SIGNIFICANT DATE
MAY 16: RAMADAN BEGINS
EVENTS
TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER
MAY 2: “Desi Club;” organized by India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa: 1 to 4 p.m.; table tennis, carom, card games, chess, etc.; no membership, no minimum age requirement; free; for information, call Ram Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172.
MAY 5: GUDHI PADWA; organized by Maayboli Melawa Tampa Bay (MMTB); “Ras Barase” music concert; noon to 6 p.m.; HCC Brandon, 10414 E. Columbus Drive, Tampa; for information, call Ram Padte at (813) 770-4854.
MAY 5: CARNATIC VOCAL CONCERT; organized by Swaralaya; Maharajapuram Sri Ramachandran; 5 p.m.; Hindu Temple of Florida hall, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; for information, email [email protected]
MAY 5, 19, AND JUNE 2: VISHNU SAHASRANAMAM; organized by Sanatana Dharma Pratishtana and presented by Dr. K. Ramakrishna; 2 to 4 p.m.; Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, Maureen Gauzza Community Room, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa; for information, call Rukmini Potdar at (518) 588-0214.
MAY 5: FESTIVAL OF CHARIOTS; Pier 60, 7 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach; 2:30 to 7 p.m.; free; live music, drama, dance, mantra meditation; for information, visit www.festivalofchariots.org
MAY 6: “AMITABH AUR MAIN;” Sudesh Bhosle and Sadhana Sargam in concert; 7 p.m.; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; tickets start at $39; presented by Alpesh Patel; for information, call 1-888-854-1928.
MAY 13: MOTHER’S DAY; organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; Fort DeSoto Park/Beach (shelters 13-15), 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free for GSTB members; $20 non-members and $15 for students under 17; appetizer followed by lunch; for information, call Manish Patel at (813) 270-9896 or Arvind Patel at (813) 784-7701.
MAY 16: ICC SENIORS GET-TOGETHER; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free seminar, lunch and entertainment; no age restriction; for information, call Ram Jakhotia at (813) 962-4172 or (813) 863-3048.
MAY 19: 20th ANNUAL COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR; Hindu Temple of Florida community hall, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; health screenings and discussions; for information, call (813) 962-6890 or visit http://htfl.org/
MAY 19: STRINGS & BEATS; jugalbandi between Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya on santoor and Hindole Majumdar on tabla; presented by Soikot; 7 p.m.; Sickles High School, 7950 Gunn Highway, Tampa; $30 advance tickets, $35 at door; for details, call Jyoti at (727) 643-3691.
MAY 20: THE COMEDY FACTORY SHOW; Gujarati standup comedy by Chirayu Mistry, Manan Desai, Ojas Rawal; 8 p.m.; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; for information, call Nishat Pathak at (203) 919-0444.
MAY 22-28: Maha Kumbhabhishekam (consecration) CEREMONIES; Sri Ayyappa temple of Tampa, 6829 Maple Lane; Prana prathishtapana on May 27 from 5.45 a.m. to 7.45 a.m.; for information, call Vijay Narayanasamy at (813) 220-1999, Rama Kamisetty at (813) 842- 8141, email [email protected] or visit www.tampaayyappatemple.org
MAY 24: SPEAKER SERIES; presented by TiE Tampa Bay; 6:30 p.m.; USF Connect, 3802 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa; Raxit Shah, Charter Member, TiE Tampa Bay, and Executive Chairman of Liberty Group Hotels will speak; free for TiE members, $10 non-members; to register, visit https://bit.ly/2HcTvoE
MAY 26: hindu sangathan divas; co-sponsored by Tampa chapter of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and India Cultural Center; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; presentations, panel discussions, entertainment; to register for the event, which is free, and includes breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, visit https://hud2018.eventbrite.com
JUNE 2-8: Swami Mukundananda Talk, Yoga and Meditation; Hindu Temple of Florida, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; discourse on “7 Divine Laws for Happiness & Fulfillment;” free talks are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday. Prasadam will be served after the discourses; registration is requested at www.jkyog.org/events/; for information, call Bill at (727) 432-1020 or Sushma at (727) 743-1183.
JUNE 2: MAHARAJA OF PURI VISIT; Shri Dibyasingha Deb will facilitate upcoming installation of Lord Jagannath; newly constructed Sanatan Mandir, 311 E. Palm Ave., Tampa; 5 to 7 p.m.; for information, call the temple at (813) 221-4482.
JUNE 24: INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; $5 registration includes lunch; meditation, asana, pranayama, Ashtanga yoga, Amanaska yoga, and Yoga Nidra; for information, call Jaimin Amin at (813) 283-8125.
ORLANDO/CASSELBERRY/OAKLAND/LAKE MARY
MAY 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: AAPI YOGA THERAPY; free; Hindu Society of Central Florida community hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; for information, call (407) 699-5277 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
MAY 5, 12, 19, 26: HEARTFULNESS MEDITATION CLASSES; free; Hindu Society of Central Florida community hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 9 to 10 a.m.; for information, call (407) 699-5277 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
MAY 5: ANNAMACHARYA SANKEERTOTSAVAM; organized by Telugu Association of Greater Orlando and Hindu Society of Central Florida; daylong tribute to the saint composer Sri Annamacharya; free; mandir auditorium, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; for information, call (407) 276-5407 or (407) 699-5277.
