significant dates
FEB. 17: MAHA SHIVRATRI
EVENTS
TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER
FEB. 5: ‘MY STORY EVENT’; presented by TiE Tampa Bay; features serial entrepreneur Bud Stoddard; 6 to 8 p.m. p.m.; Westin Tampa Bay, 7627 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa; for more information, visit https://tampa.tie.org
FEB. 5-9: Art of Living Happiness Program; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekend; The Spa at Post Rocky Point, 7240 Barque Drive, Tampa; for information, call Sasidhara (201) 683-1777 or Amit Tyagi at (813) 300-0364.
FEB. 7: BOLLYWOOD NIGHTS PATRON CRICKET PARTY; noon to 4 p.m.; Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, E. Zack St., Tampa; English pub food and high tea will be served; $500 per couple including kids; no prior cricket experience necessary; for tickets, visit www.childrenacrossborders.org, call (813) 843-6777 or email [email protected]
FEB. 14: VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY; hosted by India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road; 7 p.m.; $50 per adult until Feb. 11 and then $60; adults only; free for trustees; RSVP required by Feb. 11; e-mail [email protected] or call Upen (mama) at (813) 210-5209 or Ashok Modh at (813) 935-3439.
FEB. 14 AND FEB. 16: KATHAK DANCE WORKSHOP AND LESSONS; by Sayali Goswami of California; presented by Shruti AIM and Srishti Dance Academy; all ages and levels welcome; one-hour group lessons are $30; to register, call (813) 549-9288 or email [email protected]
FEB. 17: MAHA SHIVRATRI; Sanatan Mandir, 311 E. Palm Ave.; Tampa; for information, call (813) 221-4482 or visit www.ourmandir.org for more information.
FEB. 17: MAHA SHIVRATRI; Ambaji Mandir, 10991 58th St., in Pinellas Park; temple open from 6 a.m. to midnight; for information, call the mandir at (727) 388-6685 or visit www.ambajimandir.org
FEB. 17: MAHA SHIVARATRI; Shree Raam Mandir, 7411 E. Comanche Ave., Tampa; from 8 p.m.; Shiva Abhishekam performed by resident priest Pandit Premnath Ramsawak; for information, call Nick at (813) 334-0443 or Angela at (813) 265-3268.
FEB. 18: BUSINESS & NETWORKING EVENT; organized by INDO-US Chamber of Commerce; speaker is Matt DiMaio of The Maestro Method; free; 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; HCI Ballroom, 5300 W. Cypress St., Tampa; no RSVP required; for information, visit www.indo-us.org
FEB. 18: 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) 784-1132 or Ram Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172.
FEB. 21: BOLLYWOOD NIGHTS; Bollywood-themed party to support Children Across Borders; entertainment, Indian food by a celebrity chef, fusion DJ dance music; 7 p.m.; Tampa Museum of Art, 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa; $350 per person or $700 couple; for tickets, visit www.childrenacrossborders.org or email [email protected]
FEB. 22: BAPPI LAHIRI LIVE IN CONCERT; presented by Parimal Butala; 5 p.m.; Chamberlain High School, 9401 N. Boulevard, Tampa; tickets start at $35; for tickets and other information, call Parimal Butala at (813) 892-8197 or email [email protected]
FEB. 28: EKAL FUNDRAISER; Raja Chatterjee Group to perform; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road; dinner will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by musical program; for information, call Dr. Umesh Choudhry at (727) 507-0584. For tickets, visit www.ekal.org
MARCH 1: RAJASTHANI HOLI PICNIC; for time, venue and other details, call Rashmi Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172.
MARCH 1: “Zindagi Ek Safar Hey Suhana;” Gujarati social play starring Ragini Shah and Deepak Gheewala among others; 5 p.m.; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; free to GSTB members; non-members $15 or seniors $10; for information, call Jigisha Desai at (813) 731-7747 or Sudhir Shah at (727) 686-7424.
MARCH 8: HOLI; organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N., Tampa (MLK Boulevard entrance); natural colors available for purchase; free to GSTB members, non-member $15, seniors $10; fee includes snacks and lunch; nominal parking fees; for information, call Jigisha Desai at (813) 731-7747 or Sudhir Shah at (727) 686-7424.
