SIGNIFICANT DATES
MARCH 10: MAHA SHIVRATRI
MARCH 21: NAVROZE (PARSI NEW YEAR)
MARCH 27: HOLI
Events
TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER
MARCH 1: “HIDING DIVYA;” film screening and discussion followed by Q&A with writer- director Rehana Mirza; presented by Pehchaan (Providing Educational, Humanistic & Cultural Hope for the south Asian American Network) in collaboration with Center for India Studies, USF; 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (92-minute film will start at 6 p.m.); USF College of Public Health Auditorium, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa; free admission; open to ages 16 and older; RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected] or Manjusha Naik at (813) 842-8563 or Sapna Dembla at (813) 265-3225; for more information, visit: www.pehchaantampabay.org
MARCH 2: MUSICAL CONCERT; Ekal Vidyalaya fundraiser; singer Sanjeevani to be accompanied by singer Chirag, flute player Mohit Shastry, tabla player Amit Mehta and percussionist Rupesh; 5:30 p.m.; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road; tickets are $25 and include dinner/parking; free for FAPI and ICC members; for information, call Jawahar Taunk at (727) 480-3829 or e-mail [email protected], or call Dr. Umesh Choudhry at (727) 507-0584.
MARCH 9: MAHA SHIVRATRI PUJA; 5 p.m.; Vishnu Mandir, 5803 Lynn Road, Tampa; for information, call Dr. Sadhana Ramcharran at (727) 798-4258 or MJ Jaimangal at (727) 946-8144.
MARCH 14-APRIL 18: THERAPIST-FACILITATED SUPPORT GROUP FOR WOMEN IN TRANSITION (EVERY THURSDAY); presented by Pehchaan; 5:30 to 7 p.m.; 5600 Mariner St., Suite 205, Tampa (Watermark building 11); registration required by March 10; free; group goal is to promote personal growth and wellness with a therapeutic approach; for information, call Manjusha Naik at (813) 842-8563, Deepa Dasani at (419) 320-7192, after 5 p.m. or visit www.pehchaantampabay.org
MARCH 15: “MUKESH KI YAADEN;” journey down memory lane with playback singer Dr. Kamlesh Avasthi along with Neelu Dave and Arif Khan; Hindu Temple of Florida auditorium, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; 6 to 7 p.m. dinner with concert from 7; $100 tickets with dinner and $75 without dinner; for information, call Satya Shaw at (813) 842-0345 or Sagar Patel at (813) 960-7429.
MARCH 20: 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.
MARCH 20: INDO-US CHAMBER QUARTERLY MIXER AND NETWORKING EVENT; 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; The Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa; free; no RSVP required; for information, visit www.indo-us.org
MARCH 23: Indian Classical music and Natya Sangeet concert; presented by Swaradhana with the Center for India Studies at USF; performers are vocalist Anand Bhate will be accompanied by Suyog Kundalkar on harmonium and Bharat Kamat on tabla; College of Public Health Auditorium, University of South Florida. 13201 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa; 5 to 8 p.m.; sponsorship is $125 (includes four guests and tea/coffee, reserved seating); concert ticket (includes tea/coffee) is $25 until March 20; and $35 after March 20; concert is free for children ages 16 and younger and for USF students with valid ID, must request ticket in advance; to purchase tickets, visit www.swaradhana.org
MARCH 23: SIXTH ANNUAL CHILDREN’S DAY COMPETITIONS; organized by Tampa Tamil Association of USA; vocal, musical instruments, coloring/drawing, essay writing, general knowledge quiz, spelling bee and fancy dress competitions (for kindergartners through high school students); Benito Middle School, 10101 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; for information on rules, entries, call Sheila Narayanan at (813) 961-6120, Mahalakshmi Ramesh at (813) 994-3707, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.tamausa.org
APRIL 5: MAESTROS IN CONCERT; Zakir Hussain and Shivkumar Sharma; Straz Center for the Performing Arts (Ferguson Hall), 1010 N Macinnes Place, Tampa; 7:30 p.m.; tickets start at $20; for information, call the center at (813) 229-7827 or visit www.strazcenter.org
APRIL 20: INTERNATIONAL CURRY FESTIVAL; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; more than $10,000 cash prizes to be awarded; $5 entry fee; a day before, on April 19, a VIP event will be held at same venue; VIP event tickets are $150 per person and $250 for two; for more information, call Sadhana Ramcharran at (727) 798-4258, Rashmi Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172 or visit www.tbicf.com
APRIL 27: PUNJABI MELA; presented by the Punjabi Association; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; starts at 6:30 p.m.; tickets will be available at www.punjabiassociationoftampa.com; for information, e-mail [email protected]
APRIL 28: GUJARAT GAURAV DIN; organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; free to GSTB members; for information, call Bhogilal Patel at (813) 784-6653, Sudhir Shah at (727) 686-7424 or visit www.gujaratisamaj.org
JUNE 11-15: DISCOURSE ON THE BHAGWAT GITA BY PANDIT RAJIN BALGOBIND; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; bhajans from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., followed by discourse, then mahaprasad at 9; third annual community event has been arranged by several Tampa Bay organizations; for more information, call (727) 460-2460 or (727) 798-4258.
