Preview - Mandala Arts and Culture presents Gait to the spirit

Mandala Arts and Culture presents
Gait to the spirit
October 26 to 29, 2012 Vancouver

July 24, 2012

Mandala Arts and Culture presents GAIT TO THE SPIRIT, the third edition of its annual festival of Indian classical dance.

GAIT TO THE SPIRIT 2012
Dates: October 26 to 29, 2012
At: Scotiabank Dance Centre, Vancouver, Canada

PERFORMANCES:
Friday, October 26 at 8pm
Double Bill: Shalini Patnaik (USA, Odissi) and Aakash Odedra (UK, Kathak)
Saturday, October 27 at 8pm
Savitha Sastry (India/USA, Bharatanatyam)
Sunday, October 28 at 1:30pm (Pay what you can)
Malavika Santhosh (Canada, Bharatanatyam

Tickets: $25 (general), $22 (students & seniors)
Special price of $44 for both nights

LECTURE & WORKSHOPS:
October 27 at 1.30pm (free)
Lecture demo on APPROACHES TO CONTEMPORARY WORK by Aakash Odedra
October 28 and 29 from 6pm to 9pm ($70)
Master workshop in Bharatanatyam by Savitha Sastry

For the 3rd edition of their annual dance festival GAIT TO THE SPIRIT 2012, Mandala Arts and Culture presents three styles of Indian classical dance; Odissi, Kathak and Bharatanatyam, featuring artistes Shalini Patnaik (USA), Aakash Odedra (UK), Savitha Sastry (USA / India), and Malavika Santhosh (Canada).

In addition to the performances, the festival will offer a 2 day Bharatanatyam workshop by Savitha Sastry as well as a lecture demo by Kathak dancer Aakash Odedra. Aakash will speak on the nature and influences of his more contemporary work.

Information about the festival and Registration for Master Classes: 604-874-8985
www.mandalarts.ca

Although still very young, SHALINI PATNAIK has already been performing Odissi in America, UK and India. She was selected by pop superstar Madonna to choreograph and perform for a televised performance at the 1998 MTV Music Awards, and she also was the choreographer for singer Ricky Martin’s 2006 tour. She has performed for Pandit Ravi Shankar's 90th anniversary as well as for George Harrison. Shalini brings forth the finesse, agility and sensuality off this curvaceous dance style.

AAKASH ODEDRA is a rising star of South Asian dance in the UK. Widely known as an accomplished Kathak dancer, Aakash has also trained in Bharatanatyam, indo jazz and contemporary dance forms. Most recently, he presented a solo evening of contemporary choreography by Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Russel Maliphant called "Rising" at the Saddler's Wells Theatre.

Our headlining featured artiste for the 2012 festival is Bharatanatyam dancer SAVITHA SASTRY. Savitha has performed in Australia, India, Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia and USA. We are pleased to present her for her first performance in Canada. Her dance is marked by the purity of her geometric lines, and long reaches. Savitha's dance has been featured in the 2011 BBC documentary ‘Sex, death and the gods,’ a film about the history of dancers in South India.

As part of the festival, Mandala also likes to integrate some of the new upcoming generation of Indian classical dancers. This year they will present young Bharatanatyam dancer MALAVIKA SANTHOSH, a graduate of the Jai Govinda Dance Academy. She will present a new dance repertoire choreographed by Jai Govinda and created for the 2012 festival.

MANDALA ARTS AND CULTURE is a Vancouver Based Company dedicated to producing, developing and presenting the classical dance forms of India, supporting the artistic vision of director Jai Govinda. Mandala equally exist to create a legacy of excellence for Bharatanatyam by training students through the Jai Govinda Dance Academy, by giving them a platform to perform, share and possibly train other students.

Mandala encourages and provides opportunities for the presentation and reinterpretation of the traditional forms into contemporary context. It also encourages and provides opportunities for local, national and international collaborations and exchanges. It is committed to introducing the dance forms to diverse audiences by taking the complex and nuanced forms of dance and making them accessible through presentations, workshops, lecture and demonstrations.

This festival is supported in partnership with The Dance Centre as well as with the generous support of The City of Vancouver, the BC Arts Council and the National training program of Canadian Heritage.