NJPAC In Your Living Room: LIVE this week!

Backstage Interview with Angela Johnson
Tue, May 19 @ 6PM
This Tuesday, R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Angela Johnson will talk about her several appearances on the Sounds of the City stage.

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Wellness Wednesday
Indian Classical Dance Class with Akhila V
Wed, May 20 @ 8PM
Don’t miss this virtual class in Indian classical dance instructed by Akhila V of Kalagangothri Foundation!

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Thursday DJ Dance Party with DJ Storm Norm Da General
Thu, May 21 @ 7PM

Get up and move to old school R&B spun by BKS1 Radio's DJ Storm Norm Da General!

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Healing Through the Arts Workshop Led by Danielle Scott
Sat, May 23 @ 2-3PM

Join us for an interactive visual arts demonstration to help participants express their voice using mixed media.

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Sponsored by the Horizon Foundation of New Jersey
Sponsored by Women@NJPAC
Generous support provided by ADP, official Community Engagement Partner of NJPAC.

Bringing the magic of NJPAC to you! Every day we'll be posting new content for you to enjoy while you're home. We're offering a curated collection of past Arts Center performances, interviews with our favorite artists, information from our partners, educational videos for children and much more. more

COMING UP @ MAYO PAC IN MORRISTOWN

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Browse Our Full Lineup

State Theatre New Jersey presents Taj Express—The Bollywood Revue

Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue

WHEN: Saturday, November 16, 2019, 8pm
WHERE: 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick
TICKETS: $40-$98
For tickets, more information, or group discounts, call State Theatre Guest Services at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at STNJ.org. State Theatre Guest Services, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 6pm; Saturday from 1pm to 5pm; and at least three hours prior to curtain on performance dates unless otherwise specified. Additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.

This high energy celebration of new India’s pop music, Bollywood culture, and deep traditions features joyful dance, colorful costumes, and thrilling live music from A.R. Rahman the composer of Slumdog Millionaire.

Taj Express is a spectacular new musical from Film City, Mumbai which recently completed a smash hit, sell-out tour of the United Kingdom. Directed by Shruti Merchant and choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant, Taj Express stars actual dancers from the world's most favorite Bollywood films.

This performance rhythmically blends the sounds of India and Bollywood, capturing the vibrant, expressive spirit of the world of Bollywood movies that have been entertaining billions of people in India for generations. Through a fusion of film, dance, and music, this dazzling international sensation takes audiences on a live cinematic journey through modern Indian culture and society. North America will be wowed by high-energy dance numbers, the latest Bollywood hits, spectacular costumes and exquisitely designed film projections created by the A-list of India's film and fashion industries.

Taj Express follows the story of one man’s passion and another man’s genius. Young composer Shankar struggles with his music, and it’s only when he begins to follow in the footsteps of his idol, A.R. Rahman, that he discovers his path to success. The production reveals the secrets of the world’s most prolific film industry, and the people behind the screen who make the magic in India’s factory of dreams.

With a cast of multi-talented Bollywood performers such as Mikhail Sen, Hiten Shah, and Tanvi Patil, Taj Express is an uplifting show full of color, high-energy music, and sensational dance scenes. It features choreography from one of Bollywood’s top young choreographers, Vaibhavi Merchant, and music by A.R. Rahman, composer of Slumdog Millionaire; all under the direction of Shruti Merchant.

Vaibhavi Merchant (Director of Choreography) has been the Director of Choreography for over 75 Bollywood films and is known for her smash hits such as Dhol Baaje, Jhoom Barabar, Kajra Re, Kamli, and Dhoom3. She has received numerous awards for her choreography including the prestigious National Award for Choreography, IIFA and the American Choreography Award.

Shruti Merchant (Director/ Producer) is also amongst the top choreographers in the industry. Starting in 2014, she appeared on India’s leading dance reality show, Dance India Dance, as a judge for seasons 4 and 5.

