-4: Heart of Devotion” weekend city retreat; kirtan artist Krishna Das will be presenting retreat; Hindu Temple of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; $150 per person in advance online or $175 cash at the door; for information, visit www.krishnadas.com or call Jackie at (321) 439-8353 or e-mail [email protected]
MARCH 31: ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF INDIA; organized by Hindu Society of Central Florida (HSCF), 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; for booth information, vendors can call Promod Dubey at (407) 221-5616, HSCF at (407) 699-5277 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
SARASOTA
Feb 4: MUSICAL CONCERT WITH USTAD GHULAM FARID NIZAMI; 8 to 10 p.m.; Rising Tide International, 5102 Swift Road, Sarasota; ustadji will present along with son Faraz on tabla a vast array of styles, including classical Indian, ghazal, geet, qawwali, bhajan, Pakistani folk and Sufi music; $20 per person; for information, call Akbar Chris Miller at (941) 677-8348, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.risingtideinternational.com
GAINESVILLE
MARCH 17: HEALTH FAIR & INDIA FEST; presented by the India Cultural & Education Center; health fair will be 9 a.m. to noon and the festival will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Santa Fe Community College, Gymnasium (Building V), 3000 N.W. 83rd St., Gainesville, FL 32606; $5 admission, kids younger than 5 years of age are free; Indian food, dance, art, music, jewelry, clothing, henna; for information, call (352) 378-7112, (352) 505-9106, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.icec-florida.org
OCALA/BELLEVIEW
FEB. 12: KIDS LESSON AND SATSANG AT YOUR HAVELI; starts at 3 p.m. with children’s lessons followed by Satsang; Pushtidham (Haveli of Florida), 14080 S.W. 20th Ave. Road, Ocala; for information, call Bharat at (973) 460-5936 or Raj Kamdar at (352) 568-5729.
FEB. 26: KIDS LESSON AND SATSANG AT YOUR HAVELI; starts at 3 p.m. with children’s lessons followed by Satsang; Pushtidham (Haveli of Florida), 14080 S.W. 20th Ave. Road, Ocala; for information, call Bharat at (973) 460-5936 or Raj Kamdar at (352) 568-5729.
INVERNESS
FEB. 19: MAHA SHIVRATRI; daylong program starts at 8 a.m.; Shirdi Sai Florida Center, 4707 S. Pleasant Grove Road, Inverness; for information, call (352) 860-2181 or visit www.shirdiusa.com
ALACHUA
FEB. 19: SHIVARATRI; 4 p.m.; Shivalinga Abhisheka; Bhaktikalalayam dancers at 5:45 p.m.; Alachua Hare Krishna Temple, 17306 N.W. 112th Blvd., Alachua; for information, call (352) 222-1440 or visit www.alachuatemple.com
MELBOURNE
MARCH 10-11: INDIAFEST 2012; presented by Manav Mandir; Wickham Pavilion, 3845 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; cultural shows, fashion shows, music, henna, arts and crafts, yoga demonstration, live Indian cooking demo; $4 for adults and $1 for children age 12 and younger; kids 5 years of age and younger are free; for more information, visit www.indiafestbrevard.org
JACKSONVILLE
FEB. 4: REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS; organized by Indian Cultural Society of Jacksonville; from 4.30 p.m.; Atlantic Coast High School (near 9A and Baymeadows Road), Jacksonville; highlights include a fancy dress competition, musical bingo, various dance and cultural performances, and food; for more information, e-mail [email protected], [email protected] or visit http://www.jaxics.org/
FEB. 18-19: Saint Thyagaraja Aradhana; Music advocacy group Jax Raaga will celebrate its 10th-year anniversary with performances for Saint Thyagaraja Aradhana; program starts at 9 a.m. both days; Student Union Auditorium, University of North Florida, on the second level of the West Building, Jacksonville; free; food will be available for nominal donations; for more information, call (904) 608-8289 or e-mail [email protected]
FORT MYERS
FEB. 4: 26TH INDIA FEST 2012; organized by India Association of Fort Myers; on the grounds of Hammond Stadium, 14400 6 Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers; dances, music, fashion, jewelry, handicrafts and food on the agenda; for information, Prasad Kasireddy at (503) 490-4362, Sapna Mathur at (239) 691-5041, e-mail [email protected] or visit http://www.iafortmyers.org/
