Venue: Brown Theater at Wortham Theater Center
Date: February -- March 2010
It is clear that anything Indian and Bollywood is now sure to create a stir, with the world premiere of Stanton Welch’s La Bayadère in Houston, Texas, India did not have to struggle much to be in the limelight.
La Bayadère opened in Houston on February 25th 2010 and will be playing at the Wortham Theater till March 7, 2010. A two and a half hour ballet set in the Royal India of the past, La Bayadère is a story of eternal love, mystery, fate, vengeance, and justice. The ballet relates the drama of a temple dancer (Bayadère), Nikiya, who is loved by Solor, a noble warrior. She is also loved by the High Brahmin, but does not love him in return, as she does Solor.
A must see for ballet lovers or any one with a good taste for music, dance and extraordinary costumes and grandeur. As the audience enters the hall they are treated with a gorgeous Indian palace-like backdrop with domes reminiscent of the Taj Mahal. The sexy Bollywood inspired costumes with fantasy like images and decor gives the ballet a fresh look.
Event: Hilcroft/Harwin Area gets A New Name
Venue: East West Appliance, Hilcroft
Date: Saturday, January 16, 2010
On January 16, 2010 the Hilcroft/Harwin area got a new name. It was a moment of joy for many Indian Americans in Houston since after years of effort led by the India Culture Center, the area of Hilcroft and Harwin is now to be known as the Mahatma Gandhi district.
The project was proposed during the tenure of former Mayor of Houston Bill White while the new Mayor Annise Parker officially renamed the District along with other City of Houston officials and the Consul General of India in Houston, Sanjiv Arora.
It was snowing in Houston on Friday but that did slow down fashion enthusiasts from attending a fundraiser luncheon hosted by Pratham USA. About 200 women with a fashionable attitude and zen for the cause gathered at the Junior League of Houston. Pratham is a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged children in India with pre-school and primary education.
Fashion and glam looks were provided by SAKS FIFTH AVENUE /DOLCE & GABBANA.
Over a seated luncheon, Marie Goradia emceed the event, while the Pratham Houston President Sonu Anand made a brief speech about the charity work Pratham has been doing for the past years here in the States and in India. Followed by some fall looks and evening party dresses by Prada, DKNY, Rachel Roy and other prominent designers.
On a Sunday afternoon, women in fashionable outfits gathered for the first of a series of upcoming mixers presented by Lights Camera Action titled ‘Bizzy Women’. At each event, Lights Camera Action will aim to highlight a woman owned small business. This mixer highlighted Madhavi Gokhale’s Desserts ‘n’ More [www.dessertsnmore.com].
Each event provides an opportunity to mix, mingle, dress up and be photographed. The idea is to have fun while at the same time help each other’s business goals. Surprises await at each mixer.
Concerned members of the South Asian community gathered pool side to discuss justice for Asian American families at the beautiful home of noted immigration lawyer George Willy on Monday November 9, 2009.
The Asian American Justice Center, based in Washington DC, is one of the organizations in the United States dedicated to protecting the interests of Asian Americans including the South Asian community. AAJC, over the years, has battled prejudices against Asian Americans in the U.S. by lobbying heavily for legislation on hate crimes and other legislation affecting the community.
The purpose for the gathering was to welcome Karen Narasaki, the President and Executive Director of AAJC and to kick-off a campaign in support of AAJC.
George Willy, in an exclusive interview, expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the incident where Bollywood super star Sharukh Khan was detained at Newark airport.
For more information on these and other immigration issues go to the AAJC website at advancingequality.org.
Event: GlamShop Fashion Show
Venue: Patio on Mercer, Houston, Texas
Date: October 13-14, 2009
Report: Ruchi Mukherjee
The two night fun filled GlamShop fundraiser shopping event and fashion show came to an end yesterday with a good turnout, mostly women of all ages. The event was aptly called “girls’ just wanna have fun” as the ladies did enjoy the outdoor patio shopping spree with a giant screen playing all girls’ favorite movie ‘Sex and the City’ and of course the main highlight was the fashion show debut of a new celebrity line by Rachel Roy.
Rachel Roy is a Manhattan-based fashion designer. Her collection will be available at any Macy’s store in Houston. You can also visit www.rachelroy.com to learn more about her style.
At the fashion show her collection highlighted bright colors, sequined over sized handbags, open toed high heel boots and printed and solid color dresses seemed to be the trend.
Event: Inaugural of Ayurvedic Center in Houston
Venue: Hillcroft, Houston, Texas
Date: Friday October 9, 2009
Report: Ruchi Mukherjee
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With the Indian festival of lights Diwali just a week away, Hillcroft Shopping plaza was privileged with the opening of an Ayurvedic Center.
Swami Ramdev
Divya Products is the name of the store that will be distributors for Divya and Patanjali Products. Owner Ruby Agarwal and son Meet were absolutely thrilled as the ribbon cutting of the store was done by none other than Yogrishi Swami Ramdevji. A high attendance was seen on this Friday morning as they waited to get blessed by Baba Ramdevji as they fondly call him.
