e-culture: Annamayya, Indian Dance, REI Presentation, travel
May 16, 2000


IN THIS ISSUE
Annamayya's Life Story, Friday, May 19
Namita Bodaji, Bharata Natyam, at UH, Tuesday, June 6
Copper Canyon at REI, Monday, June 12
Travel and more



Please support these great events and forward the information to others who might be interested. A true legend in music and one of the world's most respected teachers, Dr. Balamuralikrishna, is coming to Houston this week. Also, Namita Bodaji, from Bombay, India, will make a special appearance at University of Houston and we'll interview her on KTRU, Rice University Radio. Namita is doing us a great favor by making these community appearances and several student organizations are helping us make this a free event. Please don't miss these great opportunities.

In travel: We'll make two trips to Colorado this summer. And, we'll hold an in-store discussion and slide presentation on Mexico's Copper Canyon at REI on June 12.

There won't be another e-culture update until the Fall. Please see the Calendar page and Features page for new information.

http://www.houstonculture.org

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ANNAMAYYA'S LIFE STORY

A Dance Drama featuring Pamavibhushan BALAMURALIKRISHNA

"Annamayya", which premiered at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival in April, will be repeated in Houston, on Friday, May 19 at 7.45 pm at the Rice School, under the sponsorship of SAMSKRITI, Center for Indian Performing Arts and ANJALI dance company.

The great Telugu and Sanskrit composer Annamacharya, is credited with composing thousands of songs in praise of Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati. The ballet, ANNAMAYYA, captures the important aspects of this saint-poet's life story, with music specially composed by the living legend Dr. Balamuralikrishna and choreographed by Dr. Saraswati Sundaresan. A group of 18 musicians and dancers will enact this unique and devotional theme. The Sutradhara or the narrator will elucidate and integrate different scenes through commentary in English and creative dance movements.

Dr. Balamuralikrishna will make special appearance on stage, to the accompaniment of seven professional musicians, who are trained in both Hindustani and Carnatic music. Various styles of Indian Classical Dance -- Mohini Attam, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Kathak are represented in this ballet.

Tickets are $50,$30 and $20 ($5 0ff for students and seniors). Advance purchase is recommended since tickets will not be sold at the gate due to policy constraints. Information: Rathna Kumar 713-772-2787 or 713-774-6100, or Deepti Raju 281-565-1204, Madras Pavilion 713-521-2617.

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NAMITA BODAJI PERFORMANCE AT UH

Namita Bodaji, performing classical Indian dance, Bharata Natyam
Additional performances include West African dance, Middle Eastern dance and Spanish Flamenco.
Tuesday, June 6, 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
Houston Room in the University Center
University of Houston, Entrance 1

This event is free thanks to these sponsors:
Houston Institute for Culture, Rice University Radio, UH Asian American Studies Center, University of Houston Student Program Board and International Student Organization

More Information: www.cultural-crossroads.com, or 713-521-3686, or email Mark Lacy at mark@cultural-crossroads.com.

NAMITA BODAJI:
Namita Bodaji's talent has taken her from the temples of India to the House of Soviet Culture to the World Folk Festival in Utah. She entered the prestigious Sri Rajrajeshwari Bharat Natya Kala Mandir Institute in Bombay in 1985 and has continued to study under the Gurus of the Institute.

Namita Bodaji performed for the audience of Swami Haridas Sammelan after receiving the title "Sringar Mani", which is conferred on the most qualified upcoming Indian dancers, in 1990. She has performed in the ballets "Vasantavalli" and "Krishna Lila" (choreographed by Guru Kalyanasundaram) in the South of India and she has appeared at the India International Center in New Delhi.

She has performed during important Indian festivals, Pallovothsava and Janmashtami, and at holy temples, such as Guruvayoor in Kerala, and Jagmohan Palace in Mysore. She has also been featured on an Indian dance tour of England.

The talented dancer additionally choreographs and teaches the Indian dance form Bharat Natyam. She has a Masters in English Literature. She is currently visiting the United States as part of a cultural study exchange program held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania through May.

Namita Bodaji will perform classical Indian dance as the featured performer in a diverse program at the University of Houston on Tuesday, June 6. The dancer will keep a full schedule in Houston. She will make a community center appearance on Sunday, June 4, interview on Rice University Radio on Monday, June 5 and perform at the University of Houston on Tuesday, June 6.

Prior to her performance at University of Houston, Namita Bodaji will perform on May 30 at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and June 2 at a temple in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Following her performances in Houston she will teach three workshops at Dance Vision 2000, June 9 through 11, in Falmouth/Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts and make another stop on her tour in Chicago, Illinois on June 18.

Photos and Press Information:
http://www.houstonculture.org/world/namitapress.html

Get this handy calendar and event reminder for your desktop:
http://www.geocities.com/hifc/calimg.html

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COPPER CANYON PRESENTATION AT REI

On Monday, June 12, 7:00 pm, Dan Coats and I will give two descriptions of deep canyon hikes in Mexico's Barranca del Cobre:
Dan's -- hiking the Incised Meanders along the Rio Urique from Umira to Tejaban
Mark's -- making the crossing from Urique to Batopilas via Cerro Colorado.
And, brief info on two side trips -- Basaseachic Falls and Mission Satevo

REI is located at 7951 Katy Freeway. The store is just east (on the downtown side) of Chimney Rock.

More info. and directions:
http://www.rei.com/storelocator/houston/

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TRAVEL

The tentative itinerary for the July trip to New Mexico and Colorado looks like this:
Museums of Santa Fe/Historic Plaza
Chimney Rock Archaeological Park
San Juan Mountains
Bear Creek National Recreation Trail
Ice Lakes Basin/Blue Lakes
Mesa Verde National Park
Acoma Pueblo (Sky City) and much more

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MORE

Stay tuned to the calendar for more information on the Houston Sculpture 2000 Northside Expo as it gets closer.
http://www.houstonculture.org/resources/cal.html

34th Annual National Polka Festival
Friday - Sunday, May 26 - 28
Parade, Saturday at 10:00 am
Food and crafts market on the square
Ennis, TX


Have fun,
Mark

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M A R K   L A C Y / mark@cultural-crossroads.com


The Houston Institute for Culture
http://www.houstonculture.org

World Music on KTRU
http://www.houstonculture.org/world/music.html

Virtual Classroom: Cabeza de Vaca
http://www.houstonculture.org/vc/vc.html

Help make the virtual world a better place
http://www.houstonculture.org/resources/goalstodo.html

Upcoming performance by Namita Bodaji
http://www.houstonculture.org/world/namita.html