BAY AREA CALENDAR MAY-JUNE 2009

May 3 Sunday

 Tribute to Tagore Jayanti. Celebrate the contributions of this remarkable artist, poet, and statesman, Rabindranath Tagore. The mostly musical program will be led by Shyamoshree Diamond Gupta and friends. Potluck luncheon follows the celebration. 11 a.m. Cultural Integration Fellowship, 2650 Fulton St., San Francisco. (415) 668-1559. culturalintegrationfellowship@sbcglobal.net.

 Bharathanatyam dance by Abhinaya Dance Company, featuring Mythili Kumar and Rasika Kumar, with live music. Vocal concert by Sikkil Gurucharan, accompanied by Nagai Sriram (violin) and Thiruvarur Vaidyanathan (mridangam). 1:30-4 p.m. dance; 4:30 p.m. concert. $15 one event; $25 both. CET Auditorium, 701 Vine St., San Jose. (510) 796-5252. Tickets: www.sulekha.com.

<>Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration. Enjoy a journey of words and movement with Megumi, a bilingual storyteller; dance to the beat of a lively music and dance performance by San Francisco’s Gen Taiko; immerse in AsiaAlive and create an artwork, or try on traditional costumes and masks inspired by the exhibition, "The Dragon’s Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan." Part of the Target First Free Sunday program. 12-4 p.m. AsiaAlive; 1-2 p.m. performance. Samsung Hall, Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., San Francisco. (415) 581-3600. www.asianart.org.

Basant Jashn-e-Baharan, a family kite-flying competition. Also featuring food, live music, games, and competitions. Presented by the Pakistani American Cultural Center. 12-5 p.m. Baylands Park, Sunnyvale (off Highway 237 and Lawrence). Free. (408) 656-7818.

Art That Packs a Punch, art exhibit by Tanya Momi. Momi has done collages, social realism, cubism, and sculpture. This exhibit relates to her themes of social realism and personal awareness. Much of Momi’s art is also inspired by the Sikh faith and scriptures that she practices. Presented by Spoil Me Spa and Salon.1:30-7:30 p.m. 2290 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View. Free. RSVP: (650) 961-5262; .

Book Reading. Leaving India: My Family’s Journey from Five Villages to Five Continents, is Minal Hajratwala’s narrative nonfiction book on the phenomenal growth of India’s diaspora over the past century. Combining meticulous reporting with a literary style that has been described as lyrical and novelistic, Leaving India explores the collisions of choice and history that led one family, and millions of other people from India, to migrate across the world. Event scheduled at queer open mic night. 7:30-10:30 p.m. K’Vetsh, EROS Lounge, 2051 Market, San Francisco. Free. (415) 255-4921.

May 7 Thursday
Cultures of Servitude: Modernity, Domesticity, and Class in India, lecture by Raka Ray and Seemin Qayum for a discussion of their new book. They offer an ethnographic account of domestic life and servitude in contemporary Kolkata, India, with a concluding comparison with New York City. Presented by the Center for South Asia Studies, University Press Books, and Stanford University Press. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Center for South Asia Studies, UC Berkeley, 10 Stephens Hall, Room 2310, Berkeley. (510) 642-3608. http://southasia.berkeley.edu. 

May 8 Friday
 
In the Mood! Annual Jazz Dinner and Dance Fundraiser, to benefit Mission San Jose High School’s Peforming Arts Department. Presented by the Mission San Jose High School’s Performing Arts Department and Parents of Universal Performers. 6:30-11 p.m. Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom, Fremont. $55. Semi-formal attire requested. Proceeds will support Performing Arts students. (510) 668-6077.

Sarode Concert by Anupam Shobhakar. Coming from a musical family, Shobhakar is a young sarode artist of a high caliber. His grandfather, Shri Bhavani Shankar Shovakar, studied sitar with the father of Nikhil Banerjee, and Anupam Shovakar began his training with Suresh Vyas, a student of Ma Annapurna Devi. Presented by the Sangati Center. 8 p.m. 3049 22nd St., San Francisco. www.sangaticenter.org.