FEB. 20: MAHA SHIVRATRI CELEBRATIONS; Hindu Temple of Southwest Florida, 12552 Plantation Road, Fort Myers; for details, call Mallika Nandur at (239) 482-0677, Anjana Bhatt at (239) 274-5584, e-mail [email protected] or visit http://www.hindutempleswfl.com
SOUTH FLORIDA (HOLLYWOOD/WEST PALM BEACH/OAKLAND PARK/PEMBROKE PINES/MIAMI
FEB. 15-19: SHIV RAATRI YAGYA; Shiva Mandir, 3000 N.W. 29th Ave., Oakland Park; Maha Shiv Raatri will be celebrated on Feb. 19; for more information, call Vijay Persad at (954) 475-3949, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.fhosm.com
FEB. 16: Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Chanting Competition 2012; organized by Chinmaya Mission Miami; celebration of Shri Gita Jayanti and Shri Tapovan Jayanti; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Gita Chapter 8, verses 1-21; welcome address by Swami Ishwarananda; in Boca Raton but venue to be determined; free; open to children, youth and adults; for more information, visit www.cmmiami.org
FEB. 18: “RAGA UNVEILED;” two hours of educational documentary on Indian classical music in English; filmmaker Mukesh Desai will be at the site to meet and greet and answer questions at the end; presented by the Association of Performing Arts of India; 6 p.m.; Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center, 1770 Monroe St., Hollywood (U.S. 1 and Monroe Street); $15 general admission and $12 for students and seniors; for more information, call (954) 885-1466, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.apaiart.com
FEB. 18: NINTH ANNUAL INDIAFEST; organized by Palm Beach India Association; free; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; musical, dance and cultural performances; food, clothing, and craft vendors; and art exhibits; Meyer Amphitheater, 105 Evernia St., West Palm Beach; for details, visit www.sfindiafest.com or e-mail [email protected]
FEB. 21: “CHANTING WITH KRISHNA DAS;” kirtan artist to chant; 8 p.m.; Littman Theater, 17011 N.E. 19th Ave., North Miami Beach; Tickets are $30 in advance online or $35 cash at the door; to book a seat, visit www.krishnadas.com
FEB. 26-29: Workshop and Jnana Yajna by Swami Ishwarananda; Workshop: 5 Powerful Techniques in the Practice of Meditation; 5 to 8 p.m.; Broward but venue to be determined; $25 registration per person includes dinner or $30 at the door; to register, e-mail [email protected] and mail check payable to Chinmaya Mission to: CM Workshop, 3375 Jaywood Terrace, Apt J-203, Boca Raton, FL 33431; Jnana Yajna: Messages of Mystical Mantras will be Feb. 27-29 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.; Clubhouse, Long Lake Ranches West, 11296 Canyon Maple Blvd., Davie, FL 33328 (near I-75, 595, Broward Blvd); talks in English are free and open to public; for information, visit www.cmmiami.org
MARCH 1-3: EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE; organized by the Annie Appleseed Project; get answers to questions about complementary medicine; West Palm Beach; for information, call (561) 794-0084 or visit www.annieappleseedproject.org
MARCH 3: MIAMI MAYHEM; intercollegiate garba/raas competition; hosted by University of Miami Indian Students Association; to benefit Sunil’s Home Charity; Julius Littman Performing Arts Theater, 17011 N.E. 19th Ave., North Miami Beach; 6:30 p.m. onward; tickets are priced from $15 and can be purchased at http://www.desiclub.com starting in mid-February; for information, call (954) 937-5582 or (409) 223-9111, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.miami-mayhem.com
MARCH 4: HOLI PICNIC AND GAMES; organized by the Indian Religious & Cultural Center; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; C.B. Smith Park-Shelter No. 6, 900 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines; snacks, lunch and pizza to be served along with colors, games, music and dance and prizes; hot tea and ganthias from 11 a.m. to noon; for information, call 954-543-1539, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.irccflorida.com
APRIL 28: BHARATA NAYAM; classical South Indian dance; performed by Jaan R. Freeman; 7:30 p.m.; Lotus Dance Studio, 9117 Taft St., Pembroke Pines; $16 per person if purchased by April 27 or $20 at door; seniors and students with valid ID pay $10 and children younger than 12 years of age pay $6; for information, visit www.bharatanayam.eventbrite.com