In their first production of the summer, the Zingaris present Rhythmic Illusions, an ensemble of high-energy, multicultural dance pieces which blends Asian-Indian folk, Bollywood, and classical with hip-hop, Jazz, modern, African, and other international flavors.
The dance line-up for the three-hour concert offers an eclectic mix of performances. While old favorites like Eena Meena Deeka bring alive Kishore Kumar’s heydays in the ‘50s. Dola re Dola brings onstage a fast-paced dance displaying the traditional Bollywood film-dance moves.
The ever-popular Bhangra dance is represented through Brit Bhangra fusion, a performance that seeks to explore the traditional aspects as well as modern influences of Bhangra through the medium of dance set to the song of Sukhshinder Shinda.
Here is a peek into some of the other dances you can expect to see at Rhythmic Illusions:
*Maatlo Dance. Panihari—The Water Carriers is a enchanting folk dance set to an instrumental composition by Maestro Zakir Hussein.
*Organik sets the stage for a fusion of jazz, hip-hop, modern and filmy styles, set to Buddha Bar music.
*Kahe Ched Mohe—A graceful Kathak piece based on a song from movie Devdas, features intense but subtle footwork, pirouettes, and expressions.
*Awaaz is a dance that dance stems from the theme of East Meets West and subtly intertwines the popular dance forms of each region. Jazz, hip-hop, and modern dance forms from the West are interwoven with Kathak and Bharatanatyam styles from the East.
*Tippani is another folk dance from Gujarat , where dancers use the tippanis (sticks) in unison, as they criss-cross the stage.
Founded in 2001, Zingaris prides itself on staging high quality productions that showcase diverse dance forms from the South Asian subcontinent and, in the process, raise funds for other non-profit organizations that support child literacy and women’s empowerment initiatives in developing nations. “The dancers are all Bay Area artists, who are engineers and doctors during the day, and volunteer using their passion for dancing to help fundraise for various organizations, in the nights and weekends,” says Sujata Chadha of Zingaris.
Part of the proceeds from Rhythmic Illusions will be donated to America India Foundation (AIF) and Narika.
AIF supports socio-economic developmental projects in India and Narika works to address the problem of domestic violence in the South Asian community in San Francisco Bay Area.
So why should you go? “To view a high quality South Asian production that showcases diverse dance forms from the South Asian subcontinent,” says Chadha. That, and the opportunity to support child literacy and women’s empowerment initiatives in developing nations.
Saturday, June 26, 7 pm. Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission Street , San Francisco . $25-$35. $5 discount if purchased by June 12. (408) 480-5850. tickets@zingaris.org. www.zingaris.org