APRIL 2011
Khaas Baat : A Publication for Indian Americans in Florida

SIGNIFICANT DATES:

APRIL 4: START OF HINDU NEW YEAR
APRIL 12: RAMNAUMI
APRIL 14: BAISAKHI
APRIL 17: MAHAVIR JAYANTI
APRIL 18: HANUMAN JAYANTI

Events

TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER

APRIL 2: BAYSIDE BHANGRA; presented by First Desi Alliance, India Cultural Center and Punjabi Association of Florida; 5 p.m.; Straz Center, (formerly Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center), Ferguson Hall, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place; for information, call Kuleen Shah at (813) 486-4129, Vince (813) 516-4107, e-mail info@baysidebhangra.com or visit www.baysidebhangra.com

APRIL 8: “THE FACE OF A HINDU: THE PLIGHT OF THE INDIAN AND HINDU MINORITY IN MALAYSIA;” Waytha Moorthy, a human rights activist and lawyer from Malaysia, will discuss his experiences in fighting against religious persecution; sponsored by the Hindu American Foundation and supported by several organizations in the Tampa Bay area; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. dinner and presentation Q&A afterward till 9; for information, call Mekhala Sastry at (813) 495-7868 or visit www.hafsite.org

8-9: MIND-BODY-CONSCIOUSNESS: HOLISTIC WELLNESS TRADITIONS OF INDIA; presented by the USF Center for India Studies; Patel Center for Global Solutions, CGS 134-138, Tampa; free but registration by April 5 is required; to register send your name and contact information to yshah@usf.edu or call (941) 962-0699.

APRIL 9: PUNJABI MELA; presented by Punjabi Association of Florida; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 6:30 p.m. to midnight; Punjabi folk singer Sukhwinder Panchi with band, gidha, bhangra; seated family show includes dinner and drinks; tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at gate or $100 for VIP; for more information, call Amrit Brar at (813) 295-2121 or Surinder Dhaliwal at (727) 667-8369.

APRIL 9: HEALTH FAIR; organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay members; for more information, call Dr. Ashok Modh at (813) 935-3439 or visit www.gujaratisamaj.org

APRIL 9: BHAJAN SANDHYA: DEVOTION UNDER THE STARS; Chinmaya Prasad Ashram, 18708 Hanna Road, Tampa; 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; for more information, call Chinmaya Mission at (813) 749-7702, visit www.chinmayaprasad.org or e-mail hariom@chinmayaprasad.org

APRIL 9: UGADI CELEBRATIONS; organized by Srigandha Kannada Koota of Florida; Hindu Temple of Florida hall, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; 5:30 p.m.; $10 for Srigandha members, $15 for non-members, children ages 5 to 12 years of age are $5 and children below 5 years of age are free; cultural program includes tribute to Pandit Bhimsen Joshi by noted Hindustani vocalist who also is a Khaas Baat columnist Lavanya Dinesh; for information, call Prakash at (813) 961-4958 or e-mail srigandha@yahoo.com

APRIL 9-10: PRAN PRATISHTA CEREMONY; Ambaji Mandir, 10991 58th St., Pinellas Park; Sadguru Maharishi Omdev yogi and Pandit Indradev Mishraji will perform Pran Pratishta; those looking to volunteer for the event can e-mail ambajitemple@gmail.com; for more information, call (727) 388-6685 or visit www.ambajimandir.org

APRIL 10: GUDI PADWA; organized by the Maayboli Melawa Tampa Bay (Marathi Mandal); Hindu Temple of Florida, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; for information, call (424) 245-5619 or e-mail mmtb_ec_maayboli@yahoo.com

APRIL 15-17: SRI AYYAPPA BALALAYA PRATHISHTAPANA; organized by Sri Ayyappa Society of Tampa; at newly acquired property and site of the future SASTA temple, 6829 Maple Lane; sponsorships available; for information, call (352) 567-1524, (727) 712-1233, e-mail info@swamysharanam.org or visit www.swamysharanam.org

APRIL 16: PANDIT SANJEEV ABHYANKAR IN CONCERT; presented by Swaradhana; 6 to 9 p.m.; Carrollwood Cultural Center, 13345 Casey Road, Tampa; to reserve your tickets, e-mail Avinash Deshpande at Swaradhana1@yahoo.com; include your name and the number of tickets you want to reserve; early bird special is $20 per person (until April 13); then it is $30 (April 14-16); sponsorships of $100 or more (four tickets) are welcome.

