Enter a new world:
50+ artists from all over the world come together for Drive East 2016, transforming the LaMama theater into another world.
This year, Navatman takes its highly praised Drive East festival one step further to create an immersive experience of culture and colors.
August 1, 2016 New York. In just 3 weeks, from August 22nd 28th, Navatman will enter its fourth week long Indian performing arts festival for the fourth time at the LaMama Experimental Theatre on the Lower East Side. Beyond its expansive 22 concert line up, there will be free educational events for all and activities throughout the theater.
In years past, chalk designs have decorated the outside of LaMama, an invitation to the excitement within.
This year, chalk designs become rangoli designs by local artists, who will be decorating the entrance to LaMama at noon Monday-Friday.
Workshops begin as early as 8AM, 4 hour long intensives for advanced and professional dancers by Rukmini Vijayakumar. For those less dance inclined, patrons will find a recreation of some the hustle and bustle of Chennai: vendors hawking jewelry, food, chai and more. Artist meet and greets after each show will be held, and a roundtable discussion on storytelling in Indian mythology will be held on Saturday, August 27th. Of particular note is the free storytelling at 5PM for families that enters the lineup this year.
“At Navatman, we’ve always utilized mudras and abhinaya to weave stories from mythology for our students. We thought this year we could bring it to LaMama. The kids really enjoy it, and it becomes a great entry point for watching dance and music.” Jessica Perez, Navatman teacher
Watching great dance and music has two parts: a great performance, and an excited audience. The atmosphere and events all together will hopefully enhance the patron experience and help them “discover magic in their city.”
About Navatman:
Navatman, Inc was founded with an eye on creating a sustainable home for the South Asian arts in New York City and its surrounding neighborhoods, particularly emphasizing Indian classical music and dance. We are a gamechanging organization dedicated to creating groundbreaking work in the South Asian classical inflatable water slide performing arts in the areas of education, performance, and production. We are best known for our Manhattanbased classes, critically acclaimed productions, dynamic dance company, and stellar carnatic choir, all of which have received reviews in mainstream press including the New York Times, India Abroad, The Hindu, the Financial Times, and The StarLedger, to name a few. Navatman continues to see success in their goal to preserve Indian classical music and dance through democratizing these art forms by increasing their accessibility, and innovating on preexisting business and organizational models to stay relevant, fresh and exciting.
Concert Line Up:
Monday, August 22nd:
7:15PM – 8:15PM Rare Arts of India: Kedar Nephade Solo – Harmonium Recital
8:30PM – 10PM Rukmini Vijayakumar Bharatanatyam Margam
Tuesday, August 23rd:
6PM – 7PM CANCELLED
7:15PM- 8:15PM Sahasra Sambamoorthi: Bharatanatyam Solo with Live Orchestra
8:30 – 10PM Bala Devi Chandrashekar: Magnum Opus “Karna Destiny’s Child ” The Trial and Tribulations in the Life of a Great Warrior Bharatanatyam Solo
Wednesday, August 24th:
6PM-7PM Gaayatri Kaundinya: Hindustani Vocal Solo
7:15PM – 8:15PMRare Arts of India: Yamuna Kalluri Kuchipudi Solo: Lasya
8:30-10PM Navatman Music Collective: Live Carnatic Vocal Choir
Thursday, August 25th:
6PM – 7PM, Akshara Carnatic and Hindustani Instrumental Group
7:15PM – 8:15PM Parul Shah and Company: Kathak Ensemble
8:30PM – 10PM Steve Gorn and Ehren Hanson: Bansuri and Tabla
Friday, August 26th:
6PM 7PM Prince of Dance: All Male Dance Showcase (Bharatanatyam)
7:15PM 8:15PM Pandit Abhijit Banerjee: Tabla Solo
8:30PM 10PM Rare Arts of India: Sunanda Nair and Company MohiniAttam
Saturday, August 27th:
2:45PM – 3:45PM Shruthi Shekhar: Carnatic Musical Showcase
4PM – 5PM Shishir Kumar: Carnatic Saxophone
6PM-7PM Viraja and Shyamjith Kiran: Bharatanatyam Duet
7:15PM 8:15PM Basavaraj Brothers: Carnatic and Hindustani Jugalbandi
8:30PM 10PM NADAM: Kathak Ensemble
Sunday, August 28th:
1:30PM – 2:30PM Sreedhara Akkihebbalu and Company: Bharatanatyam Ensemble
2:45PM – 3:45PM Swagata Chakraborty: Hindustani Vocal Solo
4PM – 5PM Nava Dance Theatre: The Cloud Messenger: Bharatanatyam Ensemble
Educational Events:
August 22 – August 28: 8AM – 12PM – Bharatanatyam Workshop by Rukmini Vijayakumar
August 22 – August26: 5PM – 5:30PM Free storytelling sessions on Indian mythology for children
August 27: 12:30PM 2:3PM Roundtable discussion on Indian Performing arts
Other