MARCH 8: MUSICAL CONCERT; sitar maestro Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan; presented by Shruti AIM and India Cultural Center at ICC, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 6 to 9 p.m.; for tickets, call (813) 549-9288, visit www.shrutiaim.com or email [email protected]
MARCH 13: VASANT UTSAV; presented by Academy of Odissi Dance; evening of classical and Bollywood dances; Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa; 6:30 p.m.; $15; $5 for children under 5 years of age; for information, call Gopa Rautray at (813) 992-5234 or Koruna Pathak at (727) 742-1412.
MARCH 22: MYSHADI BRIDAL EXPO; noon to 5 p.m.; Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, 700 S. Florida Ave., Tampa; presented by Desh-Videsh Media Group; free admission, parking, food sampling; to register, visit www.myshadibridalexpo.com; for information, call (954) 784-8100 or email [email protected]
APRIL 18-24: “LECTURE ON GITA;” talks in English by Swami Mukundanandaji; Laxmi Narayan Mandir, 4615 George Road, Tampa; 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on weekends and 6 to 9 p.m. during weekdays; daily program consists of yoga, meditation and lecture followed by dinner prasad; for free registration and information, call Sushma Srivastava at (727) 490-2298 or (727) 743-1183.
BARTOW/LAKELAND
FEB. 22: EKAL FUNDRAISER; Raja Chatterjee Group to perform; 5:30 p.m.; Shree Swaminarayan Temple hall, 2793 New Tampa Highway; entry and dinner are free with donation; for details, call Nilesh K. Patel at (863) 853-9315, Hansmukh M. Patel at (863) 965-1453 or visit www.ekal.org
MARCH 4: HOLI; organized by the Bhartiya Samaj of Central Florida; Mary Holland Park, North Broadway Ave., Bartow; 7 p.m. onward; $25; for information, call Vinoobhai Patel at (863) 293-0942 or visit www.bscfl.com
OCALA
FEB. 20: EKAL FUNDRAISER; Raja Chatterjee Group to perform; 7:30 p.m.; India Association Cultural & Educational Center, 2030 N.E. 36th Ave.; free admission; for details, call Dipak Patel at (352) 266-2011, Dr. Nand Kishore Karve at (352) 237-3084 or e-mail [email protected]; also, visit www.ekal.org
ORLANDO/CASSELBERRY
FEB. 7: MUSICAL GALA NIGHT BY KEERTHANA; Indian American Youth Orchestra; 4:30 p.m.; Hindu Society of Central Florida community hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; $20 per family; for information, call Dr. Guru Prasad at (321) 277-3724 Ramki at (407) 619-8635, email [email protected] or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org/
FEB. 17: MAHASHIVRATRI; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; celebrations from 8 a.m.; for information, call Mahesh Kapadia at (407) 902-8634 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
FEB. 17: MAHA SHIV RATRI; open 8:30 a.m. to midnight; Shiv bhajans from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. followed by aarti and mahaprasad; Shiv Abhishekam from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. and aarti at midnight; Maa Durga Sri Sai Baba Temple, 11414 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando; for information, call (407) 574-8044.
FEB. 21: EKAL FUNDRAISER; Raja Chatterjee Group to perform; West Orange High School, 1625 Beulah Road, Winter Garden; dinner will be from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. followed by concert; entry and dinner are free; for information, call Suresh Gupta at (407) 352-2889 or Madhu Bansal at (214) 675-7994 or visit www.ekal.org
FEB. 24: SUNDERKAND PATH; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Maa Durga Sri Sai Baba Temple, 11414 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando; for information, call (407) 574-8044.
FEB. 28: BAPPI LAHIRI LIVE IN CONCERT; presented by Parimal Butala; 6 p.m.; Oakridge High School, 700 W. Oak Ridge Road, Orlando; tickets start at $35; for tickets and other information, call Nidhi Gupta at (407) 852-3192 or Dipti Smart at (321) 695-4422.
MARCH 1: INDIAN DANCE FESTIVAL; presented by Asian Cultural Association (ACA); Dr. Phillips Center of Performing Arts, 445 South Magnolia Ave., Orlando; 3 p.m.; tickets start at $25; for information, call ACA at (407) 333-3667.