May 9 Saturday
MAITRI Concert

  SANTA CLARA CONV CENTER,
  Tasman X Great America
MAY 9th 6 PM to 8 PM
Tickets $100/$50 and $25
First come First served
408-436-8393  510-673-0822  or 650-387-7431 
Maitri fundraiser program  Rupa and the April Fishes in concert. Described as "border-shattering music," the gypsy folk band has songs in French, Spanish, English, and Hindi. Presented by Maitri. 6-8 p.m. Santa Clara Convention Center Auditorium, 5001 Great American Parkway, Santa Clara. $25, $50, $100. Proceeds benefit nonprofit organization Maitri. (408) 436-8393, (510) 673-0822, (650) 387-7431. www.maitri.org.

Shehnai Concert by Ustad Ali Ahmad Hussain, a world-leading shehnai exponent. He will be accompanied by his two sons. Presented by Basant Bahar. 5:30 p.m. Jain Bhawan Auditorium, 722 S. Main Street, Milpitas. $15, $20. (510) 651-6386. contact@basantbahar.org.  www.basantbahar.org.

Parikrama: The Mystic Journey, a colorful mix of traditional Indian folk dances and drama. The audience is taken through the rich folk traditions and diversity of India to narrate the story of a prince and his unique and thrilling experiences as he sets out to experience the joy of freedom. The performance is composed of over 90 performers, vibrant music, visual effects, and original choreography. A benefit for South Asian Heart Center by Nupur Folk Dance Academy. 4 p.m. Campbell Heritage Theater, 1 W. Campbell Ave, Suite C31,Campbell. 4 p.m. $10, $15, $25. Tickets: perfomanceseats@gmail.com;  www.nupurfolkdance.org.

May 10 Sunday
 
Bhakti Sudha, a discourse-concert on selections from immortal compositions of Saint Purandara Dasa and Saint Tyagaraja, by Sangeeta Vidushi who will be accompaned by Accompanied by Rangashree Varadarajan (violin), Ravindra Bharathy Sridharan (mridangam), and A. Mahadevan (morsing). Directed by Jayashree Varadarajee, founder/director of Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandir School of Fine Arts. Presented by Yuva Bharati. 4-6:30 p.m. CET Solo Theater, 701 Vine St., San Jose. Free. swaralahari@gmail.com.  www.swaralahari.org.

Mothers Day special by KKNC  Kannada Koota of Northern California  3 PM  Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, 420 Persian Drive, Sunnyvale,
408-838-2022 www.kknc.org

Land of the Thunder Dragon Family Festival. In conjunction with the special exhibition "The Dragon’s Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan," families are invited to celebrate Mother’s Day with art and cultural traditions from the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan and its neighbors, Nepal and Tibet. Watch local kinetic storytellers Eth-Noh-Tec present Bhutanese folk tales; create a thangka of the Four Friends, a popular Bhutanese folk tale about a bird, a rabbit, a monkey, and an elephant living harmoniously together; sculpt a sacred lotus flower; observe a traditional Bhutanese music performance and listen to members of Bring Me a Book Foundation spin stories from the Himalayas. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., an Francisco. Free with museum admission. www.asianart.org.

Bhakti Sudha, a discourse-concert on selections from immortal compositions of Saint Purandara Dasa and Saint Tyagaraja, by Sangeeta Vidushi who will be accompaned by Accompanied by Rangashree Varadarajan (violin), Ravindra Bharathy Sridharan (mridangam), and A. Mahadevan (morsing). Directed by Jayashree Varadarajee, founder/director of Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandir School of Fine Arts. Presented by Yuva Bharati. 4-6:30 p.m. CET Solo Theater, 701 Vine St., San Jose. Free. swaralahari@gmail.com.  www.swaralahari.org.

Bansuri Concert by Nityanand Haldipur, a leading flautist of the country and a part of the famous Maihar Gharana. He is a student of Annapurna Devi (Padma Bhushan) who is the daughter of Allaudin Khan, the founder of Maihar Gharana which includes such stalwarts as Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan, Nikhil Bannerjee, Pannalal Ghosh etc. Nityanandji is one of the few bansuri players around today to have had the privilege of training with Pannalal Ghosh, the maestro credited with turning the bamboo flute into a solo Hindustani classical instrument. Organized by Spic Macay Stanford. 7-9 p.m. A3C Ballroom, Old Union Clubhouse, 520 Lausen Mall, Stanford University. Free. www.spicmacay.com.

