MIAAC Film Festival

The longest-running, most prestigious Indian film festival in the country, the Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council (MIAAC) Film Festival, rolls out the red carpets from Nov. 10th – 14th to welcome filmmakers, cast and crew, and industry heavyweights from all over the world to the independent cinema capital of the country – New York City. While the features, shorts, and documentaries (all world or New York premieres) are the main focus at the SVA Theater (333 W.23rd St., between 8th and 9th Avenues in Chelsea), the sidebar festival, “Bhumika: The Roles of Smita Patil,” at the Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater (165 W. 65th St., between Broadway and Amsterdam), FILMINDIA, a series of panel discussions about film production in India, and the daily after-parties at glamorous venues all over the city will share some of the festival’s spotlight.

Confirmed celebrities attending the film festival and walking the red carpets include: Mani Ratnam, Ketan Mehta, Mira Nair, Rituparno Ghosh, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Madhur Jaffrey, Ekta Kapoor, Tusshar Kapoor, Padma Lakshmi, Rahul Bose, Salman Rushdie, Aasif Mandvi, Samrat Chakrabarti, Manu Narayan, Tannishtha Chatterjeee, Seema Biswas, Ajay Naidu, Arun Vaidyanathan, and many others.

For more information or to buy tickets click here

Bollywood Wedding

Bollywood Wedding is back for another show November 4th, 2010.  Set in New York City, the story is packed with high-energy fueled by Bollywood Fusion music and sultry dances. It is a show that truly involves the audience become part of the wedding. An Indian girl from an upper-class westernized family, Nisha, falls in love with an Indian boy, Raj, who is from a middle-class proud family. The two families are still getting to know each other and they have to, at the same time, put together a wedding . At this supposedly joyful wedding, Raj’s jealousy, love and dark secrets are unveiled as he discovers the unknown story of  Nisha’s past. When one family tries to leave their heritage in the past and the other defends it to great lengths, utter chaos breaks out.

Bollywood Wedding was a hit this past summer.  If you missed it, this is your chance to see what all the hype was about.

 For more information or to buy tickets click here

Jamming for Pakistan

On Thursday, November 18^th, hip hop, rock, punk and urdu come together to jam for Pakistan in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  The evening features Arooj Aftab, The Kominas and Zerobridge.  Proceeds raised go to the Edhi Foundation to assist the survivors of the flooding in Pakistan.  The evening is co-sponsored by Action for Progressive Pakistan, Khadijah’s Caravan, Left Turn NYC, Pakistan Solidarity Network, South Asia Solidarity  Initiative. The event will take place at 93 North 6^th Street, Willliamsburg, Brooklyn.  Tickets are $20 and doors open at 8pm.

SAWLF – Alpha Generation: Leading Women in Hedge Funds

South Asian Women’s Leadership Forum Women in Finance cordially invites you to a special event featuring leading women in hedge funds on Tuesday, November 16^th from 6:30-8:30pm.  Special Guest Speakers includeShahla Ali, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer, Millennium Partners, Shireen Qadri, Partner, Pilot Advisors LP, Sangeetha Ramaswamy, Eton Park Capital Management.
 
This special presentation will showcase the experiences of senior women at New York hedge funds whose roles include investing and portfolio risk management functions; macro-economic analysis; and trading and research of individual sectors. The speakers will share their experience of challenge and achievement as well as offer insights into the dynamic hedge fund industry including advice for women with a passion for investing.

For more information and to register online click here

I’ve got the Bling Now What?
This Wednesday, November 10^th, Bridal Insider is back with a great new topic…you’re engaged and on cloud 9 now what? Sign up for this free session to get tips on wedding planning from Preeti Shah from Spotlight Style. She will be hosting a bootcamp session on how to start wedding planning and equip you with the basics to make your big day a SMASHING success. Lilly Rivera from BridalGal will also be providing mini makeovers to glam you up. This will all take place at Shaadi Studio 336 West 37th Avenue between 8th and 9th Avenue.

