The Kathak Ensemble & Friends received a 2011 New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Public Service Award to develop and premier two new productions, to teach ongoing Kathak technique classes, and to teach a series of dance classes for pre-teens at the Lower East Side Girls' Club.

The Ensemble’s performance on July 2nd at the Brooklyn Museum celebrates the museum’s exhibition AVATARS of VISHNU. Performing for the third year in IATI theater’s Performing Arts Marathon, the Ensemble presents Dance Jewels from Lucknow – City of Dreams on July 30th at Baruch Performing Arts Center.

Ongoing Kathak technique classes are taught at all levels. In Spring 2010 the Ensemble added chidren’s classes to its schedule.

Since its founding in 1978, the Kathak Ensemble has established its home base on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The Ensemble has been particularly pleased that it could give back to the community by teaching two series of dance classes for the Lower East Side Girls' Club in July 2010 and March-April 2011.

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The Kathak Ensemble's programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

July 2nd @ The Brooklyn Museum

AVATARS of VISHNU

The Kathak Ensemble brings to life stories about Lord Vishnu illustrated in this major art exhibition. Enacting episodes from Vishnu’s various descents to earth - avataar, the dancers depict flute-playing Krishna, the warrior-king Ram and Narasimha, the man-lion. The performance concludes with a show- stopping dance from the popular Bollywood film Dev Das.

Dancers: Janaki Patrik with Geetika Agrawal, Tara Chowdhury, Janhavi Dalvi, Neha Kulkarni, Meenakshi Lala, Sandhya Menon, Brighid O’Dea, Urvi Patel, Rashi Verma, Sowmya Viswanath.

Saturday, July 2nd, 6pm – Brooklyn Museum – Cantor Auditorium – 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238-6052.

# 2 or 3 subway to Eastern Parkway / Info on Brooklyn Museum Site

This performance is part of Brooklyn Museum’s “Target First Saturday”. Admission to the museum is free from 5 to 11pm. At 5pm free tickets for admission to the auditorium will be distributed to the first 330 people waiting in line.

July 30th @ Baruch Performing Arts Center
Enter on 25th Street between Lexington & 3rd Avenues, Manhattan

DANCE JEWELS of LUCKNOW – City of Dreams

The Kathak Ensemble & Friends showcase Kathak, the classical dance style from the fabled north Indian city Lucknow. The unique mixture of Hindu and Islamic cultural influences in Lucknow’s courts and drawing rooms forged brilliant pure dance techniques and expressive storytelling mime. A selection of traditional dances from the repertoire concludes in a show-stopping finale, which displays the glory of Lucknow-style Kathak.

Dancers: Janaki Patrik with Sowmya Viswanath, Rashi Verma, Urvi Patel, Brighid O’Dea, Sandhya Menon, Meenakshi Lala, Neha Kulkarni, Janhavi Dalvi, Tara Chowdhury, Geetika Agrawal.

Saturday, July 30, 3pm – Baruch Performing Arts Center, 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue