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We have an exciting year planned in 2013! Check back for updates throughout the year!
March 12th & 13th - EARTH AND WATER: Two solo Bharata Natyam performances by Anusha Fernando during the Vancouver International Dance Festival (VIDF). Works choreographed by Jayalakshmi Eshwar. Earth is personified as a woman cloaked in the oceans, wearing mountains on her body, the dancer showing her appreciation of the earth’s support and stability. In Water we see a celebration of the sacred river Ganga on whose banks the cycle of life and death is played out. 7:00 pm each night at The Roundhouse in Vancouver. FREE with the one-time annual purchase of your 2013 VIDF membership for $3 giving you access to all fifteen performances on the Roundhouse Community Stage after filling out your membership card and receiving your VIDF membership button. If you plan to see any of the ticketed VIDF mainstage shows at 8PM, your membership is already included in the ticket price. Click here to read more...
July - Five Faces: a duet bharata natyam performance by Anusha Fernando and Sujit Vaidya at the Crimson Coast Dance Society in Nanaimo.
October 5th - a Shakti Dance bharata natyam performance featuring Anusha Fernando at the Norman Rothstein Theatre in Vancouver.
November 17th - TEJAS: INTO THE LIGHT. Featuring: Anusha Fernando & Irene Vavasour - Bharatanatyam - South Indian classical dance - and and David Tsabar - Dhrupad - North Indian classical singing. 7:00 pm, Saturday, November 17th at St Mark`s Anglican Church, 1805 Larch Street (at 2nd Avenue). Free parking at rear. Tickets $20 - chai and samosas included - cash or cheque at the door. Click here to download the poster.
September 29th - AN EVENING OF DHRUPAD AND DRUMS. Featuring: David Tsabar and Stefan Cihelka. Shakti Dance is pleased to present these very talented artists performing North Indian Classical Vocals. 7:00 pm, Saturday, September 29th at St Mark's Anglican Church, 1805 Larch Street (2nd and Larch). Click here to download the poster.
August 4th - FUNDRAISER FOR SHAKTI DANCE. Featuring: Anusha Fernando, Sujit Vaidya and Irene Vavasour. 3:00 pm, Saturday, August 4th at St Mark's Anglican Church, 1805 Larch Street (2nd and Larch). Please join us at our upcoming fundraiser in support of Shakti Dance Society. The afteroon event will feature solo and duet Bharata Natyam performances by Anusha Fernando, Sujit Vaidya and Irene Vavasour. Refreshments will be included in the ticket price. $20 suggested donation at the door. Click here to download the poster.
CLASSICAL DANCE OF JAPAN AND INDIA. Featuring: Colleen Lanki (Fujima Sayu) and Anusha Fernando. April 23rd, 2011 at 3:00 pm. Shakti Dance and Tomoe Arts present a salon showing of solo Nihon Buyoh and Bharata Natyam performance exploring images of flowers, trees and nature. Followed by an artist talk and discussion. Snacks will be available. Join us once again in the cozy and intimate setting of the Radha Yoga and Eatery. Cost: $15, cash or cheque at the door. The Radha is at 728 Main Street in Vancouver and there is free street parking on Main, and metres on Union and Georgia Streets.
A WEEKEND OF INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE. Presented on May 28th and 29th, 2011 by Shakti Dance in partnership with The Roundhouse in Vancouver. At 8:00 pm on May 28th - The Sun and the Moon: Classical dance from the North and South of India. Join us for an exciting and diverse evening, featuring Kathak and Bharata Natyam in solo and group formation. Dancers: Rena Boggaram, Anusha Fernando , Trisha Rampersad and Sujit Vaidya. At 3:00 pm on May 29th - The Meeting Rivers: A Bharata Natyam Duet. Join us for the remount of this successful duet which premiered in November 2010 at Vancouver's first festival of Indian Classical dance, Gait to the Spirit. This show combines Bharata Natyam with the tenth century poetry of the Virashaivites, which focuses on the movement, change and intimacy necessary for liberation. "The waters of joy broke the banks and ran out of my eyes. I touched and joined the Lord of the Meeting Rivers. How can i talk to anyone of that?" Choreography: Jayalakshmi Eshwar. Dancers: Anusha Fernando and Sujit Vaidya. Tickets for each of the shows: $20 / Special: both shows for $30.