Be sure to register here

The American India Foundation: Your Voice For The Cause

Join AIF’s New York Young Professionals Chapter at their fourth annual “Your Voice for the Cause” fall mixer and 2010-2011 Initiative  Selection.

Sunita Shekhawat Jaipur, Jeweler to Indian Royalty and Movie Stars.

She strives to marry contemporary tastes with intricate craftsmanship passed on for generations
by the Karigars who were settled in Jaipur many centuries ago by Maharaja Jai Singh. The
exclusive collection includes pieces set in gold with enamel work, diamonds, polki (rosecut
diamonds), emeralds, rubies and unusual gems like champagne diamonds and pink opal.

You are invited to a showcase and sale of exquisitely crafted modern and bridal fine jewelry by
Sunita Shekhawat Jaipur, jeweler to Indian royalty and movie stars.

When: October 21-22 from 10am to 8pm
Where: Empire Hotel, Living Room Suite, New York City

Playwrights Week

When: October 28-24, 2010
Where:  The Lark Theatre
Click here for more information.  

Book Launch: At Home with Madhur Jaffrey

When:  October 19, 2010
Where: John McWhinnie@Glenn Horowitz Bookseller
50 ½ East 64^th Street, NYC

Shailja Gupta’s Walk Away

Love, lust, loss, hope….what will they walk away from???  Find out by attending Shailja Gupta’s new film Walk Away.

When: October 22, 2010
Where: Big Pictures, 59^th Street & 2^nd Avenue, New York, NY

IAAC Art Auction

The IAAC benefit auction is being held this month!  Participating artists include Shalina, Aminda Ahmed, Shelly Bahl, Smanta Batra Mehta, Fareen Butt, Niyeti Chadha Kannal, Nandini Chirimar, Ruby Christi, Vinod Dave, Asha Ganpat and more!

When:  October 26, 2010
Preview: 11:00am – 6:00pm
Auction: 7:00pm

Where:  Sundaram Tagore Gallery

547 West 27^th Street, New York, NY

Click here for more information.

The Fourth New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Fest (NJISACF) 2010

NJISACF 2010 will showcase films by and about South Asian women from around the world that challenge the stereotypical and traditional portrayal of South Asian women in mainstream commercial cinema. 

The fourth NJISACF will be a free-for-all film festival, meaning that the audience will not be charged any entry fee. This is possible because of a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. Additional funding will come from donations from community patrons and small grants.

The festival will feature filmmaker Q&As and panel discussions (with topics including: Changing Representations of Women in South Asian Cinema and South Asian Women Reshaping their Identity : a discussion on South Asian Diasporic Women Filmmakers) with participation from scholars and academics from a variety of disciplines.

When:  October 29 & 30, 2010

Women’s Education Project Present “Taste of India”

 This event features homemade Indian dishes, samplings from local restaurants, a Q&A with up-and-coming Bollywood star Prashant Raj and a Bollywood film screening.  Support the Women’s Education Project by working toward helping young women in South India succeed in college and careers, and enjoy the many flavors of India.

When: October 12, 7-10pm
Where: Katwalk, 2 West 35^th Street, New York, NY

Suggested Donation:  $15 online and $20 at the door

Buy your tickets here. 

SAY WE presents BYOB© – Bring your own business cards after work

South Asian Young Women Entrepreneurs (SAY WE) cordially invites you to attend a Fall Networking Cocktail Mixer.   SAY WE creates a collegial forum in which South Asian women can network, support each other, and applaud one another’s major accomplishments. SAY  WE also aspires to encourage and contribute to the advancement of women in South Asia.  Join SAY WE to help build the entrepreneurial network you are looking for.

When: October 12th 6PM – 8PM
Where: Belcourt, 84 East 4th Street

 CitySaheli and ShaadiStudio present Bridal Insider

 Don’t miss your chance for your chance to meet the top wedding experts and an unforgettable fashion show.  Space for the panel is limited to 60 brides but the floor will open up after 8 pm for you to meet and mingle.  Register now before it’s too late.