PUNTA GORDA (CHARLOTTE COUNTY)
FEB. 15: SHOWCASE INDIA 2015; organized by the Indian American Cultural Center; Charlotte Harbor Event Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $10 per person; $5 for children ages 6-12; for information, call (941) 613-2222, email [email protected] or visit www.indian-american-cultural-center.org
GAINESVILLE
MARCH 28: INDIA FEST & HEALTH FAIR 2015; presented by the India Cultural & Education Center; health fair will be 9 a.m. to noon and the festival will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Santa Fe Community College, Gymnasium (Building V), 3000 N.W. 83rd St., Gainesville; Indian food, dance, art, music, jewelry, clothing, henna; for information, call (352) 275-2276, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.icec-florida.org
MELBOURNE
MARCH 7-8: INDIAFEST 2015; presented by Manav Mandir; Wickham Pavilion, 3845 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; cultural shows, fashion shows, music, henna, arts and crafts, yoga demonstration, Indian cooking demo; $5 for adults, $2 for children under age 12 and kids under 5 are free; for more information, call Nina Gadodia at (321) 779-0110, Yasmin Majeed at (321) 720-8590, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.indiafestbrevard.org
JACKSONVILLE
FEB. 15: INDIA REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATONS; organized by Indian Cultural Society; Robinson Theater, University of North Florida; for details, email [email protected] or visit www.jaxics.org/
FEB. 27: EKAL FUNDRAISER; Raja Chatterjee Group to perform; Bolles High School Auditorium, 7400 San Jose Blvd.; dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. with concert from 7; for information, call Dilip Kothekar at (904) 537-6472 or Ravi Sanka at (904) 607-9175; for tickets, visit www.ekal.org
TALLAHASSEE
MARCH 1: EKAL FUNDRAISER; Raja Chatterjee Group to perform; 4:30 p.m.; Lee Hall Auditorium, 1601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; for information, email [email protected] or vicepresident.iatlh@gmail.com or visit www.ekal.org
SOUTH FLORIDA (FORT LAUDERDALE/MIAMI/WEST PALM BEACH/PLANTATION)
FEB. 21: AIA (THE ASSOCIATION OF INDIANS IN AMERICA) ANNUAL BANQUET GALA; The Renaissance Hotel, 1230 S. Pine Island Road, Plantation; 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. cocktails followed by entertainment, dinner and dance; $150 per couple; for tickets and other information, call Naresh Bhasin at (305) 815-8423 or Felix Campos at (954) 461-6632.
FEB. 21: 12th ANNUAL INDIAFEST; organized by Palm Beach India Association; free; starts at 11 a.m.; musical, dance and cultural performances; food, clothing, and craft vendors; and art exhibits; Meyer Amphitheater, 105 Evernia St., West Palm Beach; for details, visit www.sfindiafest.com or e-mail [email protected]
FEB. 28: MIAMI MAYHEM VIII; intercollegiate garba/raas competition; hosted by University of Miami Indian Students Association; to benefit Sunil’s Home Charity; Julius Littman Performing Arts Theater, 17011 N.E. 19th Ave., North Miami Beach; 6 p.m.; for information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.miami-mayhem.com
MARCH 1: KRIYA YOGA PROGRAM; presented by Swami Shree Yogi Satyam; free; South Florida Hindu Temple, 13010 Griffin Road, Southwest Ranches; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; for information, call the mandir at (954) 252-8802.
MARCH 7: MUSICAL CONCERT; sitar maestro Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan and Gourisankar Karmakar on tabla; presented by Association of Performing Arts of India (APAI); 5 to 8 p.m.; Broward County Main Library Auditorium, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; $40 VIP and $30 general; for information, call (954) 885-1466, email [email protected] or visit www.apaiart.com
MARCH 8: HOLI PICNIC; organized by Indian Religious and Cultural Center (IRCC); C.B. Smith Park-Shelter No. 19, 900 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; for pricing information, call (954) 543-1539, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.irccflorida.com
MARCH 14-15: ASIAN TRADE, FOOD FAIR AND CULTURAL SHOW; presented by Bangladesh Association of Florida; performers are Runa Laila and Abhijeet Sawant; noon to 10 p.m.; South Florida Fairgrounds (Expo Center), 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach; $10 per person; for information, call (754) 246-2801 or visit www.asianfair.org
APRIL 17: Meditation: Awaken Your Inner Power; free lecture on Kriya Yoga teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda presented by a monk of the Self-Realization Order; 7:30 p.m.; Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale; for information, call (954) 729-2046 or visit www.flmg-srf.org or email [email protected]
Event submissions are free, e-mail information to [email protected] by the 20th.
Disclaimer: Please check with local organizers, event details are subject to change.