May 11 Monday

Religion at War, talk by Reza Aslan, award-winning author and columnist for The Daily Beast, discusses on the ideology that fuels al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and like-minded militants throughout the Muslim world. With a look at the United States’ approach to the War on Terror, he examines the polarizing rhetoric that has further entangled politics with religion. He asserts that the only way to win an ideological war is to refuse to fight one: We must strip away the current ideological conflict of its religious connotations and address the actual grievances that fuel the Jihadist movement. 5:30 p.m. registration, 6 p.m. program. World Affairs Council Auditorium, 312 Sutter St., Second Floor, San Francisco. $15 general; $5 student; members free. 415.293.4600. info@wacsf.org.  www.itsyourworld.org.

May 12 Tuesday

Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East: Challenges and Opportunities, talk by Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the United Nations. Khalilzad’s record in one of the most turbulent periods in U.S. foreign policy has earned him broad respect throughout the world. He dealt with global issues including the recent Russia-Georgia conflict and the Mumbai terror attacks. The highest-ranking Muslim to serve in the U.S. government, he has been the US Ambassador to both Afghanistan and Iraq, where he played a significant role in facilitating both countries’ constitutions, elections and formation of government. Organized by the World Affairs Council. Registration 6 p.m., program 6:30-8 p.m. Marines’ Memorial Association, 609 Sutter St., San Francisco. $35 general; $20 WAC and Marines’ Memorial members. (415) 293-4600. info@wacsf.org.  www.itsyourworld.org.

May 16 Saturday

Veena Recital by a Veena Maestro Ms.Jayalakshmi Sekhar,She will be accompanied by an experienced Mridungum Specialist Mr.Brahmanandam. Flyer attached. Entrance Free.Donations appreciated. Sanatana Dharma Kendra, 897 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 at 11am-1.00pm  Pradjoshi@gmail.com. Ph#( 408)733-7442

May 19 Tuesday

Immigration Community Forum, a panel of immigration and employment attorneys will address the legal concerns of H-1B workers and other immigrants facing potential layoffs. Options for remaining lawfully in the U.S. will be discussed. Attorneys will be available after the presentation for free consultations, 15 minutes per person. 6-7:30 p.m. Mayuri Restaurant, 2230 El Camino Real, Santa Clara. $10 (waivers available for special circumstances). (408) 249-3373. contact@immi-law.com.

May 20 Wednesday

War of Necessity, War of Choice, talk by Richard Haass, president of Council on Foreign Relations. Haass served as senior Middle East advisor on the National Security Council staff for the first President Bush and director of policy planning in the State Department for the second and is in a unique position to discuss the 1991 and 2003 conflicts. At first glance, these conflicts appear similar, but Haass argues that they are not. The first Iraq war, following Saddam’s invasion of neighboring Kuwait, was a war of necessity. By contrast, the second Iraq war, launched in 2003, was a war of choice, one that Haass asserts was unwarranted. Presented by the World Affairs Council. 6 p.m. registration; 6:30-7:30 p.m. program. $15 general; $5 student; WAC and CFR members free. 312 Sutter St., Second Floor, San Francisco. (415) 293-4600. info@wacsf.org.  www.itsyourworld.org.

May 21 Thursday

Hindustani Classical Sitar Concert by Smita Nagdev. Organized by the San Francisco Intnerational Arts Festival, the Sangati Center, and the Asian Art Museum. 7 p.m. The Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., San Francisco. Free with museum admission. www.asianart.org.  (See story for details.)

May 22 Friday

Gujarat Day Celebration. Two day Celebration -Dandiaraas by Praful Dave and group, music by Dimple Patel and group. Presented by Bay Area Gujarati Samaj. 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Sunnyvale Temple and Community Center, 420 Persian Drive, Sunnyvale. $10; children under 5 free. (408) 997-6452, (650) 868-3135, (510) 875-9503. info@bagsofnoca.com.  www.bagsofnoca.com.

May 23 Saturday

Gujarat Day Gujarati Garba Competition and Culture Program with Gujarati Dairo by Praful Dave and group. Dinner served. Presented by Bay Area Gujarati Samaj. 7:30 p.m. Sunnyvale Temple and Community Center, 420 Persian Drive, Sunnyvale. $30, $50. (408) 997-6452, (650) 868-3135, (510) 875-9503. info@bagsofnoca.com.  www.bagsofnoca.com
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100th Student’s Arangetram by Gayatri Venkatesan, student of Mythili Kumar, artistic director of Abhinaya Dance Company, accompanied by Mythili and Malavika Kumar (nattuvangam), Asha Ramesh (vocal), N. Narayana (mridangan), and Shanthi Narayanan (violin). 5 p.m. CET Theater, 701 Vine St., San Jose. Free. (408) 871-5959. abhinaya_sj@yahoo.com.  www.abhinaya.org. (See story for details.)