APRIL 17: 14TH ANNUAL ISLAMIC CHARITY FESTIVAL; Riverfront Park, 1000 E. North St., Tampa; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; organized by the Tampa Bay Muslim Alliance; for more information, call Dr. Husain Nagamia at (813) 654-4466 or the Tampa Bay Muslim Alliance at (813) 661-6161.

APRIL 17: “ELDER ISSUES” WORKSHOP; organized by PEHCHAAN; psychologist Dr. Aarti Mathur will attend; 2 to 4 p.m.; venue to be determined; for details, call Manjusha Naik at (813) 842-8563, Vandana Shelkar At (813) 943-5288, or email pehchaantampabay@yahoo.com

APRIL 20: ICC SENIORS GET-TO-GATHER; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free seminar, lunch and entertainment; no minimum age requirement; for information or ride, call John Adhia at (813) 784-6930 or Ram Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172.

APRIL 24: MUSICAL CONCERT; presented by Swaralaya; Vidwan T. M. Krishna accompanied by Sriramkumar on violin and Arun Prakash on Mridangam; 4 p.m.; $20 members, $25 non-members and $5 students with ID; for information, call Sahasranaman at (727) 942-8150, Lata Kumar at (813) 679-7298, Viji Ramanathan at (813) 926-9701 or e-mail swaralaya@gmail.com

MAY 2: “KRISHAN VS. KANHAIYA;” Hindi play starring Paresh Rawal; Centro Asturiano, 1913 Nebraska Ave., Tampa; 7:45 p.m.; presented by Satya Shaw, CPA; tickets are $39, $49, VIP $69, VVIP $100 (with dinner); for information, call (813) 960-7429, (813) 908-1602 or e-mail Satyashawcpa@aol.com

MAY 14: MUSICAL CONCERT; presented by Swaralaya; Priya Sisters Shanmukapriya and Haripriya; 5 p.m.; College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa; $20 members, $25 non-members and $5 students with ID; for information, call Sahasranaman at (727) 942-8150, Lata Kumar at (813) 679-7298, Viji Ramanathan at (813) 926-9701 or e-mail swaralaya@gmail.com

ORLANDO/OAKLAND/OCOEE

APRIL 1: “LO GUJJUBHAI GHODE CHADIYA;” Gujarati play presented by Gujarati Society of Central Florida; Lyman High School, 865 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood; 6 p.m.; drama is only for society members; for information, call Nilkanth Kapadia at (407) 832-3835.

APRIL 3: HSCF NEW AGE (SENIORS) GROUP; HSCF Community Hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 1:30 to 5 p.m.; “Your Food and Diabetes,” by Dr. Rema AnejaGupta; RSVP to hscfnewagegroup@yahoo.com or call Madan Arora at (407) 971-9259, Dev Sharma at (407) 862-9920.

APRIL 8: RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN IN CONCERT; presented by Taj Blue Media and RK Video; Silver Spurs Arena, Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee; $35, $55, $75 and VIP tickets; for information, call (407) 456-3226 or 1-800-851-8514.

APRIL 10: TENNIS; presented by Indian American Chamber of Commerce; The Grand Cypress Racquet Club, 55 Grand Cypress Blvd., Orlando; 8 a.m. to noon; format will be doubles play and round-robin; play is open to all ages; $20 per player covers drinks and court fees; for more information, call Suresh Gupta at (407) 619-1500 or e-mail suresh@parksquarehomes.com

APRIL 17: GUDI PADWA; organized by the Orlando Marathi Mandal; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 4:30 p.m.; cultural program; free for members or $20 per adults; for information, call Namrata & Sabastian Mathews at (407) 767-2516 or Anita and Mangesh Kulkarni at (407) 838-3590.

APRIL 23: FESTIVAL OF INDIA; organized by the Hindu Society of Central Florida; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando; for more information or to book a stall, call the temple office at (407) 699-5277 or Srinivas Jaragula at (407) 267-7595. For information about performances, call Alka Shukla at (407) 221-3517 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org

APRIL 24: BUSINESS EXPO; sponsored by Indian American Chamber of Commerce (IACC); Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive, Orlando; noon to 5 p.m.; businesses are invited to showcase their services and display promotional material to members, guests and VIPs; free admission; for more information, call Tino Patel (407) 579-5050, email tinopatel@skytelecom.com or visit www.iaccorlando.com

MAY 1: “KRISHAN VS. KANHAIYA;” Hindi play starring Paresh Rawal; Lyman High School, 865 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood; 6 p.m.; $35, $55, $75, VIP tickets; for information, call Amit Belani at (407) 456-3226 or Vik patel at (407) 970-3701.