Join us on Thursday, November 25th and Thursday, December 9th from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Ten Thousand Villages at 2909 West Broadway and do your holiday shopping. Ten Thousand Villages is kindly doing two fundraising nights for Shakti Dance. Ten percent (10%) of all sales on those evenings will be donated to Shakti Dance to help us continue to support Bharata Natyam dance in Vancouver. Please let your friends know about this wonderful event!
THE MEETING RIVERS: The Poetry & Dance of Shiva. A Jayalakshmmi Eshwar Choreography. As part of the GAIT TO THE SPIRIT Festival of Classical Indian Dance (Thursday - Saturday, November 4-7, 2010), Shakti Dance in collaboration with Mandala Arts and Culture and The Dance Centre is pleased to present Anusha Fernando and Sujit Vaidya in this duet performance of Bharata Natyam Indian Classical Dance. A small reception will follow the performance. One show only: Friday, November 5th, 2010 at 8:00 pm in the Faris Theatre at the Scotiabank Dance Centre. Tickets $20, available in advance at Banyen Books www.banyen.com or 604-737-8858. Click here to view the poster. Full schedule, registration and ticket information for GAIT TO THE SPIRIT is at http://mandalarts.wordpress.com/festival/
JAYALAKSHMI ESHWAR: Classical Indian Dance - In Praise of the Divine Feminine - A Bharata Natyam Recital by world renowned master artist from New Delhi, India. 3 pm Sunday, July 11th, 2010 at St Bart's Cathedral, Gibsons, BC, 659 North Road (at main intersection). Tickets $20 available at Gaia Fair Trade. Also join us for these special events: 5 pm Saturday, July 10th: How to Wrap a Sari Workshop (all proceeds to benefit the New Moon Festival Society); and at 7pm Saturday, July 10th: Indian Vegetarian Dinner & Reception to meet the artist at Whispering Cedars Retreat in Bonniebrook. Contact meeranova@gmail.com or 1-778-886-1440 for more information. Click here to view the poster.
BHARATA NATYAM ARANGETRAM OF IRENE VAVASOUR: You and your family are invited to the Bharata Natyam Arangetram of Irene Vavasour, student of the Shakti Dance Society on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at 7:00 pm in The Norman Rothstein Theatre, 950 West 41st Avenue (at Oak Street), Vancouver BC http://www.normanrothsteintheatre.com/contact.php . Refreshments will be served following the performance. RSVP irene.vavasour@shaw.ca .
Click here to view Irene's invitation.
ANUSHA FERNANDO will perform with VANDNA SIDHER, SUJIT VAIDYA, and IRENE VAVASOUR at the Radha Yoga & Eatery at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 13th. Join us for an enjoyable afternoon of Bharata Natyam dances performed in the cozy and intimate setting of the Radha. Cost: $15 adults / $10 children, seniors, and Shakti members. The Radha is at 728 Main Street in Vancouver and there is free street parking on Main, and metres on Union and Georgia Streets. Click here for the flyer.
BHARATA NATYAM ARANGETRAM OF ALICIA DOBBS: The family of Alicia Dobbs, student of the Shakti Dance Society, invite you to Alicia's Arangetram (Indian Classical Dance two-hour solo graduation performance) on Saturday, January 16th, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Michael J. Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Avenue, Burnaby BC http://michaeljfoxtheatre.ca/location-directions (two blocks south of the Royal Oak skytrain station, near Royal Oak and Rumble Street). Refreshments will be served following the performance. RSVP elyndobbs@hotmail.com . Click here to view the invitation.
"PUSHPANJALI" our ANNUAL STUDENT SHOW: Come and watch our students perform in this annual showcase of the talent Shakti encourages! Performance begins at 3:30 pm on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at the Moverly Arts & Cultural Centre (MACC), 7646 Prince Altert Street (1 block East of Fraser at 60th Avenue). Tea and snacks will be served after the performance. Admission is only $10 and supports the summer workshops and visit from India of Srimati Jayalakshmi Eshwar. Shakti students and parents click here for important information about arrival and costumes. Click here for a poster of the event.
LIGHT - Celebrating Diwali Through Indian Dance, Music & Stories: 8:00 pm Saturday, October 24 & 2:00 pm Sunday, October 25 at the Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre (MACC), 7646 Prince Albert Street (1 block East of Fraser at 60th Avenue) - Adults $15, Children $10. Tickets available at Banyen Books www.banyen.com.