MAY 6: “Ras Barase” Music Concert; organized by Orlando Marathi Mandal; 3:30 p.m.; Seminole State College Auditorium (Concert Hall G 118), 100 Weldon Blvd., Lake Mary; $15, $25; for information, call Kalpana Kirtane at (407) 310-5747.
MAY 8-18: SANGEETMAY SHRIMAD BHAGWAT KATHA; by Shri Swami Nalinanand Giri Ji Maharaj; Shree Jalaram Mandir, 600 Hull Island Drive, Oakland; 6:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. daily followed by mahaprasad; for information, call Bhanuben Chavda at (407) 252-8045.
MAY 10: BUSINESS AFTER HOURS; organized by Indian American Business Association (IABA); 6 to 10 p.m.; M Lounge, 2000 N. Orange Ave., Suite 300, Orlando; RSVP at [email protected] or text (321) 765-9006.
MAY 13: 3rd ANNIVERSARY OF MUSIC PROGRAM; Music of India; Mother’s Day songs and a theme of “three;” melodies from classic and recent Hindi movies and insightful commentary fill the air every Sunday 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; host Naval Modani broadcasts the live streamed music program from Orlando’s Rollins College radio station; listen online at www.wprk.org/listenlive/; email [email protected] for requests.
MAY 19: NATURALIZATION DRIVE; organized by South Asian Bar Association of Florida; noon to 3 p.m.; Hindu Society of Central Florida at 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; free; immigration attorneys and trained volunteers will provide assistance in completing citizenship applications; bring documents; for information, call Madhurima Paturi at (772) 480-6883 or email [email protected]
MAY 26: CHITRA SHALABHANGAL; K.S. Chitra and Sharreth concert; presented by Srishti Foundation and Orlando Hindu Malayalee; 6:30 p.m.; Lake Nona High School, 12500 Narcocoossee Road, Orlando; tickets start at $30; for information, call (407) 718-8733.
MAY 27: “JAI SHRI KRISHNA;” presented by Shri Shreenathji Entertainment and Vaishnav Parivar; 35 artists from India present live dance, music, singing; 7 p.m.; Olympia High School, 4301 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando; tickets start at $35; for information, call Jignesh Patel at (407) 468-0716.
JUNE 17: “THE HEARTFULNESS WAY TO JOY & WELLNESS CONFERENCE;” presented by Heartfulness Institute; meditate with Joshua Pollock, followed by yoga, health and wellness sessions; 1 to 5 p.m.; UCF Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom, 12715 Pegasus Drive, Orlando; register at hfnorlando.eventbrite.com
JUNE 30: SHREYA GHOSHAL CONCERT; presented by Krish Patel and Satya Shaw; CFE Arena, 12777 Gemini Blvd. N., Orlando; 8 p.m.; tickets start at $39; for information, call Krish Patel at (407) 454-3334 or Sonal Patel at (407) 712-3223.
TALLAHASSEE
ONGOING THROUGH MAY 12: “TEXTURE IN COLORS;” opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. for artist Brinda Pamulapati whose work is on display at Venvi Art Gallery, 2901 E. Park Ave., #2800, Tallahassee; for information, call (850) 322-0965.
SOUTH FLORIDA (PEMBROKE PINES/WESTON/PLANTATION/SUNRISE/DAVIE)
MAY 5: NAVAKERALA NATIONAL SPELLING BEE 2018; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Marthoma Church Ball, 4740 S.W. 82nd Ave., Davie; for information, call Dr. Bobby Varghese at (305) 915-4270 or email [email protected]
MAY 6: SPRING FESTIVAL OF COLORS; organized by The Association of Indians in America; 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Markham Park, 16001 W. State Road 84, Sunrise; live DJ, bounce house, food vendors; park admission is $1.5 per person; for information, call (954) 445-5503.
MAY 12: SOUTH ASIAN FESTIVAL; Pembroke Pines City Center, 601 S.W. City Center Way, Pembroke Pines; 3 to 11 p.m.; food, clothing, arts and crafts, kids corner, entertainment; $10 per person; free parking; for information, call Atiquer Rahman at (954) 818-2970 or Faruque Sarkar at (954) 993-0969.
MAY 16-20: MEDITATION RETREAT; revered master Anandmurti Gurumaa; talks, sessions, meditation, yoga, sankirtan, pranayama; Bonaventure Resort & Spa, 250 Racquet Club Road, Weston; registration required at www.gurumaa.com or call Jayam at (727) 709-2364.
JUNE 2: VAISAKHI; presented by Greater Punjab Cultural Society of South Florida; choreographers/participants invited; Plantation High School, 6901 N.W. 16th St., Plantation; for details, call Baljit Mann at (954) 856-3421 or email [email protected]
Event submissions are free, e-mail information to [email protected] by the 20th.
Disclaimer: Event details are subject to change. Please check with local organizers.