The Indian festive season is incomplete without Navratri, the festival of nine nights. Here�s a look at some of the Navratri activities scheduled in Florida. So, dust off your garba garb, pick up your dandiyas and get ready to dance the night away:

TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG

The new Navratri venue was highly successful in 2005, thanks to then-Gujarati Samaj of Tampa President Kanti Bakarania. This year, once again Navratri celebrations will be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds (4800 U.S. 301 N). Unlike in previous years, Navratri will be held only on Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 22-23, Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 6-7.
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	Padmashri S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

A popular music extravaganza fundraising event will enthrall Floridians with a night of evergreen songs performed by one of India�s most famous singers � Padmashri S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The Hindu Society of Central Florida (HSCF) is hosting the show in its Community Hall at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9.

Bala � as he is known to millions of fans � has recorded more than 36,000 songs in various languages, ranging from Bengali to Malayalam. He recorded his first song in 1966 and it was such a hit that he gave up his engineering studies to become a playback singer. Over the years, Bala has garnered dozens of national awards and given hundreds of performances. His stage performances are well known for his high energy, magnetic voice and variety of styles and songs.
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Hindu Sangam, a daylong event on Sept. 16 in Tampa, will feature an extraordinary set of speakers and performers.

The event provides a unique setting for Hindus from all around Florida, with diverse backgrounds to unite, celebrate and revive the Hindu spirit. Some of the guests supporting the theme of Hindu unity are Sri Ravi Kumar, Sri Satyanarayan Mourya, Swami Aksharananda and Anuradha Paudwal.
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	Several Florida cities, from Tampa, above, to Tallahassee, celebrated the 59th Independence Day of India in August.

Tampa, Tallahassee, Orlando, Jacksonville, Coconut Creek (in South Florida) and Cocoa (Space Coast) and several other cities in the Sunshine State celebrated India�s Independence Day in August.

TAMPA: More than 1,700 people attended Indian Independence Day festivities Aug. 20 in Tampa. The chief guest for the annual event, organized by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), was Ambassador R.S. Jassal, who is the Deputy Chief of Mission to the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C. Other invited guests included State Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Tampa Police Chief Steve Hogg and many dignitaries
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