Anand Bhate Concert- Hindustani, a Senior Disciple of Pt.Bhimsen Joshi at Sanatan Dharma Kendra, 897 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 (3pm-6pm)  Entrance Free. Donations appreciated. Pradjoshi@gmail.com. Ph# ( 408)733-7442

May 24 Sunday

Zankaar One Raaga Event with the theme "Raag Todi" 3pm-6pm A galaxy of singers and musicians participating to provide Classical - Carnatic as well as Hindustani, Instrumental- Flute, Ghazals and Semi Classicals, Devotional and Movie Songs- all based on Raag Todi.  Entrance Free.Pradjoshi@gmail.com.Ph#( 408)733-7442

Ali Akbar College of Music Library Benefit Concert. Alam Khan, son of maestro Ali Akbar Khan, on sarode accompanied by Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri (tabla). Morning and afternoon ragas, with food and drinks. Presented by Ali Akbar College of Music. 10:30 a.m. 215 West End Ave., San Rafael. $40, $25 general; $20 members; $15 seniors/children. (415) 454-6372. david@aacm.org.  www.aacm.org.

Visions of the Goddess, featuring a portrayal of the myriad powers of the mother goddess. Organized by Abhinaya Dance Company. 3 p.m. CET Theater, 701 Vine St., San Jose. $15 general; $10 students/seniors. (408) 871-5959. abhinaya_sj@yahoo.com.  www.abhinaya.org.

Classical Sitar, Percussion, and Vocal Concert by Smita Nagdev and New Directions in India Classical Music. She will be joined by New Directions, featuring the 2008 Miles from India energetic drumming talent Anatha R. Krishnan along with the ecstatic vocals of Sangati Center founder Gautam Tejas Ganeshan. Organized by the San Francisco International Arts Festival, the Sangati Center, and the Asian Art Museum. 7 p.m. Cowell Theater, Fort Mason, San Francisco. $20 advance; $25 at door. Tickets: (800) 838-3006. www.fortmason.org.  (See story for details.)

May 27 Wednesday

Power and Responsibility: A Call for the New President to Rethink U.S. Foreign Policy, talk by Stephen Stedman, professor of political science and senior fellow at Stanford University. Are our current international institutions effectively equipped to address today’s most pressing global security challenges, ranging from climate change and nuclear proliferation to civil strife and terrorism? A leading expert on civil wars and conflict management, Stedman was formerly the research director of the United Nations High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change from 2003-2004, and Assistant Secretary General and Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the United Nations, in 2005. 5:30 p.m. registration, 6 p.m. program. World Affairs Council Auditorium, 312 Sutter St., Second Floor, San Francisco. $15 general; $5 student; members free. 415.293.4600. info@wacsf.org.  www.itsyourworld.org.

May 30 Saturday

Genius Kids presents "WIN WITH WORDS 2009 PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION", a Public Speaking Competition to give children the experience to research and learn more about different topics/subjects whilst developing leadership and speaking skills which in turn fosters self-confidence and personal growth. 10 AM - 4 PM,  Sunnyvale Temple auditorium , 420 Persian drive, Sunnyvale,
Contact Rennu Dhillon at rennud@gmail.com or info@geniuskidsonline.com
510-713-2431 www.geniuskidsonline.com

May 31 Sunday
Xpressions Dance School- Cupertino Annual Showcase, Award winning dance school in Cupertino led by director SriVidhya Eashwar.  The event willshowcase fFolk dances, Bollywood and Contemporary dances. 3:30 p.m.CET Soto Center, Vine Street San Jose.
408 246 3005  http://www.xpressionsdancemusic.com/index.html

Ali Akbar College of Music Benefit Auction, to raise funds for the Ali Akbar Khan Library. Items to be auctioned: limited edition guitar signed by Carlos Santana, drum head signed by The Grateful Dead, tabla signed by Zakir Hussain, and guitar signed by Sammy Hagar. 1 a.m.-12 p.m. on http://eBay.com.