When: October 13^th, registration and cocktails begin at 6 PM
Where: 336 West 37^th Street, Suite 600

 Misha Nicole Pre-launch Fashion Event

As they set to launch the MISHA NICOLE concept store and showroom in NYC later this year, Misha Nicole would like to celebrate Fall fashion with you at Norwood, a private, members only club in Chelsea.  They will preview their latest collections, featuring hand-selected international designers from the runways of NYC, Mumbai, New Delhi and Paris.  Come mingle, sip on cocktails and expose yourself to fabulous global fashion trends.

MISHA NICOLE is partnering with Hope for a Healthier Humanity, a non-profit organization committed to assisting the developing nations of Latin America achieve improved healthcare delivery. Jazz performance courtesy of La Bella, with a family tradition in string making since 1640.

When:  October 15, 2010, 7pm (no admittance after 9pm)
Where:  Norwood, 241 West 14^th Street, New York, NY
RSVP Required

The story itself revolves around the character of 29-year-old Sanjay Gupta, the New-Zealand born son of Indian immigrants. His problems, at least according to his family, revolve around his unmarried status. (Sound familiar?) When his parents conspire to set him up with a girl, the plot thickens and complications ensue. As the story develops, we encounter eight memorable characters – all skillfully played by Varma – each with a distinct personality and quirks. Varma switches from one character to another with uncanny ease, replacing his charming native Kiwi accent to a high-pitched woman’s or a genial uncle’s in a split second, contorting his face and miming actions to draw the audience in and make the story come alive. With excellent comedic timing and audience participation, there is never a dull moment in the show. Several bollywood-style music and dance numbers are interspersed throughout, a vehicle for Varma’s impressive dance skills. His high-energy performance is guaranteed to draw applause and keep you laughing the entire time.

The venue: quaint, intimate Triad NYC theatre, which is a bit hard to find, even on popular 72^nd street. The small space guarantees an up-close-and-personal view of the performer and a relaxed environment. There is a two-drink minimum and the bar is cash-only; expect a hefty price tag ($7) even for non-alcoholic beverages like soda, tea, and coffee. Tickets are $18-$30 and can be bought online here. There are only five more shows in New York, Sahelis, so be sure to book your tickets now!

Playing October 7 and 21, November 12, December 3 and 17 @ 9pm at the Triad NYC.

Celebrate Diwali at the South Street Seaports 23^rd annual festival, hosted by the Association of Indians in America.  The festivities include breathtaking classical and fusion performances, a variety of different  cuisines from India and fun-filled activities for children.  The day will start at 12:00pm and end at 8:00pm.

 For more information http://www.southstreetseaport.com/events/deepavali-festival

Join Sankara along with Indus Tuesdays and CitySaheli where a night of fashion and beauty meets music and arts.  A fashion show courtesy of Gurdiya couture will take place and DJ Karma will be spinning all night. Suggested ticket donation is $20.  All proceeds from this gala will support Sankara Eye Insititutions which help eradicate blindness in India. 

 For more information about Sankara and the event, visit www.GiftofVision.org

Children’s Hope Gala
10.10.10

Children’s Hope India presents An Evening in Mumbai, an evening with dinner, drinks and entertainment celebrating Mumbai’s culture, creativity and cuisine.  The event will take place on 10.10.10 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.  Honored guests include Dr. Indu Shahani, the Sheriff of Mumbai and Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, the Consul General of India and Bollywood Director Karan Johar.  The proceeds from this event will support Children’s Hope, whose belief and motto are that “Every Child Counts.”  Their mission is to give disadvantaged children in India a chance for a brighter future.