About State Theatre New Jersey

The theater exists to enrich people’s lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through arts education. State Theatre New Jersey’s programs are made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. United is the official airline of the State Theatre.

COMING EVENTS @ THE BROOK ARTS CENTER IN BOUND BROOK

Immerse yourself in the timeless South Indian art form of Bharatanatyam and be transported by the rhythmic dance and captivating music that explores physical agility, emotional breadth and theatrical excellence.

WHEN:  Saturday , November 2, at 2:00pm.
WHERE: Brook Arts Center, 10 Hamilton St., Bound Brook
TICKETS: All tickets $10 
Tickets available @ www.brookarts.org

Bharatanatyam is one of the most popular classical and traditional dances of India, which has origins in Natya (dance) Yoga. This dance form brings forth spiritual semblance through synchronized physical and emotive body movements. Bharatanatyam is a dance form, which has rich history dating back to 2000 years. It is inspired by the sculptures of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu, India.

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The Dance Connection's Nutcracker is central New Jersey's original youth ballet Nutcracker. Young ballerinas and dancers from ages 5-18 dance a beautifully narrated and abridged version of Tchaikovsky's classical ballet. Come experience this beautiful story, the magic, the precision, and grace of theses talented young dancers. Families and children are invited join us on stage after the show. It's perfect for young audiences!!

WHEN: Showtime December 7, @ 1 pm
WHERE: Brook Arts Center, 10 Hamilton St., Bound Brook
Tickets available @ www.brookarts.org

Note: All registered Dance Connection students are entitled to one free ticket to the Bound Brook show. If you’re registered for classes with us, get your free ticket by contacting the office at (908) 874-8800.

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All abroad the Polar Express!  Get your Golden Ticket for an evening of fun and adventure. Wear your pajamas and bring a comfy blanket. Cozy up with cocoa and cookies to watch this holiday film that tells the story of a young boy who embarks on a magical adventure on Christmas Eve, to the North Pole abroad the Polar Express. Along the way, he learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.

WHEN: Santa arrives at 5:30 pm to greet all guests. Showtime Saturday, December 14 @ 6:30 pm 
WHERE: Brook Arts Center, 10 Hamilton St., Bound Brook
TICKETS: $10 for Children 2-18 ( includes cookies and cocoa) and $5 for accompanying Adults.
Tickets on sale now @ www.Brookarts.org

Coming to MST: Surati's “Ramaavan - A Musical”

Surati for Performing Arts Presents

*Note: This production is not produced by MST and tickets are not available at our site. For tickets and more information, visit suratifpa.org

Surati's popular and consistently sold-out show Ramaavan-A Musical is being presented at MST this year with a bang. With a bigger cast and venue, the show, a part of Surati's Lights of Diwali festival, is expected to be sold out.

The musical is in English, performed by an international cast, with elements of Indian classical dance and music, Shakespearean style verse, musical theater, poetry, opera, jazz and contemporary genres.

The show brings together performers from different ethnic backgrounds and communities to tell this story from India, in order to highlight Surati's mission of artistic expression crossing boundaries of war, color, race and gender, promoting acceptance, respect, peace, harmony and brotherhood.

WHEN: Wednesday the 30th of October (preview at 7:30 pm) & Friday, November 1st (opening at 8 pm), Saturday, November 2nd (3 and 8 pm), and Sunday, November 3rd (12 and 4 pm) 
WHERE: Mile Square Theatre, 1400 Clinton St., Hoboken
TICKETS: range between $25-$100 with children, student and senior discounts, available online.
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The Arts Council of Princeton and Princeton Shopping Center present “An Evening with Bollywood”

An Evening with Bollywood
Dance performances, folk arts and crafts, and more

WHEN: Saturday, September 21, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m
WHERE: Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton
ADMISSION: free

The Arts Council of Princeton and Princeton Shopping Center present An Evening With Bollywood, a free, family-friendly event celebrating Bollywood culture. In previous years, this event has attracted over a thousand people from local and surrounding communities.

