ARASTA Presents CROSSINGS 2007 Festival

Arasta proudly presents Crossings Festival 2007 - a celebration of cultural amalgamation and in the spirit of what Richard Corliss wrote in Time, "culture moves forward by taking new and original voices from the margin and moving them into the centre".

This festival will feature various events from 14 July till 11 August incorporating the theme of Crossings 2007 - South Asian Culture and its shifting median under the influence of Kiwi or Western culture. Annually this theme will change, allowing every culture a chance to shine!

In 2007 we have a wide variety of entertainment starting with the beautiful STEM Dance Kampani, funky jazz sets at Happy, rocking DJ's at Sub 9 with Big Bada Boom, followed by a delicious Culinary Show and a grand finale in our massive concert - starring India singing sensation Vaishali and electronica maestro Papon (featuring our very own Rhian Sheehan).

Keep a look out for our Festival Guide - out soon!

CROSSINGS DANCE EVENTS

STEM DANCE KAMPANI - TRADITION MEETS MODERNITY

Saturday 28 July

8pm, The Opera House, Wellington

Tickets: $38-$23 (Ticketek charges may apply)

Bookings: 04 384 3840 or www.ticketek.co.nz

Beautiful motifs of traditional Indian dance collide with experiments in rhythm, design and original music, flowing together to form STEM Dance Kampani's world famous signature style.

STEM (Space Time Energy Movement) began in 1995, to explore and create new expressions in dance. Today, it has emerged as one of India's leading contemporary Indian dance companies, recognized for its lyrical and dynamic performances both in India and abroad.

Don't miss this one night only performance with one of India's premiere dance company. www.stemdancekampni.in

INDIAN CONTEMPORY DANCE COMPETITION

Saturday14 July

8pm, Town Hall, Lower Hutt

Tickets: $15-$10 (Ticketek charges may apply)

Bookings: 04 384 3840 or www.ticketek.co.nz

Not necessarily a "Bollywood" dance competition, there are no restrictions on the type or genre of music used and the winning team will be awarded $2000.

Madhu Nataraj (from STEM Dance Kampani) will select 5 to 10 dancers from amongst the participants and conduct a 14-day workshop, during which she will choreograph a dance for the selected dancers. This dance is to be performed at the Opera House along with the special performances by the STEM Dance Kampni on 28th July. This will be a great opportunity for dancers from Wellington to learn from an acclaimed international dance instructor and her company.

CROSSINGS MUSIC EVENTS

CROSSINGS CONCERT: BOLLYWOOD CROSSOVER

FEATURING VAISHALI, ANGARAAG AND OUR OWN RHIAN SHEEHAN & ONOMATOPOEIA

Saturday 11 August

8pm, TSB Bank Arena, Wellington

Tickets: $55 - $20 (Ticketek charges may apply)

Bookings: 04 384 3840 or www.ticketek.co.nz

Two of India's finest Vaishali Samant, India's beloved 'Queen of Pop' and Angaraag, an exciting new singer/song writer, will collaborate with Wellington jazz and electronica artists in this one night only concert.

Vaishali Samant started learning music from the tender age of 8 singing Marathi (West Indian) songs and she went on to become the most sought after singing star in the Marathi music Industry. She has sung over 2000 songs, was nominated for an MTV 2004 Asia Award, and has lend her voice to some of the best remixes in India with the finest DJ's in the business.

Angaraag Mahanta (Papon) is a singer, composer, programmer and producer. Papon's musical style is free of any genre and his innovative experiments are rich with ambient electronica, acoustic folk, electro ghazals, and new-age Indian classical sounds.

In a unique fusion Wellington electronica legend Rhian Sheehan will be mixing in with his unique blend of acoustic and electronica to add to the melodic journey along with Jazz band Onomatopoeia (with David Ward on guitar, Isaac Smith on double bass and Ian Downer on drums) and other Wellington artists like James Wylie (saxophone), Miles Crawford (piano/keyboards), Karnan Saba (sampler/saxaphone/guitar) and Sachin Ayachit (tabla).

CROSSINGS @ HAPPY

Saturday 4 August

8pm, Happy - 118 Tory St, Wellington

Tickets: $15-$10 (Ticketek charges may apply)

Bookings: 04 384 3840 or www.ticketek.co.nz

Jazz, Electronica and Indian music (classical, folk and contemporary), Crossings 2007 introduces some new sounds that have emerged from experiments by musicians Viraj Salvi, Night Mechanics, and Onomatopoeia. Some of the works to be performed in this event are original pieces of work created in New Zealand for the festival.

BIG BADA BOOM

Saturday 21 July

10pm, Sub 9, Wellington

Door Sales: $10

Big Bada Boom is an underground extravaganza of dhol laden beats, coupled with lyrical madness, and some down right righteous rhythms all rolled into one night of fun. A night of a whole heap of booty shakin', grooving and all your favourite Bollywood and Bhangra tunes for you to sing & dance along.

CROSSINGS FOOD EVENTS

CULINARY SHOW - A FOOD FIESTA

Saturday 11 August

9am-5pm, TSB Bank Arena, Wellington

GOLD COIN DONATION ENTRY

Sips and samples, recipes, demonstrations and stalls of delicious food - a heavenly mix of fine food awaits you at The Crossings Festival Food Fiesta Culinary Show!

Experience a wide variety of ethnic food while enjoying live performances - including various cultural programmes and cooking demonstrations. The organizers promise that this will be one of the most well organized culinary shows held in Wellington. Entry is only a GOLD COIN, so bring the whole family and celebrate this delicious food fiesta!

Dosa Time @ Spice Traders

Monday 6 to Wednesday 8 August

From 7pm, Spice Traders, Westfield Queensgate Mall, Lower Hutt

Tickets: $20 (Ticketek charges may apply) - All you can eat!

Crossings 2007 presents winner of Excellence Award (Goa) for South Indian cooking Chef Veeran Veluchamy. A sumptuous menu of more than 10 different South Indian cuisines will be on offer for these nights - EAT ALL YOU WANT & book to avoid missing out!

PUNJABI SPELL @ LITTLE INDIA

Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 August

From 7pm, Little India Bistro & Tandoor, 18 Blair Street, Wellington

Tickets: $5 (Ticketek charges may apply) - FOOD COST EXTRA

Punjabi cuisine (from the Punjab region of Northern India and Eastern Pakistan) can be non-vegetarian or completely vegetarian. There are certain dishes, which are exclusive to Punjab, such as Mah Di Dal and Saron Da Saag (Sarson Ka Saag).

Chef Jugnu Gill, who is also a very successful entrepreneur will demonstrate and prepare a special three course Punjabi meal for the attendees.

Please note that the cost of food is extra. The admission fee is just to book a space for the demonstration.

www.arasta.co.nz

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