LAKELAND
MARCH 3: MUSICAL CONCERT; Ekal Vidyalaya fundraiser; singer Sanjeevani to be accompanied by singer Chirag, flute player Mohit Shastry, tabla player Amit Mehta and percussionist Rupesh; 5:30 p.m.; Shree Swaminarayan Temple, 2793 New Tampa Highway; for details, call Nilesh K. Patel at (863) 853-9315 or (863) 688-3117.
ORLANDO/CASSELBERRY/APOPKA
MARCH 1: MUSICAL CONCERT; Ekal Vidyalaya fundraiser; singer Sanjeevani to be accompanied by singer Chirag, flute player Mohit Shastry, tabla player Amit Mehta and percussionist Rupesh; 7 p.m.; Lyman High School, 865 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood; free admission; for information, call Suresh Gupta at (407) 352-2889 or e-mail [email protected]
MARCH 8-9: GANESHA (FIVE-PART WORKSHOP); Hindu University of America, 113 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando; free, donations accepted; presented by Dr. B.V.K. Sastry and Dr. Yadu Moharir; for information, call (407) 275-0013 or visit www.hua.edu
MARCH 8-10: MAHA SHIVRATRI PROGRAMS; Shri Shiv Dham Hindu Temple and Yogashram, 460 O’Berry Hoover Road, Orlando; for information, call (407) 380-2661, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.shivtemple.net
MARCH 9-10: MAHASHIVRATRI CELEBRATION; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; all day and night pujas open to all; for more information, call (407) 699-5277 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
MARCH 10: HSCF NEW AGE GROUP; 8th anniversary celebration; Hindu Society of Central Florida community hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 5 p.m.; dinner catered by Aroma restaurant and entertainment by Chipey Rustams of Orlando; for information, call Madan Arora at (407) 971-9259, Dev Sharma at (407) 862-9920 or email [email protected]
MARCH 14: SPEAKER EVENT; presented by Indian American Chamber of Commerce; 6 to 9 p.m.; February panel discussion on Affordable Health Care Act was rescheduled for this month; Gray Robinson Law Offices, 301 E. Pine St., Orlando; heavy appetizers catered by Aroma Restaurant; admission is free for IACC members, others is $25; for information, call Tino Patel at (407) 579-5050 or visit www.iaccorlando.com
MARCH 16: GUJARATI PLAY “GUJJUBHAI NI GOLMAAL;” starring actor and director Siddharth Randeria; presented by Gujarati Society of Central Florida; Lyman High School, 865 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood; 6:30 to 8 p.m. free dinner and show at 8; two free tickets per membership; seniors ages 65 and older are free; $30 per ticket; for information, call Manoj at (407) 342-0117 or Jayesh at (407) 460-2020 or visit www.gujaratisocietycfl.com
MARCH 30: ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF INDIA; presented by Hindu Society of Central Florida on temple grounds, 1994 Lake Drive Casselberry; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; food, clothing, jewelry, arts and crafts, henna, etc.; free; nominal charge for parking; to reserve a stall/booth or register for cultural programs (entry deadline is March 16), visit www.hindutempleorlando.org, then click on MyHSCF on left; for details, call the mandir at (407) 699-5277 or Promod Dubey at (407) 221 5616; for cultural show information, call Dipti Smart at (321) 695-4422.
APRIL 14: GUDI PADWA; organized by the Orlando Marathi Mandal; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.; cultural program; free for members or $20 per adults; $10 for children ages 5-10; for information, call Prashant Saoji at (321) 460-0800, Vaibhav Joshi at (321) 947-7777 or e-mail [email protected]
OCALA/BELLEVIEW
MARCH 3 AND MARCH 17: 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 or Raj Kamdar at (352) 568-5729.
