MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kurie Fitzgerald: [email protected], 202-994-6461
Maralee Csellar: [email protected], 202-994-7564
WASHINGTON (Aug. 26, 2015)—Indian culture is not homogenous; it is influenced by the country’s diverse religions, languages, dances, music and customs. GW’s Lisner Auditorium will celebrate this versatile society with its 2015-16 Indian culture series.
This season, the auditorium welcomes folk, pop and traditional Indian music acts; Bollywood dance; Bhangra; and spirituality presentations. The season-long celebration kicks off with two shows in the fall, including Mystic India, a Bollywood dance spectacular, and author Deepak Chopra. The spring brings two Indian-themed shows: Bhangra Blowout, a Southeast Indian dance competition, and sitar player Anoushka Shankar. These performers and author represent Lisner’s focus on bringing the world to D.C., and the lineup is part of the venue’s commitment to celebrating diverse cultures.
“We’re excited that the artists in this series bring different perspectives on their country,” said Maryann Lombardi, director of GW’s Lisner Auditorium. “The season includes exhilarating music and dance performances and an alternative medicine advocate.”
After performing to sold-out audiences across the world, Mystic India comes to Lisner on Sept. 19. Mystic India is an internationally acclaimed Bollywood dance show. Mystic India’s founders saw that Bollywood dance was losing its authenticity as it grew in prominence. They created the performance to spread Indian culture and to represent the Bollywood tradition accurately.
Mystic India demonstrates India’s transition from ancient to modern times through dance and creative staging. The show begins by focusing on various regions of India and culminates with a celebration of the Bollywood film industry. The show features musicians, dancers, aerialists and acrobats. Closing out the fall portion of the series on Nov. 13 is Dr. Chopra, who will discuss his latest findings in both mainstream and alternative medicine. Dr. Chopra is the author of more than 75 books translated into more than 35 languages, including 21 New York Times bestsellers. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and an adjunct professor at several universities.
Lisner continues its Indian culture series on April 1, 2016, with Ms. Shankar, a Bengali/Tamil sitar player and composer. Hosted in partnership with Washington Performing Arts, Ms. Shankar will perform music from her latest solo album “Home,” which she released in July 2015.
The 2015-16 Indian culture series ends with the Bhangra Blowout event on April 9, 2016. Bhangra Blowout is an intercollegiate South Asian dance competition featuring the high-energy dance style Bhangra, which has origins from Punjab, India. The show, which is in its 22nd year, is a display of fierce competition and represents the importance of Bhangra in the U.S.
Media interested in covering shows in the Indian culture series must contact Kurie Fitzgerald at [email protected], or 202-994-6461.
Tickets may be purchased by calling Lisner’s box office at 202-994-6800 or by visiting www.lisner.gwu.edu. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the GW Lisner box office. Box office hours are Tuesday through Friday, noon-6 p.m. Also, visit www.lisner.gwu.edu for information about other performances this year.