MAY 15: “AHIMSA;” fusion of contemporary and classical Indian dance; presented by The Center for Contemporary Dance and Asian Cultural Association; Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 203 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford; 2 p.m.; $10 for students and $15 general; VIP tickets with exclusive seating is $50; for information, call (407) 321-8111, (407) 333-3667 or visit www.wdpac.com

BARTOW

APRIL 17: THIRD ANNUAL PICNIC; presented by Charotar Patidar Samaj of Florida; Mary Holland Park, 2015 Shumate Drive, Bartow; from 10 a.m.; free event for all Patidars of Charotar; food, drinks; for more information, visit www.patelpower.net

DAYTONA BEACH

APRIL 2: BAISAKHI MELA; presented by Indian Cultural Society of Daytona; Schnebly Recreation Center, 1101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach; noon to 4 p.m.; vendors will offer food, clothing, jewelry; kids can enjoy train rides, moonwalk, pizza, cotton candy and snow cones; for more information, visit www.icsdaytona.com

MELBOURNE

MAY 8: MOTHER’S DAY; organized by the India Association of Space Coast; Kiwanis Park, Kiwanis Island Park Road, Merritt Island; 1 to 6 p.m.; for details, visit www.iascbrevard.com

FORT MYERS

APRIL 15: SAROD CONCERT; Hindu Temple of Southwest Florida, 12552 Plantation Road, Fort Myers; performer is Ken Zuckerman; 6:30 p.m.; for information, call (239) 482-0677, (239) 274-5584 or (239) 466-5236, e-mail hindutempleswfl@gmail.com or visit www.hindutempleswfl.com

MAY 15: VOCAL CONCERT; Priya Sisters Shanmukapriya and Haripriya; 5 p.m.; Hindu Temple of Southwest Florida, 12552 Plantation Road, Fort Myers; for information, call (239) 482-0677, (239) 274-5584 or (239) 466-5236, e-mail hindutempleswfl@gmail.com or visit www.hindutempleswfl.com

SOUTH FLORIDA

APRIL 2: “CHITRAM – A PORTRAIT OF INDIA;” multimedia musical theater production by composer and artistic director Kanniks Kannikeswaran; organized by Association of Performing Arts of India; 7 p.m.; Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar; tickets ranging from $18 to $65 can be purchased at www.MiramarCulturalCenter.org  or call (954) 602-4500, prompt one; for information on APAI, visit www.apaiart.com

APRIL 17-21: RAM NAVAMI/HANUMAN JAYANTI CELEBRATION; organized by Chinmaya Mission Bal Vihar; Swami Ishwarananda of Chinmaya Mission, Los Angeles, will address students and study groups on glory of Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti; Olympic Heights High School, Boca Raton; Swamiji will also hold a Workshop and Jnana Yajna from April 17-21; details to be finalized; for more information, visit www.cmmiami.org

APRIL 30: “KRISHAN VS. KANHAIYA;” Hindi play starring Paresh Rawal; Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs; 7:45 p.m.; presented by Satya Shaw, CPA; tickets are $39, $49, VIP $69, VVIP $100 (with dinner); for information, call (813) 960-7429, (813) 908-1602 or e-mail Satyashawcpa@aol.com

MAY 7: MADHYA-LAYA; performance by young percussionists; South Florida Hindu Temple auditorium, 13010 Griffin Road, Southwest Ranches; 6:30 to 9 p.m.; tickets are $20, $30; for information, visit www.sfht.org

MAY 8: SPRING BREAK PICNIC; organized by Indian Physicians of South Florida (IPOF); noon to 6 p.m.; Markham Park, Corporate Shelter, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise; activities include volleyball, biking, kite flying; free for all active IPOF members; to RSVP, call Dr. Asha Gupta at (954) 234-5674, Shahnaz Fatteh at (954) 682-2415, e-mail ipofus@yahoo.com or visit www.ipof.org

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