TAMPA/PINELLAS PARK
The Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay will celebrate Navratri from 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, and from 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, at USF Sun Dome, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. From Sept. 29-30, Navratri will begin at 8 p.m. at the same venue. The event is free to GSTB members and $20 per night for non-members; current students with ID are $15. There is a nominal parking fee. The Samaj and India Cultural Center will hold Kids Garba (for families with kids age 11 and younger) from 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at ICC, 5511 Lynn Road.
For information, call Manish Patel at (813) 270-9896 or Ravi Patel at (727) 692-6399. Also, GSTB will support Sharad Poornima Garba by well-known Gujarati folk singer Atul Purohit at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. Highway 301 N., Tampa. For information, visit www.gujaratisamaj.org
Sanatan Mandir at 311 E. Palm Ave., Tampa, will celebrate Navratri from Sept. 21-29 with Durga Puja katha maha aarti. Dussehra celebrations will be at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 30. For details, call the temple at (813) 221-4482, email [email protected] or visit www.sanatanmandirtampa.org
Ambaji Mandir at 10991 58th St., in Pinellas Park, will celebrate Navratri with daily garba at 7:15 p.m. from Sept. 21 onward. For more information, call the Mandir at (727) 388-6685 or visit www.ambajimandir.org
Sri Laxmi Narayan Mandir will hold Navratri celebrations daily from Sept. 21 with garba at 7:15 p.m. Sri Laxmi Narayan Mandir is at 4615 George Road, Tampa. For information, call the temple at (813) 444-9786.
SOIKOT (Bengali Association of Greater Tampa Bay) will hold Durga Puja from Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa. For details, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.soikot.org
Telangana Association of Florida, Tampa Bay, will hold Bathukamma (annual flower festival and Dussehra celebrations) from 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 23 at The Venetian Event Center (indoor hall), 9724 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa. Entry is $5 per adult; kids are free. For information, call Chandu Talla at (813) 476-9508.
BARTOW/LAKELAND/WINTER HAVEN
The Bhartiya Samaj of Central Florida will celebrate Navratri at 9 p.m. Sept. 22-23 and Oct. 6 at Bartow Civic Center, 2250 S. Floral Ave., Bartow. Samaj will also hold Navratri on Sept. 29-30 (venue not decided). Sharad Purnima Navratri will be from noon at Mary Holland Park, North Broadway Ave., Bartow. For more information, call Subhash S. Patel at (863) 648-0294, Vinoobhai Patel at (863) 293-0942 or visit www.bscfl.com
SARASOTA/BRADENTON
The Gujarati Association of Manasota will hold Navratri from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Sept. 22-23 and Sept. 29-30 at Ashton Middle School, 4826 Ashton Road, Sarasota. It is free for paid 2017 members; non-members are $15 per person. For information, call Bhumin Patel at (941) 773-4460 or visit www.gujaratiassociationofmanasota.com
ORLANDO/CASSELBERRY/LONGWOOD
The Gujarati Society of Central Florida will hold Navratri Garba from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sept. 21-23 and Sept. 28-30 at Lyman High School, 865 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood. It is free for members and $25 for non-members. For information, call (407) 757-7086 or visit www.gujaratisocietycfl.com
Indian Cultural Society of Orlando will hold Navratri Raas Garba Sept. 22-23 and Sept. 29-30 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Greenwood Lakes Middle School, 601 Lake Park Drive, Lake Mary. It is free for cultural society members. For information, call Vijay Joshi at (407) 701-2989 or visit www.icsocfl.com
Hindu Society of Central Florida (HSCF) temple will hold live music, raas and garba by Rawal Brothers daily (8 p.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays, 8 pm. to midnight weekends) from Sept. 21-29 in the community hall, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry. Single day pass is $15 per person and $100 for family for nine nights. Free snacks will be provided. Dussehra celebration will be from 5 p.m. on Oct. 7. For more information, call Mahendra Kapadia at (407) 595-9224 or visit www.hindutempleorlando.org
OCALA/BELLEVIEW
The India Association Cultural & Educational Center, 2030 N.E. 36th Ave., Ocala, will hold Navratri on Sept. 22-23 and Sept. 29-30. For details, e-mail [email protected]
FORT MYERS
Gujarati Samaj of Southwest Florida will hold Navratri from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Sept. 22-23 and Sept. 29-30 at Paul Lawrence Dunbar Middle School, 4750 Winkler Ave., Fort Myers. Member fees are $75 for all days and $15 per person per day. Non-members are $150 per family all days. For information, call (941) 222-1530.
SOUTH FLORIDA
FORT LAUDERDALE: The Indian Regional & Cultural Center (IRCC) will celebrate Navratri from 8 p.m. on Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 at Silver Trail Middle School, 18300 Sheridan St., Fort Lauderdale. For information, call Sunil Agarwal at (954) 295-3364 or visit www.irccflorida.com
PALM BEACH: Palm Beach India Association will celebrate Navratri/Garba Sept. 22-23 and Sept. 29-30. Vijaya Dashmi will be on Oct. 1. For time, venue and other details, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.gopbia.com
JACKSONVILLE
The Gujarati Samaj of North East Florida will celebrate Raas-Garba from 8 p.m. to midnight Sept. 22-23 and Sept. 29-30 at Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex, 3605 Phillips Highway. Daily tickets are $10. For more information, visit gsnef.org
MELBOURNE (SPACE COAST)
The Indian Association of the Space Coast will hold Navratri celebrations from 8 p.m. to midnight on Sept. 16, Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 at Viera High School, 6103 Stadium Parkway, Viera. For more information, call (321) 271-7072, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.iascbrevard.com
Also, Manav Mandir temple, 7400 Waelti Drive, Melbourne, will begin Navratri, Garba at 6 p.m. Sept. 21, and at 7 p.m. Sept. 22-29. Dussehra will be celebrated from 3 p.m. on Sept. 30. For information, call (321) 426-0688 or visit www.mmbrevard.org
It has been a solid 17 years since the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce held its first Banyan Ball in the hopes of being able to give back to the organization’s members and supporters. The ball’s theme is a metaphoric representation of the conversations, unity and camaraderie that is built when gathered under a banyan tree.
One of the tenets of the Banyan Ball is the facilitation of a unique opportunity to network with business and community leaders. Today, the event has turned into an elegant black-tie affair, honoring Asian-American businesses and individuals who have distinguished themselves through professionalism and community service.
The regal-themed Banyan Ball will be held from 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, at the Bryan Glazer Family Jewish Community Center, 522 N. Howard Ave., Tampa. The program will include a cocktail reception, keynote speech, presentation of business awards, dinner and entertainment. Emcee will be Sorboni Banerjee of Fox 13.
The annual event is sold out every year. Tickets are $250 per person and $2,000 for a table of 10, and can be purchased at www.indo-us.org For more information, call (813) 841-9216 or (813) 451-8229.
