TAMPA/PINELLAS PARK
The Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay will celebrate Navratri from 9 p.m. on Sept. 30-Oct. 1 and Oct. 7-8 at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301, Tampa. Ramzat Group (orchestra of three singers, four musicians) from India with celebrity garba artists and playback singers Brijesh Parekh and Shobhna Sankar will perform. Also, the Samaj and India Cultural Center will hold Kids Garba (for families with kids age 11 and younger) from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 2 at ICC, 5511 Lynn Road. For information, call GSTB President Jigisha Desai at (813) 731-7747.
Sanatan Mandir at 311 E. Palm Ave., Tampa, will celebrate Navratri beginning on Oct. 1 with Durga Puja daily from 5 to 8 p.m. For details, call the temple at (813) 221-4482, email [email protected] or visit www.sanatanmandirtampa.org
Ambaji Mandir at 10991 58th St., in Pinellas Park, will celebrate Navratri with daily garba at 7:30 p.m. from Oct. 1 onward. For more information, call the Mandir at (727) 388-6685 or visit www.ambajimandir.org
Sri Laxmi Narayan Mandir will hold Navratri celebrations daily from Oct. 1 with garba singing/dance at 7:30 p.m. Sri Laxmi Narayan Mandir is at 4615 George Road, Tampa. For information, call the temple at (813) 444-9786.
SOIKOT (Bengali Association of Greater Tampa Bay) will hold Durga Puja from Oct. 7-9 at India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa. For details, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.soikot.org
Telangana Association of Florida, Tampa Bay, and Telugu Association of Florida, Tampa Bay, will hold Bathukamma (Dussera celebrations) from 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 8 at Lettuce Lake Park, 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa. For information, call Chandu Talla at (813) 476-9508 or Dr. Neeraja Jasthi at (813) 789-4976.
ORLANDO/CASSELBERRY/LAKE MARY
The Gujarati Society of Central Florida will hold Navratri Garba from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sept. 30-Oct. 1, and Oct. 7-9 at Lyman High School, 865 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood. Admission is free for Gujarati society members; $25 per day for non-members and $15 for students with ID. For information, call (407) 342-0117 or visit http://www.gujaratisocietycfl.com/
Indian Cultural Society of Orlando will hold Navratri Raas Garba Sept. 30-Oct. 1 and Oct. 7-8 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Greenwood Lakes Middle School, 601 Lake Park Drive, Lake Mary. It is free for cultural society members. For information, call Vijay Joshi at (407) 701-2989 or visit www.icsocfl.com
Hindu Society of Central Florida (HSCF) temple will hold Navratri celebrations from Oct. 2 to Oct. 10 in the community hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry. Snacks will be available at the canteen stall. Dussehra celebration will be at 5 p.m. on Oct. 15. For more information, call Mahesh Kapadia at (407) 902-8634, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
INVERNESS
Navratri at the Shirdi Sai Florida Center, 4707 S. Pleasant Grove Road, will begin on Oct. 1 with Vijaya Dashami (Dussera) celebrated on Oct. 10. For information, call (352) 860-2181.
SOUTH FLORIDA
FORT LAUDERDALE: The Indian Regional & Cultural Center (IRCC) will celebrate Navratri from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 at Silver Trail Middle School, 18300 Sheridan St., Fort Lauderdale. IRCC members pay $10 per day, non-members are $15 and seniors are $5. For information, call (954) 543-1539 or visit www.irccflorida.com
PALM BEACH: Palm Beach India Association will celebrate Navratri/Garba from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sept. 30-Oct. 1 and Oct. 7-8. For venue and other information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.gopbia.com
BARTOW/LAKELAND/WINTER HAVEN
The Bhartiya Samaj of Central Florida will celebrate Navratri at 8 p.m. Sept. 23-24, Sept. 30-Oct. 1 and Oct. 7-8 at Bartow Civic Center, 2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow. For more information, call Subhash S. Patel at (863) 648-0294, Vinoobhai Patel at (863) 293-0942 or visit www.bscfl.com
MELBOURNE (SPACE COAST)
The Indian Association of the Space Coast will hold Navratri celebrations from 8 to midnight on Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 at Viera High School, 6103 Stadium Parkway, Viera. For more information, call (321) 271-7072, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.iascbrevard.com
Also, Manav Mandir temple, 7400 Waelti Drive, Melbourne, will begin Navratri, Garba and Amba Puja at 7 p.m. daily from Oct. 1-10. Durga Ashtami Havan will be on Oct. 9 and Dassera on Oct. 11. For information, call (321) 426-0688 or visit www.mmbrevard.org
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Tampa Indo-US Chamber Banyan Ball SET SEPT. 24
It has been a solid 16 years since the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce held its first Banyan Ball in the hopes of being able to give back to the organization’s members and supporters. The ball’s theme is a metaphoric representation of the conversations, unity and camaraderie that is built when gathered under a banyan tree.