This year during his stay Swami Ramdev is conducting a two day Yog Science Camp with Patanjali Yogpeeth members on October 9-10.
Event: Reception For South Asian Chamber of Commerce Gala
Date: September 30, 2009
Venue: Toyota Center, Lexus Lounge, Houston, Texas
Report: Ruchi Mukherjee
The South Asian Chamber of Commerce invited Houstonians to kick-off the gala festivities on Wednesday September 30, 2009. This exclusive reception was hosted by the Chambers’ platinum sponsors the Houston Rockets, showcasing the success of the Chamber and the benefits of supporting their 2009 upcoming gala.
In spite of it being in the middle of the week the event witnessed a good crowd with gala sponsors and special guests of the SACC Board, who were joined by Houston Rockets executives and power dancers. “The reception was quite successful as we manged to mix and mingle and sell many more tables for our upcoming gala,” says SACC gala co-chair Munira Panjwani.
The South Asian Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 16th Annual Gala on October 29, 2009 with Ali Velshi, CNN’s Senior Business Correspondent, at the Westin Oaks Galleria. The gala is themed to celebrate the Art of Business, Media and Politics.
SACC top sponsors include Houston Rockets, Continental Airlines, Richmond Printing Qatar Airways, Rupani Foundation, Apex Group, Wallis State Bank, Mega Energy, Bollywood Shows 4 U, Outreach Strategists, Lone Star Petroleum, Impex and George Willy are just to name a few. SACC also appreciates the dedication of its media sponsors, who will all be honored by CNN’s Ali Velshi at the media VIP reception.
Event: Indian Film Festival of Houston Closing Night Gala
Venue: Intercontinental Hotel, Houston, Texas
Date: September 26, 2009
Report: Ruchi Mukherjee
Photography: Ajay Sarpeshkar
Houston finally concluded a week long celebration of Indian cinema with a celebrity gala held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Houston,
Ruchi M with Actress Manisha Koirala
Texas on September 26, 2009. After ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ made a mark at the Oscars, Houston based film maker Sutapa Gosh felt that the time was right to give Houstonians a taste of Indian cinema. The film festival kicked-off with a reception party at Hotel Sorella Citycenter and showcased a few selected Indian films at Studio Movie Grill from September 21-25, 2009.
The Indian Film Festival of Houston is a non-profit organization devoted to creating a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by show casing quality films. The First Annual Indian Film Festival of Houston brought the best films made in different regional languages. A feast including ten feature-length movies, short films and documentaries. Screenings included Smile Pinki, an award-winning documentary about an impoverished girl whose life is changed by free surgery, bengali film ‘Janala’, Deepti Naval’s ‘Do paise ki dhoop Chaar aane ki baarish’ and Student Academy Awards Winner ‘Kavi’ by Gregg Helvey.
Gregg Helvey winner of the film Kavi
The festival was enjoyed by an international audience that featured question and answer sessions with directors, cast and the audience.
Friday evening saw the biggest crowds as Deepti Naval, Manisha Koirala and others showed up at Studio Movie Grill. The week wrapped with a star studded red carpet high profile celebrity gala which had 400 plus in attendance. The main highlight of the evening were the fashion statements of the guests at the gala.
Dr. Carolyn Farb’s mauve attire ‘lehenga’ (an Indian outfit) was quite a show stopper. Joanne King Herring who as usual never failed to impress with her warm personality and exotic costume. Dressed in gold, Joanne not only turned many heads but honored the theme of the celebrity gala. However, the very beautiful bollywood actress Manisha Koirala who charmed the guests with her personality did little with her outfit and looks. “It seems like she just rolled out of bed” says an onlooker. Deepti did maintain her directorial personality with a classy Indian saree.
Pretty in Mauve Carolyn Farb
Others present at the gala were Pop singer and India’s best playback singer Sonu Nigam, and model/television actor Mohammed Iqbal Khan.
Proceeds from the festival and gala will benefit the Indian Film Festival of Houston and MediSend International, that supports under resourced hospitals in developing countries with a multi-dimentional approach to improving community health.
Politics, entertainment, great fashion and a scrumptious meal, the 2009 Indo American Charity Foundation “Seduction of the Monsoon” themed gala had it all. Keynote speaker Varun Gandhi can be held responsible for drawing a good crowd. However, what got it going was the entertaining bollywood monsoon seduction style dance performances and the little chocolate goodies presented on the tables by Madhavi Gokhale of Desserts ‘n’ More.
Varun Gandhi, son of Menaka Gandhi and late Sanjay Gandhi, spoke at the occasion on various topics from India’s poverty to India’s entrepreneurial skills. “India is not a poor country but a poorly managed country,” said Varun.
He was quite impressed with the organization and the support that Indians living abroad provided for their country India.
Founded in 1988 by a group of Houstonians of Indian origin, IACF has developed into a highly respected, multi-faceted endeavor to help those in need of health, education and human services. IACF serves as a conduit between philanthropists and organizations such as UNICEF, Casa De Esperanza, YMCA, Daya, Indian Doctors Association Clinic, and Child Advocates of Fort Bend, to name a few.
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