From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., enjoy folk arts and crafts, vendors, Mehndi henna tattoos, and more. Princeton Integral Yoga Community Center will lead free yoga drop-ins - bring your yoga mat! At 5:30, Uma Kapoor’s NachNation Dance Group will take the stage.

From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., join us for a Bollywood Dance Party in the courtyard to the tunes of DJ Atresh. 

“An Evening with Bollywood is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the sights and sounds of Bollywood,'' says event coordinator and choreographer Uma Kapoor, “Create crafts, shop a bit, and take in a NachNation dance show. All are welcome, so come and just have fun!"

Free, ample parking is available at the Shopping Center. For more information, please visit artscouncilofprinceton.org or call 609.924.8777.

The Arts Council of Princeton, founded in 1967, fulfills its mission of Building Community through the Arts by presenting a wide range of programs including community arts outreach, exhibitions, performances, free community cultural events, and studio-based classes and workshops in a wide range of media. Housed in the landmark Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, Arts Council of Princeton programs are designed to be high-quality, engaging, affordable and accessible for the diverse population of the greater Princeton region. Visit artscouncilofprinceton.org for more information.

For more than 60 years, Princeton Shopping Center has been a true community gathering place. Its unique design boasts 40 local and national retailers, and a two-acre landscaped courtyard that is warmly referred to by community members as “the living room of Princeton.” Anchored by local and family owned McCaffrey’s Market, the center not only serves as a staple for goods, but is jointly used as a neighborhood events space. Partnering with local organizations, the center remains a vibrant meeting place for residents and visitors throughout the year.

Crossing Indian Rhythms at the Bickford Theatre - September 16

Crossing Indian Rhythms
A gateway for music lovers into Indian music with a young ensemble that teaches, drums, dances and “duels”

WHEN: Sunday, September 16, 2018 at 2:00PM
WHERE: Bickford Theatre, 6 Normandy Hgts. Rd., Morristown
TICKETS: Museum and CMANA Members: $15; Non-Members: $20; Seniors: $18; Students: $15 (with valid ID)
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 973.971.3706 or at www.morrismuseum.org/special-performances/

The Morris Museum will launch its new partnership with the Carnatic Music Association of North America (CMANA) with a percussion concert.

CMANA, based in New Jersey, promotes and propagates the understanding and appreciation of Indian music and related fine arts throughout North America. Carnatic music, in particular, is the classical musical tradition of southern India, and remains more elusive for North-American audiences, than the better-known Hindustani music of northern India. This partnership strives to bring great performances of Carnatic music to the Indian-American community of northern New Jersey, while designing performances that introduce this fascinating music to general audiences. http://www.cmana.org/

In Crossing Indian Rhythms, young Indian percussionist, Akshay Anantapadmanabhan (above, left), and his ensemble will decipher the astounding complexities of Indian rhythm, featuring the ancient mridangam and kanjira drums, as well as the konnakol "scat-singing" of percussion syllables and bharatanatyam dance.

This five-part concert will give an inside view of the most sophisticated and rhythmically complex hand-drumming in the world. Beginning with an elegant showcase of the dual-headed mridangam drum, played by Anantapadmanabhan and his disciples, the jaw-dropping konnakol (rhythmic "scat-singing") of South Asia will demonstrate the numerical principles behind these intricate drumming techniques.

Guest percussionist, Adam Maalouf, will add further global accents into the concert, playing the cajon and hangpan. Fresh rhythmic interaction will be added in the second half of the concert, as dance is added into the mix.

The audience will be invited to participate in many of the demonstrations, and there will be opportunities to ask questions of the performers after the grand conclusion.

Top: Sudharma Vaithiyanathan. Photos by Chella Vaithiyanathan.

