FEBRUARY 2014
Khaas Baat : A Publication for Indian Americans in Florida

SIGNIFICANT DATES

FEB. 4: VASANT PANCHAMI

FEB. 27: MAHA SHIVRATRI

EVENTS

TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER

FEB. 9: COMMUNITY HEALTH AWARENESS SEMINAR; organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay and Florida Hospital, Carrollwood; event chair Minaxi C. Patel; 1 to 4 p.m.; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; for information, call GSTB President Jyoti Gandhi at (727) 534-3767 or visit www.gujaratisamaj.org

FEB. 14: VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY; hosted by India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road; 7 p.m.; $50 per adult, $15 per child over 5 years of age; free for trustees, their spouse and children; RSVP required by Feb. 10; e-mail tampaicc@yahoo.com or call (813) 264-4638.

FEB. 14: POORNIMA PUJA; Shree Raam Mandir, 7411 E. Comanche Ave., Tampa; for information, call Nick at (813) 334-0443 or Angela at (813) 265-3268.

FEB. 14-15: BHAJA GOVINDAM: AN INTRODUCTION; spiritual discourses by Swamini Akhilananda of Chinmaya Mission Tampa; free; for adults only; Sanatan Mandir, 311 E. Palm Ave., Tampa; 7 to 8:30 p.m.; for information, call Darshna Sorathia at (813) 708-2999 or Nima Viradiya at (813) 545-3604.

FEB. 16: GUJARATI PLAY “2 IDIOTS;” organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; 5:30 p.m.; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; free for GSTB members; non-members pay $15; for information, call GSTB President Jyoti Gandhi at (727) 534-3767 or visit www.gujaratisamaj.org

FEB. 19: BUSINESS & NETWORKING EVENT: EB-5 Investment – New Sources for New Businesses and Development; organized by INDO-US Chamber of Commerce; 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Homeowners Choice Insurance Building (5300 W. Cypress St., Tampa); free; dinner will be served and no RSVP required; for information, visit www.indo-us.org

FEB. 19: ICC SENIORS GET-TO-GATHER; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free seminar, lunch and entertainment; dance instructor Niti Shah will speak and demonstrate fitness moves; no minimum age requirement; for information or ride, call John Adhia at (813) 784-1132 or Ram Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172.

FEB. 22: TEMPLE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY; Sanatan Mandir, 311 E. Palm Ave.; for the 10,600-square-foot proposed new temple; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; to donate or be a sponsor for the new temple, call (813) 221-4482 or visit www.ourmandir.org for more information.

FEB. 23: DEEPAK CHOPRA LIVE: THE FUTURE OF WELL-BEING; Straz Center, 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa; 7:30 p.m.; tickets range from $35-$100; for information, call (813) 229-7827 or visit www.strazcenter.org

MARCH 1: CONCERT; Ekal Vidyalaya fundraiser; performer is Kathak dancer Aditi Bhagwat; 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. dinner followed by concert; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road; for information, call Jawahar Taunk at (727) 480-3829 or e-mail jtaunk@tampabay.rr.com, or call Dr. Umesh Choudhry at (727) 507-0584.

MARCH 2: BHAGAVAD GITA CHANTING COMPETITION; presented by Chinmaya Mission Tampa; “Chinmaya Prasad” Ashram, 18708 Hanna Road, Lutz; 3 to 6 p.m.; Gita Chapter 2: Verses 26-48; for details and to register early, visit http://chinmayaprasad.org/gitachanting.html; for information, call (813) 857-0134 or e-mail gita@chinmayaprasad.org

MARCH 7: 12th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT; organized by INDO-US Chamber of Commerce; Cheval Golf & Country Club, 4312 Cheval Blvd., Lutz; noon registration and lunch; shotgun start at 1 p.m.; register online at www.indo-us.org

MARCH 16: HOLI; organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa (MLK Boulevard entrance); free for GSTB members; non-members pay $15 and non-member seniors are $10; for information, call Jyoti Gandhi at (727) 534-3767 or visit www.gujaratisamaj.org

APRIL 27: 9th TAMPA BAY CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL; Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa; parade and concert 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; $20 admission; children 5 to 12 years of age are $5; for information, call (813) 325-5584, e-mail info@carnivaltampa.com or visit www.tampabaycaribbeancarnival.com

BARTOW/LAKELAND

MARCH 15: CONCERT; Ekal Vidyalaya fundraiser; performer is lead singer Vibhavari Yadav of the Vibhavari group; 6 p.m.; Shree Swaminarayan Temple hall, 2793 New Tampa Highway, Lakeland; for details, call Nilesh K. Patel at (863) 853-9315.