In Defense of the Sacred: The Necessity of Contemporary Sacred Art in Our World Today, talkby Siddhartha Shah, who studied history of art at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on the representation of gods and goddesses in art and mythology. Organized by Cultural Integration Fellowship. 11 a.m. 2650 Fulton St., San Francisco. Free will donation. (415) 668-1559. www.culturalintegrationfellowship.org.  culturalfellowship@sbcglobal.net.

Margazhi Raagam film screening. A concert film, the movie is the first to showcase Karnatic music, and features Bombay Jayashir and T.M. Krishna. 3 p.m. Indian Movie Center 6, 1433 The Alameda, San Jose. $12. (408) 718-5261. aruna.peri@gmail.com.  www.margazhiraagam.com.  (See story for details.)

Reflections, a Kala Vandana Dance Center 20th anniversary celebration with Sundara Swaminathan. 3 p.m. Mexican Heritage Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose. $20, $25. Tickets: (408) 238-8321. www.kalavanda.org.

Kavi Sammelan, a fundraiser for Sankara Eye Hospital and Uttar Pradesh. Featured will be poets Hasya and Veer Ras Kavis from India Shri Om Vyas, Shri Mahendra Ajanabi, and Shri Ved Vrat Bajpai. Organized by Uttar Pradesh Mandal Of America (UPMA) and Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF). 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Jain Temple, 722 S. Main St., Milpitas. (510) 713-2500, (408) 528-9570. $15. Tickets: www.upmaus.org;  www.giftofvision.org.

June 5 Friday

31st Annual Production of Ramayana, the longest running Western production of the Indian classic. Presented by Mount Madonna School. June 5-6, 7:30 p.m.; June 7, 2 p.m. MMS Theater, 491 Summit Road, Watsonville. (408) 847-2717.

June 6 Saturday

31st Annual San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. From the temples of India to the village squares of Mexico, the 31st Annual San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival is your first class ticket to an unforgettable journey around the world. San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts comes to vivid life in a swirl of sublime gesture, exuberant energy, and soul-stirring rhythms as 37 companies representing dance traditions from more than 20 cultures and featuring more than 500 ofNorthern California’s most acclaimed dancers and musicians take to the stage. Each of the four weekends features a different line-up of performers offering audiences an exhilarating introduction to dances from East and West. Saturdays, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays 2 p.m., June 6-7; 13-14; 20-21; 27-28. with a special gala on Saturday, June 13 at 6 p.m. $22-$44. Tickets: (415) 392-4400; www.cityboxoffice.com;  www.tickets.com.

Sitar Concert by Sugato Nag from the Imdadkhani Gharan. He will be accompanied by Abhijit Banerjee (tabla). Organized by Basant Bahar. 5:30 p.m. Jain Bhawan Auditorium, 722 S. Main St., Milpitas. $15, $20. (510) 651-6386. contact@basantbahar.org. www.basantbahar.org.

Fundraising Vegetarian Dinner celebrating the 58th anniversary of the Cultural Integration Fellowship. Michael Toms of New Dimensions Radio will host. All proceeds go to the CIF building fund for upgrades and improvements. 6:30 p.m. Cultural Integration Fellowship, 2650 Fulton St., San Francisco. $65. (415) 668-1559. culturalfellowship@sbcglobal.net.  www.culturalintegrationfellowship.org.

June 7 Sunday

An Emerging World: Its Future Horizons, talk by Suneet Verma, visiting scholar from India, with afternoon workshop. Verma is associate professor in psychology, University of Delhi, India. Organized by Cultural Integration Fellowship. 11 a.m. talk; 2-5 p.m. workshop. 2650 Fulton St., San Francisco. Workshop registration: (415) 668-1559. culturalfellowship@sbcglobal.net.  www.culturalintegrationfellowship.org.

Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi Performances by Ranjani Murthy, student of Sandhya Sree Athmakuri, artistic director of Natya Dharmi Foundation for Performing Arts; and Kamini Iyer and Sruthi Swami, students of Jayanthi Sridharan, artistic director of Bharathakala Kutiram. Organized by Yuva Bharati. 4-6:30 p.m. Mission City Center for Performing Arts, 3250 Monroe St., Santa Clara. Free (650) 565-8859. yuva_bharati@yahoo.com.  www.yuvabharati.org.