Featuring Anusha Fernando (Bharata Natyam Dancer) and Colleen Lanki (Storyteller), with Musicians David Tsabar, Neelamjit Dhillon, Stefan Cihelka, and Kalpana Prasad. This will be an interdisciplinary piece which tells the stories behind the celebration of Diwali. Diwali is celebrated throughout India, by many religious traditions, as the festival that acknowledges the triumph of Light over Darkness and Good over Evil. This piece will present the five stories and accompanying rituals that are traditionally associated with the five days of Diwali. The stories will be told through a blend of Indian Classical dance, sotrytelling, and live Indian classical music. CLICK HERE FOR THE POSTER
SARI DRAPING WORKSHOP: 7-9 pm Sunday, August 9th at the Shakti Dance Studio - $22 (including Masala Chai). Taught by the elegant Anjali Potdar, manager of Saravanaa Bhavan restaurant. Bring your saris, lots of large safety pins, a string for your waist or a petticoat, and choli (blouse) if you have one. Click here for the pdf poster / invitation
Learn how to drape and wear a sari properly in this fun evening workshop... If you've ever wondered what the best way to drape a sari is, now's the time to find out. Nobody wears a sari quite like the lovely Anjali Potdar, manager of Saravanaa Bhavan restaurant. Anjali has perfected this art form over the years with immaculate pleats and hip-hugging style that, as Anjali says, "brings out the best in any woman's figure." Bring a friend and come learn from Anjali how to drape your saris in the best possible way for your body type. At the same time, you'll discover the latest sari fashion trends from India. All proceeds will go toward bringing dance teacher and choreographer Jaya Lakshmi Eshwar from New Delhi to Vancouver for another summer of dance workshops in 2010. Help support this important part of dance training and bringing new dances to the stage.
COQUITLAM CELEBRATES CANADA DAY: Click here to view photos courtesy Gary YK Wong. Anusha Fernando performs with Sujit Vaidya on July 1, 2009.
INTIMACY - Exploring Shiva Through Dance & Poetry - Written and Performed by Anusha Fernando: Anusha Fernando will perform a unique and dramatic presentation of Bharata Natyam's traditional solo repertoire in praise of the Hindu God, Shiva. Based on the poetry of Mahadevyakka, this performance features the choreography of Jayalakshmi Eshwar and lighting design by Jonathan Ryder. Through dance, drama, and narration, this piece explores the relevance of the spiritual search of a 12th century female poet. Despite obstacles, Mahadevyakka dedicated her life to the truth. This piece emphasizes what is timeless and universal in Bharata Natyam's repertoire. Great music, poetry and choreography!
INTIMACY is Mahadevyakka's story. According to legend, she had been married off to the chieftain of her village, but soon renounced her role as wife and daughter and began to live the life of a homeless mendicant married to Shiva, who she called Cenna-mallika, her Jasmine Lord. 7:30 pm on Friday, January 16th & Saturday, January 17th at the Roundhouse in Downtown Vancouver. Tickets are $20 each ($15 admission if you are a current Shakti member) and are available through Banyen Books (phone 604-737-8858). Shakti Dance gratefully acknowledges funding from the City of Vancouver for this piece. PDF Press Release & Backgrounder PDF Poster JPG Flyer
Anusha Fernando will next take INTIMACY on the road for two performances: 5:00 pm on Sunday, January 25th at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons, and 7:00 pm on Saturday, February 7th at the David Lam Auditorium (UVIC), Victoria. Click here to read the preview in the Victoria Times Colonist. The University of Victoria's Society for Indian Classical Arts (SICA) presents INTIMACY at 7:00 pm on Saturday, February 7th in the David Lam Auditorium (UVIC), Victoria. Click here for a PDF Event Flyer.
GODS, DEMONS & YOGIS: Remount and BC Tour! With its script and myth adaptation by Anusha Fernando in collaboration with Adrienne Wong, GODS, DEMONS & YOGIS brings together some of Vancouver's finest talent in a unique interdisciplinary performance blending the classical Indian dance of Anusha Fernando with storytelling, martial arts and live music. This remount storytelling by Colleen Lanki, martial arts by Kelly Maclean and music performed by Neelamjit Dhillon (Tabla, Sitar, Flute), Stefan Cihelka (Tabla and other percussion), David Tsabar (Dhrupad Vocals), and Kalpana Prasad (north Indian Classical Vocal). Please join us at the Roundhouse Community Centre on Sunday, March 15, 2009 for two presentations - 2 pm and 4 pm - for Dance Allsorts, a popular and low cost series that takes place throughout the year at the Roundhouse. This show is part of the Cultural Olympiad-Vancouver 2010! On another happy note, the BC Arts Council has funded us to tour this show to small communities in BC in the Spring of 2009. Look for us on March 7th at the Metro Theatre in Victoria and on March 13th at Artspring on Saltspring Island.