MARCH 17: HOLI; organized by the Bhartiya Samaj of Central Florida; Mary Holland Park, North Broadway Ave., Bartow; 6:30 p.m. onward; $25; for information, call Subhash S Patel at (863) 648-0294, Vinoobhai Patel at (863) 293-0942 or visit www.bscfl.com

OCALA/BELLEVIEW

FEB. 2, FEB. 16, MARCH 2: SATSANG; Pushtidham (Haveli of Florida), 14080 S.W. 20th Ave. Road, Ocala; 3 to 6 p.m.; for information, call Bharat at (973) 460-5936, Raj Kamdar at (352) 568-5729 or visit www.pushtidhamocala.org

MARCH 14: CONCERT; Ekal Vidyalaya fundraiser; performer is lead singer Vibhavari Yadav of the Vibhavari group; 8 p.m.; India Association Cultural & Educational Center, 2030 N.E. 36th Ave.; for details, call Dr. Nand Kishore Karve at (352) 237-3084 or e-mail karven@hotmail.com

ORLANDO/CASSELBERRY

FEB. 1: Charity 5K WALK-A-THON; organized by the Hindu Society of Central Florida Youth Club; Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando; starts at 9 a.m.; for information, call Nandu at (407) 239-2310, Babu at (407) 334-8006 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org/

FEB. 1: MUSICAL GALA NIGHT; presented by Keerthana American Youth Orchestra; 4:30 p.m.; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; $20 per family; for information, call Dr. Guru Prasad at (321) 277-3724 Ramki at (407) 619-8635, or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org/

FEB. 2: VALENTINE’S DAY; organized by Hindu Society of Central Florida (HSCF) New Age Group; HSCF community hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 1:30 to 4 p.m.; musical chairs, plus individual loves stories; snacks, tea/coffee; $3 per person for non-members with prior RSVP or $5 at the gate; RSVP hscfnewagegroup@gmail.com

FEB. 8: “EDUCATING THE EDUCATORS;” educator Dr. Balram Singh to conduct free workshop; organized by the Hindu University of America (HUA) and Uberoi Foundation; benefits teachers, parents of school-age children and others interested in Dharmic education as covered in school textbooks; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; HUA campus, 113 S. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando; to register, call (407) 275-0013 or e-mail abhinav@hua.edu or yvpathak2010@gmail.com

FEB. 8: Thyagaraja Aaradhana music festival; 10:30 a.m. onward; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; for information, call Dr. Vasundhara Iyengar at (407) 876-7686, Girija Sundaram at (407) 977-7942 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org/

FEB. 14: VALENTINE’S DINNER & DANCE WITH RUPESH RAWAL; featuring DJ Paras; dinner, music, cash bar; $100 per couple; Holy Trinity Church, 1217 Trinity Woods Lane, Maitland; 8 p.m.; for tickets, call Utpal Trivedi at (321) 331-8541

FEB. 27: Business After Hours NETWORKING; organized by the Indian American Chamber of Commerce; Blood Hound Brewery, 5801 Conroy Road, Orlando; 6 to 8 p.m.; for information, visit http://iacc.mymobisite.us

FEB. 27: MAHASHIVRATRI; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; celebrations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; for information, call the temple at (407) 699-5277 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org

MARCH 2: CONCERT; Ekal Vidyalaya fundraiser; performer is Kathak dancer Aditi Bhagwat; Lyman High School, 865 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood; for time and other information, call Suresh Gupta at (407) 352-2889.

March 16: HOLI 2014; organized by Indian Horizon of Central Florida and the Indian Majestic Sounds; Orlando Festival Park by Primrose, 2911 E. Robinson St.; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; free; for information, call Hari Singh at (321) 662-1887 or Gopaul at (407) 520-7394.

GAINESVILLE

MARCH 29: INDIA FEST & HEALTH FAIR 2014; presented by the India Cultural & Education Center; health fair will be 9 a.m. to noon and the festival will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Santa Fe Community College, Gymnasium (Building V), 3000 N.W. 83rd St., Gainesville; $5 admission, kids younger than 5 years of age are free; Indian food, dance, art, music, jewelry, clothing, henna; for information, call (352) 275-2276, e-mail indiafestgainesville@gmail.com or visit www.icec-florida.org

FORT MYERS

MARCH 16: 2014 HOLI PICNIC; organized by the India Association of Fort Myers; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Lakes Regional Park, Shelter B1, 7330 Gladiolus Drive; for information, e-mail ranjugeorge@aol.com or visit www.iafortmyers.org

APRIL 12: 28th ANNUAL INDIA FEST 2014; organized by the India Association of Fort Myers; JetBlue Park, 11500 Fenway S. Drive, Fort Myers; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; for information, e-mail ranjugeorge@aol.com or visit www.iafortmyers.org

