SIGNIFICANT DATEs
MARCH 1: HOLI
MARCH 18: GUDI PADWA/UGADI/CHETI CHAND (HINDU NEW YEAR)
MARCH 21: NAVROZE (PARSI NEW YEAR)
MARCH 25: RAMANAVAMI
MARCH 29: MAHAVIR JAYANTI
MARCH 31: HANUMAN JAYANTI
EVENTS
TAMPA/ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER
MARCH 2: “FINDING INNER PEACE THROUGH MEDITATION;” free talk on teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda by brother Nakulananda, a longtime Self-Realization Fellowship monk as part of weekend event; 8 p.m.; Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore Airport, 700 N. Westshore Blvd.; for information, call (813) 505-3601, email [email protected] or visit www.srftampabay.org
MARCH 3: HOLI FESTIVAL; organized by Telangana Association of Florida; The Venetian Event Center, 9724 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $5 adult, kids free; dance performance, DJ music, food; for information, call Chandu Talla at (813) 476-9508.
MARCH 4: HOLI; organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301, Tampa; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; free for GSTB members, $20 non-members; for information, call Keval at (813) 494-2700 or Manish Patel at (813) 270-9896.
MARCH 7: “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.
MARCH 16: “MADHOSH – MUSIC FROM THE HEART;” Pankaj Udhas concert; India Cultural Center, 5511 Lynn Road, Tampa; 6 to 7:30 p.m. dinner followed by show at 8; organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; $10 for samaj members, $35 for non-members, $100 VIP; for information, call Keval at (813) 494-2700 or Manish Patel at (813) 270-9896.
MARCH 17: RANGPANCHAMI (HOLI); organized by Maayboli Melawa Tampa Bay (MMTB); 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Lettuce Lake Park (shelter 2 and 3), 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa; for details, visit www.mmtbusa.org
MARCH 21: 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.
MARCH 24: Carnatic Jugalbandhi; organized by Swaralaya; performers are Sri Raman on flute and Sri Sumanth Swaminathan on saxophone; 5 p.m.; Hindu Temple of Florida hall, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; for information, email [email protected]
MARCH 24: STILL MORE SPICES OF LIFE: 2018 PROJECT STARFISH FUNDRAISER; 6 to 10 p.m.; Chester H. Ferguson Law Center, 1610 N. Tampa St., Tampa; $25 adults, $10 children; fundraiser features Indian food, cash bar, Bollywood dancing, silent auction, etc.; Project Starfish provides medical care to the underserved in southern India; for information, visit https://projectstarfishindia.org/2018-fundraiser
MARCH 25: MUSIC CONCERT/BAND; presented by Shruti Foundation; Kanjira maestro Selva Ganesh will be joined by Rajib Karmakar on sitar and Shankh Lahiri on tabla for a classical performance followed by WAHH World Fusion Band; 5 to 7 p.m.; Hindu Temple of Florida, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; for information, call (813) 549-9288 or visit www.theshrutifoundation.org
MARCH 31: TIECON FLORIDA 2018 – FOSTERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP; organized by TiE Tampa Bay; USF Sam and Martha Gibbons Alumni Center, 11810, USF Alumni Drive, Tampa; several keynote speakers and networking on agenda; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. with entertainment; register at www.tieconfl.com
MARCH 31: INDIA DANCE CARNIVAL; organized by Telugu Association of Florida, Tampa Bay, to celebrate Telugu New Year; Florida State Fairgrounds, Expo Hall, 4800 U.S. 301, Tampa; for tickets and other information, call Bhanu Prakash Dhulipalia at (813) 362-4925.
APRIL 7: VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT; organized by Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay; Lettuce Lake Park, 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; for information, call Sanjay at (727) 204-9382 or Manish at (813) 270-9896.
APRIL 14: “VASANT UTSAV;” recital presented by Academy of Odissi Dance; classical (Odissi), bhangra and Bollywood dances; Gaither High School, 16200 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa; 6:30 p.m.; for information, call Gopa Rautray at (813) 907-0772 or Koruna Pathak at (727) 742-1412.
APRIL 21: 5th FUNDRAISING DINNER GALA; presented by PEHCHAAN (Providing Educational, Humanistic and Cultural Hope for the South Asian American Network); Hillsborough Community College, Brandon Campus, 10414 E. Columbus Drive, Tampa; 6 p.m.; for donations and more information, visit www.pehchaantampabay.org or call PEHCHAAN at (813) 720-7115.
APRIL 22: CARNATIC VOCAL CONCERT; organized by Swaralaya; Sri Ramakrishnamurthy; 5 p.m.; Hindu Temple of Florida hall, 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; for information, email [email protected]
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]
BARTOW/LAKELAND
APRIL 8: SUMMER PICNIC; event organized by Charotar Patidar Samaj for all Patidar Patels; no fees, food, drinks provided; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Mary Holland Park, 2015 Shumate Drive, Bartow; for information, call Kamal Patel at (863) 670-1045 OR Jay Patel at (407) 460-2020.