See photos of the Roundhouse performance here (with many thanks to Harry Brewster, photography).
GDY Victoria PDF Press Release GDY Victoria JPG Poster
GDY Saltspring PDF Press Release GDY Saltspring JPG Poster
Photos (c)Duane Burnett: GDY(1) GDY(2) GDY (3)
November -- At 3:00 pm on Sunday, November 30th, in the Faris Production Studio at the Scotiabank Dance Centre in Downtown Vancouver, adult and advanced students of Shakti Dance performed in our annual school show, this year titled SHRI - Classical Indian Dance. A huge thank-you to all our friends, family, colleagues, supporters, and members ... and definitely to all the wonderful dancers and crew who made SHRI a fabulous success. It was a sold-out show, of warm and appreciative audience members. Thank you all for your dedication and enthusiasm!
September -- Anusha Fernando and musicians David Tsabar, Neelamjit Dhillon and Kalpana Prasad are the featured act at the New Moon Festival in Gibsons on September 13th. This is a new festival that highlights Asian art in BC. For more information, please visit the New Moon Festival website.
Anusha Fernando will also be performing at the Tyagaraja Festival, produced by the local South Indian music society Sa Pa Sa for their annual Tyagaraja Aradhana on September 27th at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in North Vancouver.
May -- We are pleased to work with Caravan World Rhythms to present Gods, Demons and Yogis on May 3, 2008 at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons, BC. Ticketing is through the Caravan World Rhythms website. We are pleased to report this was a sold-out audience!
March -- On Saturday, March 15th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, Shakti offers a free workshop with Anusha Fernando at the Radha Yoga & Eatery, 728 Main Street, Vancouver BC. This "Introduction to Bharata Natyam" is an ideal way for adult beginners to learn a little more about this classical Indian dance form, and to experience the connection between mind and body as they work together.
The Shakti Dance Society makes these workshops available to yoga and martial arts organizations in an effort to explore the connections between these related art forms. Contact us if you are interested in bringing the Bharata Natyam experience to your organization.
Gods Demons and Yogis on October 21 & 22 at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre. This is an interdisciplinary work featuring music, storytelling and Bharata Natyam that focuses on the expressive potential of Indian classical dance and music and the contemporary relevance of traditional tales. The cast includes: Colleen Lanki (Storyteller/Actor) Neelamjit Dhillon (Tabla, Sitar, Flute) Stefan Cihelka (Tabla and Percussion) David Tsabar (Dhrupad vocals) Kalpana Prasad(North Indian Classical vocals) Kelly Maclean (martial artists) and Anusha Fernando (Bharata Natyam dance).
Jayalakshmi Eshwar's summer workshop
We are pleased to announce our annual summer workshop with Bharata Natyam master, Jayalakshmi Eshwar. This will take place in July 2007. Jayalakshmi Eshwar's Lecture Demo is July 21, 2007 at the Western Front.
October 25, Dance of the Seven Veils, Heart of the City Festival, 8:30pm, Radha Eatery
October 20, Shakti Dance performs for Diwali at Kitsilano Community Centre
October 1, Anusha Fernando Solo performance at the Radha Eatery
May 9, Shakti Dance Collective at the Rime Cafe
March 5, In the House-Dances from around the world
March 25, Sights and Sounds of India-Shakti Dance Artists at the Radha Eatery
July 12, Anusha Fernando and Lehera at the Pacific Rim Festival of the Arts, Tofino, BC
July 29, Shakti Dance at the Caribbean Festival
May 1, Vandna Sidher's Arangetram at the Douglas College Performing Arts Theatre
July, Workshops and private lessons with Jayalakshmi Eshwar
July 24, Sruti and Smrti, a performance by Jayalakshmi Eshwar at the Scotia Bank Dance Centre
September 10, Body of Dance at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons BC
September 24 & 25, Body of Dance at the Roundhouse Community Centre
November 5, Sheri Poulsen's Arangetram at the Roundhouse Community Centre
November and December, Study trip to India
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