To buy tickets or for more information http://childrenshopeindia.org/display.php?id=44

 Thursday: Basement Bhangra @ SOB’s

On the first Thursday of every month, DJ Rekha brings us the infamous Basement Bhangra party at the nightclub SOB’s on West Houston Street. Doors open at 7pm; prices are $5 before 8pm or $16 after, but you can grab $13 tickets at the door with the flyer on Rekha’s website. While the site advertises free frozen mojitos and a bhangra dance class from 7-8 pm, the bhangra class starts  after 9 pm, though the mojitos are indeed available if you want to arrive early, sip a drink and mingle. The bhangra class, led by Raeshem, is a lot of fun for beginners and experienced dancers alike. After learning a few basic moves, stringing them together into a brief sequence and practicing them along with the music, partygoers are invited up onto the stage to show off their new skills.

 Rekha, a multitalented musician and activist, is credited with spearheading the bhangra music movement in North America, and has been spinning beats for this NYC bash for over a decade! Unlike many other South Asian dance parties, there is no mainstream hip-hop or pop at this party; Rekha plays exclusively bhangra music with some Punjabi rap sprinkled throughout, while an interesting blend of visuals incorporating Hindi flicks play onscreen. Rekha also performs at other venues (check out Bollywood Disco this Saturday, September 11^th at Le Poisson Rouge!) which you can look up here. Bring your friends and your best bhangra moves, and expect good beats and a lively crowd.  You can see what the event looks like below

Friday and Saturday: BollyFusion at Haven

 Haven, a hookah bar and lounge in East Midtown, offers a slightly different vibe. Every Friday and Saturday a crowd of South Asians descend to get their groove on to a great, danceable selection of music. Doors open at 10pm and admission is free all night for both girls and guys; as an added bonus, on Fridays, BollyFusion Ladies’ Night, the first 40 ladies in receive a free drink ticket. Though the dancing doesn’t really get going until around midnight, you can come early to chat with your group of friends and choose from a wide selection of hookah flavors. You may want to stop by an ATM beforehand as well, as hookahs are cash-only and there is a $40 credit card minimum at the bar. Downstairs, DJ Manan Shah and DJ Menace spin a fantastic mix of Bollywood, hip-hop, reggae, and top 40 hits. The space is a bit narrow, so expect some bumping and shuffling around dancers to get to the long bar at the back. Upstairs is reserved for VIP and bottle service, but if you do decide to get there earlier you may be able to snag one of the plush Victorian-inspired seats there for a while as you puff on your hookah, enjoy the music and décor and wait for the dancing to begin.

 Saturday: Bollywood Remix @ Tonic

 At sports bar Tonic in Times Square, Saturday is Bollywood Remix night. This expansive trilevel bar’s screens go dark at night to make way for disco lights and, on the second floor, thumping Hindi hits, sprinkled thoughout with pop and dance tracks. Sahelis showing up before midnight receive free admission, with gentlemen at a reduced price of $15; afterwards, cover goes up to $10 for ladies and $20 for guys on the guestlist. The venue is located in tourist-packed Times Square, so expect to shell out even more than typical NYC prices for drinks, and you may have to literally yell your orders out to the bartender over the pumping music. However, a packed crowd of 20- and 30-something South Asian partygoers and nonstop dancing makes it worth the while. Later in the night a bellydancer graces the bar with fluid and sensual moves that will make the entire floor stop and stare. Come energized and ready to dance all night! 

Sessions are setup as two day, three-hour intensive workshops and are divided into two age groups: ages 9-15 and ages 16 and older. No past formal training is required.  You can register online here and it is available on a first come first serve basis. Space is limited to allow for personal attention to each Saheli.  A portion of the proceeds from this workshop will go to the benefit of The Terence Lewis Dance Foundation Scholarship Trust to offer dance as a serious career option.

Mention CitySaheli to get a $20 discount off regular workshop prices $200.  So Saheli’s, get your dancing shoes on, learn from the best, and help a great cause!  For more information please contact Punchali Kumar at punchali@mokshaarts.com

NYC:
September 11th and 12^th
Location: Alvin Ailey Studios

NJ:

September 13th & 14^th
Location Royal Albert’s Palace in Edison, NJ

Sweet Silk was created by Shefalee Patel and is a family owned and operated company.  They offer a contemporary brand of confections that blends unique flavor combinations and elegant presentation.