ORLANDO/CASSELBERRY/LONGWOOD
MARCH 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: 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
MARCH 4: ANNIVERSARY PARTY; organized by HSCF (Hindu Society of Central Florida) New Age Group; noon; Gateway to India, 790 E. State Road 434, Longwood; appetizers, main courses, soft drinks included in $7 per person plus gratuity for members; non-members pay $15 plus gratuity; RSVP at [email protected]
MARCH 7, 14, 21, 28: 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
MARCH 11: “SUR AUR TAAL;” presented by Asian Cultural Association; Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 6500 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando; 2 p.m.; $25 per person; for information, call (407) 333-3667 or visit www.aca-florida.org
MARCH 14: Smart and Sustainable Cities Collaborative – Roundtable; Indian American Chamber of Commerce Orlando (IACC), City of Orlando and Rollins College will discuss with local officials, Indian delegates, and corporate leaders the future of public and private partnerships related to Orlando’s and India’s Smart Cities Initiatives; Rollins College/ Bush Auditorium, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park; 5:30 to 8 p.m.; free for IACC members; $10 non-members; register at http://iaccorlando.com/event-2735578
MARCH 17: “MADHOSH – MUSIC FROM THE HEART;” Pankaj Udhas concert; Lyman High School, 865 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood; 7:30 p.m.; tickets start at $30; for information, call Krish Patel at (407) 454-3334; purchase tickets at www.bollywoodeventsfl.com
MARCH 31: MIKA SINGH CONCERT; presented by Krish Patel and Satya Shaw; Orange County Convention Center, Linda Chaplin Theater, 9800 International Drive, Orlando; 8 p.m.; tickets start at $39; for information, call Krish Patel at (407) 454-3334; purchase tickets at www.bollywoodeventsfl.com
MARCH 31-APRIL 1: FOURTH SUVARNA D. SHAH GUJARATI POETRY FESTIVAL; presented by The Gujarat Region Center Program/Center for the study of Hindu Traditions at UF; recitation by poet laureates from India and the U.S., and music and garba; Rosen Jewish Community Center, 11184 S. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando; for information, call Dr. Dinesh O. Shah at (352) 871-4993.
APRIL 15: MYSHADI BRIDAL EXPO; presented by Desh-Videsh Media Group; Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Parkway; noon to 5 p.m.; free admission, parking; several booths to showcase latest trends and products for weddings; for information, call (954) 784-8100.
APRIL 26-29: JEERNODHARANA KUMBHABHISHEKA MAHOTHSAVAM; Hindu Society of Central Florida, 1994 Lake Drive, Casselberry; to sponsor, call HSCF President Dr. Srinivas Seela at (407) 276-5407, Kumbhabshikam Committee Chairman Dr. Aravind Pillai at (407) 718-8733 or visit www.orlandohindutemple.org
GAINESVILLE
APRIL 7: INDIA FEST & HEALTH FAIR; 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 6 p.m.; Santa Fe Community College, Gymnasium (Building V), 3000 N.W. 83rd St., Gainesville; $5 admission and children 5 years of age and younger free; Indian food, dance, art, music, jewelry, clothing, henna; for information, email [email protected] or visit www.icec-florida.org/
FORT MYERS/ESTERO
APRIL 7: 31st ANNUAL INDIA FEST; organized by India Association of Fort Myers; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Estero Community Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero; $5; free parking; Indian food, clothing, jewelry, entertainment, Bollywood fashion show; for information, call Denny Sharma at (239) 770-7427 or visit www.iafortmyers.org
NAPLES
MARCH 24: INDIA FEST; organized by India Association of Naples; tentative date; timing and venue to be decided; for details, email [email protected]
MELBOURNE/COCOA (SPACE COAST)
MARCH 10-11: INDIAFEST; presented by Manav Mandir; at a new venue this year; Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; cultural and 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 information, call Yasmin Majeed at (321) 720-8590 or visit www.indiafestbrevard.org
SOUTH FLORIDA (PEMBROKE PINES/PALM BEACH GARDENS/FORT LAUDERDALE)
MARCH 4: HOLI CELEBRATION; 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.; $15 for IRCC members, $20 non-members; for information, call (954) 543-1539 or email [email protected]
MARCH 10: DANCING FOR GOD; presented by Association of Performing Arts of India on eve of its 20th anniversary; Broward County Main Library Auditorium, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 3 to 5:30 p.m.; $25 general admission, $35 VIP, $15 students with current ID; purchase tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dancing-for-god-tickets-41948217247
MARCH 11: HOLI PICNIC; organized by Palm Beach India Association; $10 members, $15 non-members; Amara Shrine Fields, 3650 RCA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; for information, visit www.gopbia.org
MARCH 17-18: 25th ASIAN TRADE, FOOD FAIR AND CULTURAL SHOW; presented by Bangladesh Association of Florida; South Florida Fairgrounds (Expo Center), 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach; noon to 10 p.m. both days; for information, call (561) 876-2255 or visit www.asianfair.org
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.