One of the tenets of the Banyan Ball is the facilitation of a unique opportunity to network with business and community leaders. Today, the event has turned into an elegant black-tie affair, honoring Asian-American businesses and individuals who have distinguished themselves through professionalism and community service.
The regal-themed Banyan Ball will be held from 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, at a new venue -- Kapok Special Events Center, 923 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater. The program will include a cocktail reception, keynote speech, presentation of business awards, dinner and entertainment. Emcee will be Jennifer Epstein, anchor/reporter for Fox 13 and Good Day Tampa Bay.
The annual event is sold out every year. Tickets are $200 per person and $2,000 for a table of 10, and can be purchased at www.indo-us.org For more information, call (813) 451-8229 or (813) 841-9216.
WHAT: “Beyond Bollywood: 22nd annual South Asian Film Festival”
WHEN: Oct. 1-3
TICKETS: Series pass - $50 or individual tickets - $11 per movie
WHERE: Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland. For movie timings and other information, visit www.enzian.org or call (407) 333-3667.
‘BEYOND BOLLYWOOD: SOUTH ASIAN FILM FEST’ OCT. 1-3 IN ORLANDO
“Beyond Bollywood: 22nd Annual South Asian Film Festival,” which will take place Oct. 1-3, showcases diverse images of South Asian (India/Pakistan) culture and heritage through acclaimed independent films from across the globe. The program is part of Enzian Theater’s cultural festival circuit and is co-presented with the Asian Cultural Association and sponsored by Orlando Weekly.
“This is the first time we are doing a Shorts program called ‘Chhota Cinema’ and there will be an Audience Choice award,” said Jasbir Mehta, ACA program. Below is a synopsis of the confirmed movies to be shown during the three-day festival.
“FOR HERE OR TO GO”
An aspiring Indian tech entrepreneur in the Silicon Valley finds himself unexpectedly battling the bizarre American immigration system to keep his dream alive or prepare to return home forever. The film’s writer/producer Rishi Bhilawadikar and another cast member will be present at the Enzian screening.
English; 105 minutes; directed by Rucha Humnabadkar
“WAITING”
Two strangers visiting their comatose partners meet in a hospital and bond over their shared experiences. Starring Naseerudin Shah and Kalki Koechlin.
Hindi; 1 hour 39 minutes; directed by Anu Menon
“ORIGINAL COPY”
In the heart of Mumbai lives Sheikh Rehman, the city's last painter of film posters. But today's movie posters are printed on plastic, and his audiences are being kept away by new high-rise buildings. It's a hopeless struggle, but Rehman won't give up.
Hindu and English with English subtitles; 95 minutes; directed by Florian Heinzen-Ziob and Georg Heinzen
“DHEEPAN”
Three Sri Lankan refugees pretend to be a family as they try to make better lives for themselves in a Parisian housing project.
French film shot in Tamil; 1 hour, 55 minutes; directed by Jacques Audiard
“LEECHES” – SHORT FILM
In the chaotic old city of Hyderabad, 18-year old Raisa hatches a dangerous and improbable plan to save her younger sister from becoming a one-day bride.
Urdu/Dakhani; 27 minutes; directed by Payal Sethi
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“MAST QALANDER” – SHORT FILM
A teenage boy wants nothing more for his birthday than a new haircut — unfortunately, he can’t get his hands on a pair of scissors.
Punjabi; 15 minutes; directed by Divij Roopchand
“FAMOUS IN AHMEDABAD” – SHORT
Set during the kaleidoscopic backdrop of the kite-flying festival in Ahmedabad, the documentary witnesses the transformation of an 11-year-old boy next door to an aggressive kite-runner until he comes across a hindrance that prevents him from flying kites on the terrace. It won the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film last year.
Gujarati, Hindi; 29 minutes; directed by Hardik Mehta
“CHHAYA” – ANIMATED SHORT
An old man trapped in a mundane senior center living by the memory of his beloved wife as his own shadow. But as his past sets in threatening his present, Prakash finds himself before a difficult decision: a mesmerizing but, unreal dream or life itself?
10 minutes; directed by Debanjan Nandy
4th ANNUAL MANASOTA/SARASOTA INDIA FESTIVAL SEPT. 10
More than 4,000 people attended the fourth annual India Festival Sept. 10 in the Manasota/Sarasota area. Organized by the Gujarati Association of Manasota and the Indian American Association of Manatee and Sarasota, the festival will once again be held at Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto. There are an estimated 300 families in the area.
On the agenda are cultural activities, vendor booths offering food, clothes, jewelry, henna, etc. The event begins at noon with exhibits and a cultural program. There also will be a special presentation of yoga, its origin and benefits at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $3 per person (children younger than 5 years of age are free) and available at the venue or can be picked up in advance at India Bazaar in Bradenton (941) 756-5373. Parking is free.
For information, call Festival Chairman Vikram Rao at (941) 524-6545 or visit www.manasotaindiafest.com