FORT MYERS
MARCH 23: 27th ANNUAL INDIA FEST 2013; presented by the India Association of Fort Myers; Fort Myers High School, 2635 Cortez Blvd., Fort Myers; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; tickets are $5; children younger than 5 years of age are free; for information, call Sapna Mathur at (239) 470-7024, e-mail [email protected] or visit http://www.iafortmyers.org/
GAINESVILLE
MARCH 16: INDIA FEST & HEALTH FAIR 2013; 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) 378-7112, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.icec-florida.org
MELBOURNE
MARCH 9-10: INDIAFEST 2013; 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 “Celebrating 100 Years of Bollywood;” cultural shows, fashion shows, music, henna, arts and crafts, yoga demonstration, live Indian cooking demo; $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 12 and under and kids younger than 5 years of age are free; for more information, call Nina Gadodia at (321) 779-0110, Yasmin Majeed at (321) 720-8590, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.indiafestbrevard.org
JACKSONVILLE
MARCH 10: MAHASHIVRATRI; celebrated at the Hindu Society of North East Florida temple, 4968 Greenland Road, Jacksonville; 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.; for information, call the mandir at (904) 268-7630 or visit www.hsnef.org/
MARCH 22-24: SHREE GANESH MANDIR STHAPANA 6th ANNIVERSARY; Hindu Society of North East Florida temple, 4968 Greenland Road, Jacksonville; for information, call the mandir at (904) 268-7630 or visit www.hsnef.org/
MARCH 23: ANAND BAZAAR (FORMERLY JAX INDIA FEST); Hindu Society of North East Florida temple, 4968 Greenland Road, Jacksonville; 4 to 8 p.m.; for information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.jaxindiafest.org
APRIL 11: MAESTROS IN CONCERT; Zakir Hussain and Shivkumar Sharma; Church of the Good Shepherd, 1100 Stockton St., Jacksonville; 7:30 p.m.; $25; for information, call (904) 389-6222 or visit www.riversidefinearts.org
TALLAHASSEE
APRIL 10: MAESTROS IN CONCERT; Zakir Hussain and Shivkumar Sharma; Ruby Diamond Concert Hall at Florida State University, Westcott Building, 502 S. Copeland St., Tallahassee; 7:30 p.m.; for ticket information, call (850) 644-6500 or visit www.sevendaysfestival.org
SOUTH FLORIDA (WEST PALM BEACH/FORT LAUDERDALE/PEMBROKE PINES)
MARCH 2: 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 p.m. onward; tickets are $15 to $25 and can be purchased at www.miami-mayhem.com starting in mid-February; for information, call (630) 453-9383 or e-mail [email protected]
MARCH 2: TRIBUTE CONCERT TO PANDIT RAVI SHANKAR; presented by the Association of Performing Arts of India; featuring sitarist Kartik Seshadri and sarod player Alam Khan; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ Amaturo Theater, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; for tickets, which are $25-$45 for the concert and $30 for dinner after the performance, call (954) 462-0222; for more information, visit http://goo.gl/HHZJ2
MARCH 10: MAHASHIVARATRI; during Chinmaya Mission Bal Vihar prayer assembly; for information, visit http://www.cmmiami.org/
MARCH 17: EIGHTH ANNUAL FREE HEALTH FAIR; organized by the Indian Physicians of South Florida (IPOF); 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; South Florida Hindu Temple, 13010 W. Griffin Road, Southwest Ranches; free blood pressure checkup, glucose, cholesterol checks, and dental, vision and hearing screenings; for more information, contact Health Fair Chair Dr. Rakesh Mittal at (954) 562-5773 or e-mail [email protected] or IPOF President Dr. Mohan Gupta at (954) 817-0155 or e-mail [email protected]
MARCH 23-24: 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; for information, call (561) 876-2255, (561) 985-3162 or visit www.asianfair.org
APRIL 4: MAESTROS IN CONCERT; Zakir Hussain and Shivkumar Sharma; South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center (Mainstage), 10950 S.W. 211 St., Cutler Bay/Miami; 8 p.m.; tickets start at $10; for information, call (786) 573-5300, e-mail [email protected] or visit http://www.smdcac.org/
APRIL 6: MAESTROS IN CONCERT; Zakir Hussain and Shivkumar Sharma; Duncan Theatre, Palm Beach State College, 4200 Congress Ave., Lake Worth/Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; tickets start at $29; for information, call the theatre at (561) 868-3309 or visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/theatre/
Program dates/venues subject to change. Please check with local organizers.