One of the hottest dances around will warm up Holley Hall in Bristol on Sunday, April 6th from 1:00 - 3:30 when the One World Library Project hosts the Bristol Bollywood Bash. Henna, film clips, music, food, Indian chai tea and the lively and complex choreography of Bollywood dance will combine to make this an entertaining afternoon for individuals and families alike. Admission is free, although refreshments and henna designs are available from vendors.
People arriving to the Bollywood themed event at 1:00 will be able to purchase a lunch of Indian food prepared by Bristol Country Store and chai tea offered by John Wetzel of Stone Leaf Tea in Middlebury.
Addison County’s Hadippa Dancers will begin performing Bollywood dance at 1:30. This lively and expressive dance form is the foundation of every great Bollywood film, but the music and movement have also become immensely popular throughout the United States. Jennifer Bruch, founder and one of the Hadippa Dancers, says they are inspired by old and new Bollywood films and always try to stay true to the original choreography when learning a dance. The Hadippa Dancers will alternate between performing a dance and then teaching some of the signature steps, eye movements, and hand and torso movements to anyone in the audience who wants to try it. Bruch will also show dance clips from Bollywood films that have inspired their dances and will talk about the special features of this dance genre. The Hadippa Dancers will end their performances with a classical dance that is a prayer to the Indian god Ganesh. Bruch says, “We are awed and intrigued by the immense creativity in Indian popular cinema, and hope that in some small measure, our dancing will honor and celebrate the Indian culture.” MiddMasti, a Middlebury College student group devoted to Indian dance, will also perform.
A highlight at the Bristol Bollywood Bash will be henna artist Rebecca Freedner of Heartfire Henna Studio in Vergennes, who will be creating her special designs of this “auspicious, ancient adornment”. She is among several individuals who will offer henna designs throughout the event at a range of prices. Children will be able to get free henna designs created by washable markers and will also be able to try traditional Indian crafts.
A number of films and books on Bollywood and the culture of India are available for the public to check out in the One World Library Project collection at the Lawrence Memorial Library in Bristol.
With warm wishes,
One World Library Project
www.OneWorldLibraryProject.org
oneworldlibraryproject@gmail.com
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