Their confections are derived from Indian sweets, known as “mithai”.  Mithai are known for their rich blend of sugar, milk, nuts and spices.  Sweet Silk utilizes traditional cooking techniques and has created their own distinctive flavors within their brand of confections. Each sweet is prepared individually by hand and can be decorated to create a confectionary delicacy. Don’t just think of your standard mithai flavors, imagine coconut chocolate ganache and pistachio white rose.  YUM!

The Sweet Silk Launch Event will be on Wednesday, August 18th from 5pm to 8:30pm at Shaadi Studios located at 336 West 37th Street, Suite 600 (between 8th and 9th Avenue) in NYC.  For additional information on the event or to RSVP, email info@savorsweetsilk.com or visit them on Facebook at www.savorsweetsilk.com/facebook.

Check out special IAAC screenings of both films.

Bombay Summer
August 20^th
Queens Museum of Art
Flushing Meadows Park, Corona, NY
Tickets are Free

Bombay Summer explores the fleeting and delicate friendship between three young people and its eventual disintegration in the face of betrayal and loss.

Hiding Divya, shot in NYC and New Jersey, tells the story of three generations of women and the taboos created in the South Asian American community from mental illness in the family.

Hiding Divya
August 20^th
Big Cinema
239 59^th Street
Tickets: $13 General/$9 students and seniors

Includes a post screening discussion with cast and crew including Rehana Mirza, Madhur Jaffrey, Deep Katadare and Pooja Kumar.

SAWLF: Join Madhur Jaffrey and Rehana Mirza for a Private Screening of Hiding Divya

If you can’t make it to the IAAC screening, join South Asian Women’s Leadership Forum (SAWLF) for a special screening of the new feature film Hiding Divya on Monday, August 23rd.  Women and men are invited and encouraged to attend.
 
A special Q&A with Hiding Divya writer/director Rehana Mirza and actor Madhur Jaffrey will immediately follow the film.
 
7 PM
Big Cinemas Manhattan
239 East 59th Street (between Second and Third Avenues)
 
Tickets $13 General / $9 Students and Seniors
Tickets are available on-line. Advance purchase highly recommended:
http://www.movietickets.com/movie_detail.asp?movie_id=58596
 

In India this momentous national holiday is celebrated with flag-hoisting ceremonies in cities, schools and colleges around the country.  The main event takes place in New Delhi, where the national flag is hoisted by the Prime Minister at the Red Fort.  Parades are also common, as are gathers with friends and family.

Showing your patriotism in New York is just as easy as it is in India, so get out there and celebrate!

Eat.

There’s nothing like celebrating a country’s independence than by eating some of its authentic fare and shopping for its local goods.  Check out CitySaheli’s article on Bazaars Can Be Bizzare for the go to places in NYC’s Curry Hill.  Looking for something a little different, check out Fusion Restaurants To Try In NYC and enjoy a fusion feast!

Play.

Celebrate by letting your  vocal cords soar with British pop star,  Jay Sean , live at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ.

When:  Friday, August 13^th at 9pm
Where: Trump Taj Mahal
Atlantic City, NJ
Tickets:  $35, $50, $75, $100 & VIP
Buy Tickets Here 

In the mood for something more low key.  Join Julia Roberts in her adventure through India in Eat Pray Love which launches this weekend.  Check out CitySaheli’s Sizzling Movies For the Summer for a review of the film.

It isn’t Independence Day without a parade.  Show your love for your country by participating in the world’s largest India Day Parade this Sunday, August 15^th, in New York City!  Saluting India will be Bollywood star, Preity Zinta.  The parade will be taken out along Madison Avenue and will conclude where cultural programs will be held until 6pm.

Madison Ave & 38^th Street to 28^th Street – 1pm to 3:30pm
Madison Ave & 26^th to 24^th Street – 11am to 6pm
Madison Avenue on 23^rd Street – 2pm to 6pm