Flushing, NY: On November 7, Flushing Town Hall, a nonprofit, will celebrate the Festival of Lights with its sixth annual Diwali Festival–reimagined as a free virtual event.
“Diwali is a festive time of gift-giving, charity and sharing in feasts with loved ones,” said Ellen Kodadek, Executive and Artistic Director of Flushing Town Hall. “We are very pleased to move our annual Diwali event online while we follow health and safety guidelines for indoor venues. Although we’ll miss audiences in our theater, we plan to create the same excitement for audiences at home as they learn to create delicious Indian foods, explore Diwali’s customs, and discover Indian traditional, folk, and Bollywood dance moves, and have their own dance party at home!”
The virtual celebration mixes live and pre-recorded content and opens with footage of a home traditionally decorated for Diwali and an explanation of the holiday and traditional foods. Then Nupur Arora, owner of Queens Curry Kitchen will demonstrate mouth-watering authentic Indian dishes with ingredients that you can find at your local grocer, including Aloo Gobhi (spiced potato and cauliflower), Tikka Masala
Then move the furniture and get ready to move as master Indian dancer Abha B. Roy and the Srijan Dance Center show you traditional, folk and Bollywood dance moves. This is followed by a three-minute, fun-filled set with Rutgers Tamasha performing a choreographed piece entitled “Riot Maari,” blending a variety of dance forms starting with hip-hop, transitioning to their roots of traditional Bollywood dance, and then ending with classical Southie moves. The piece has been choreographed by Bhaavi Patel and Aarushi Bhardwaj. Now that you are energized, keep moving as DJ Rekha spins the music for a 30-minute Bhangra dance party.
Audiences can support these amazing artists and Flushing Town Hall by making a donation- and receive some fantastic gifts.