MELBOURNE

MARCH 8-9: INDIAFEST 2014; 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; this year’s theme is “Handicrafts of India;” cultural shows, fashion shows, music, henna, arts and crafts, yoga demonstration, Indian cooking demo; $5 for adults, $2 for children under age 12 and kids younger than 5 are free; for more information, call Nina Gadodia at (321) 779-0110, Yasmin Majeed at (321) 720-8590, e-mail info@indiafestbrevard.org or visit www.indiafestbrevard.org

JACKSONVILLE

FEB. 8: ICS (INDIAN CULTURAL SOCIETY) Volunteer Day; Teacher's Depot, 3108 Lenox Ave., Jacksonville; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; to sign up, visit www.jaxics.org

FEB. 26: TURBAN DAY; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; event to kick off weeklong inter-faith activities at University of North Florida; UNF Student Union’s Osprey Plaza; organized by UNF and Sikh Society of North East Florida; free Indian snacks, Punjabi music; for information, visit http://jaxgurudwara.org/

FEB. 28: CONCERT: Ekal Vidyalaya fundraiser; performer is Kathak dancer Aditi Bhagwat; 6:30 p.m.; Bolles Middle School (Bartram Campus), 2264 Bartram Road; for information, call Sarath Kuravi at (904) 287-8334 or (904) 537-7200.

SPACE COAST (TITUSVILLE)

MARCH 16: HOLI; organized by the India Association of the Space Coast (IASC); Fox Lake Park, 4400 Fox Lake Road, Titusville; 2 to 7 p.m.; for information, call (321) 302-1870, email iascbrevard@gmail.com or visit www.iascbrevard.com

TALLAHASSEE

MARCH 16: CONCERT; Ekal Vidyalaya fundraiser; performer is lead singer Vibhavari Yadav of the Vibhavari group; 4:30 p.m.; Lee Hall Auditorium, 1601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; for information, call Santosh Dixit at (850) 559-1080.

SOUTH FLORIDA (SUNRISE/MIAMI/WEST PALM BEACH/BONITA SPRINGS/CORAL SPRINGS/PEMBROKE PINES)

FEB. 8: Saraswati Pujo 2014; organized by Bengali Association of South Florida; Westpine Middle School, 9393 N.W. 50th St., Sunrise; for details, email sf.bengali@gmail.com or visit www.basfl.org

FEB. 16: WALK-FOR-CORD; organized by Chinmaya Mission Miami; Metrozoo, 12400 S.W. 152nd St., Miami; 11 a.m. to noon registration/lunch followed by walk till 2; $25 per person; to pre-register, visit www.cmmiami.org

FEB. 22: 11th ANNUAL INDIAFEST; organized by Palm Beach India Association; free; starts at 11 a.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 info@sfindiafest.com

FEB. 22-23: BHARATA NATYAM FOR NEW AUDIENCES; performed by Jaan R. Freeman and presented by Elements Yoga, 4450 Bonita Beach Road, #14, Bonita Springs; 6 to 7:30 p.m. performance will be on Feb. 22; advance tickets $17 and $20 at door; workshop will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Feb. 23 at same venue for $25; for information, call (239) 258-6025 or visit www.elementsyogabonita.com

MARCH 1: MIAMI MAYHEM 7; 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 p.m. onward; for information, e-mail miami.mayhem@gmail.com or visit www.miami-mayhem.com

MARCH 6-8: 8th EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE CANCER THERAPIES CONFERENCE; West Palm Beach Embassy Suites, 1601 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach; organized by the Annie Appleseed Project; open to people with cancer, family, advocates, caregivers, and professionals interested in these issues (CEUs/CNEs available); for information, call (561) 794-0084, email annieappleseedpr@aol.com; to register, visit www.annieappleseedproject.org

MARCH 15-16: ASIAN TRADE FAIR AND CULTURAL SHOW; presented by Bangladesh Association of Florida; noon to 10 p.m.; South Florida Fairgrounds (Expo Center), 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach; $10 per day; for information, call (561) 876-2255, (561) 985-3162 or visit www.asianfair.org

MARCH 22: “UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY: A PROGRAM OF WESTERN AND EASTERN MUSIC AND DANCE;” organized by Association of Performing Arts of India; in honor of Dr. Daniel Lewis, internationally-recognized dancer, teacher, choreographer and author; 6:30 p.m.; Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs; tickets range from $20-$39; $2 off to seniors 65+ and students with current ID; for information, call (954) 344-5999, email apaiart@comcast.net or visit www.apaiart.com

MARCH 23: HOLI PICNIC; organized by Indian Religious and Cultural Center (IRCC); C.B. Smith Park-Shelter No. 6, 900 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; for information, call (954) 543-1539, e-mail board@irccflorida.com or visit www.irccflorida.com

Event submissions are free of charge. E-mail editor@khaasbaat.com

Disclaimer: Event details are subject to change. Please check with local organizers.

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