THIS WEEKEND @ UNION COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

WE ARE FAMILY: Celebrating InSpira's 16th Anniversary

WHEN: Jun 23, 2018, 12:00 PM
WHERE: UCPAC Mainstage, 1601 Irving St., Rahway, NJ

The Little InSpirations Show will feature our young dancers ages 2-6 plus our Academy Program Dancers.

The Big Show will feature our dancers ages 7 to adult.

AATMA Performing Arts Presents

RASA

WHEN: Sun Jun 24, 2018, 5:00 PM
WHERE: UCPAC Mainstage, 1601 Irving St., Rahway, NJ

AATMA Performing Arts presents its 9th annual student & company showcase Rasa, a depiction of the human mind through a variety of Indian dance styles and visual storytelling.

As always, there are no added fees no matter how you choose to purchase your tickets. The UCPAC has a NO REFUNDS and NO EXCHANGES policy that applies to all ticket sales. Discount codes cannot be combined and cannot be applied to past purchases.

Box Office hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM-5 PM, with extended hours of 11 AM-8 PM on Thursdays. The Box Office is also open starting 1 hour before Hamilton Stage events, and 2 hours before Main Stage events.

Box Office: (732) 499-8226

MORRIS MUSEUM, TV ASIA TO HOST INDIAN AMERICAN CULTURE FESTIVAL

Family Festival Celebrating Indian American Culture

WHEN: Saturday, May 9, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
WHERE: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Hgts. Rd., Morristown
ADMISSION: free with museum admission

The Morris Museum is proud to announce it has teamed up with TV Asia to present a Family Festival celebrating the new exhibition "Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation.” The event will feature a classical Indian dance performance, an Indian magic show, and more.

Taking inspiration from the “Beyond Bollywood” exhibition, the Festival offers activities for everyone in the family.  For further information, visit morrismuseum.org.

• 11:00 AM: Indian Dance Performance
  Accomplished Bharatanatyam performer Ramya Ramnarayan (above) will present "Arpana: A Divine Offering."
• 1:30 PM: Indian Magic Show
  Join world-class magical entertainer Shreeyash Palshikar (below) for a show featuring the magical traditions and cultures of India. The performance includes an Indian rope trick, a water suspension mystery demonstration, and more.
• 3:00 PM: Indian Magic Talk
  Magician Shreeyash Palshikar will provide a historical and cultural overview of Indian magic starting with its roots in Indian mystical practices and concluding with a discussion of the current state of the art.

About “Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation”

“Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation” was created by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. The exhibition will bring to life the rich history of immigrants from India and Indian Americans in the United States and detail their many contributions to America. Through a collection of photographs, artifacts, videos, interactive stations and stories, visitors will learn about the Indian American experience and the many dynamic roles they have played in shaping American Society and culture. “Beyond Bollywood” will be on view in Morristown from May 2 through July 12, 2015.

APRIL OFFERINGS @ RVCC ARTS IN BRANCHBURG

Put a little spring in your step with a month of music, theatre, musical theatre and dance here at RVCCArts. There's even a little Shakespeare. Now is the discontent of our winter . . . as it were. We'll look for you early and often. Lustig Dance Theatre Saturday, April 5, at 8 PM Tickets: $20 & $30 more Scrap*Arts*Music Sunday, April 6, at 7 PM Tickets: $15 & $25 more NEARLY LEAR Susanna Hamnett Tuesday, April 8, at 12 & 7 PM Tickets: $10 @ 12; $25 @ 7 PM more HATCHET Treehouse Shakers Thursday, April 10, 10 AM, 1:30 PM & 4 PM Ages 2+  Tickets: $10 more GURU OF CHAI Indian Ink Theatre Company Saturday, April 12, at 8 PM Tickets: $20 & $30 more THE FANTASTICKS Nebraska Theatre Caravan Sunday, April 13, at 2 PM Tickets: $25 & $35 more   SWINGLE SINGERS Saturday, April 26, at 8 PM Tickets: $25 & $35 more   performance                                              tickets