A B.C. registered charity that educates in rural Indian schoolchildren is planning a major fundraising celebration in Surrey. Vivek Educational Foundation of Canada (Vivek Canada) will offer an enchanting evening of storytelling, movement, classical Indian dance, poetry, and music. It starts at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday (March 1) at the Taj Park Convention Centre (8580 132 Street).
Senior and youth members of Vivek Canada’s Dawn to Dusk program will perform the opening act of Vasant Utsav (Spring Festival) with Kathak choreographer Prajakta Potnis Tehran.
“This abhinaya will guide the audience through Vivek Canada’s journey, using the expressive art of Kathak to bring the organization’s story to life,” Vivek Canada says. “It’s a testament to the power of intergenerational connections, as seniors and youth from the Dawn to Dusk program share the stage.”
Dawn to Dusk pairs seniors with youths to promote volunteerism and social inclusion of seniors.
There will also be plenty of live music. Performers include Neeraja Aptikar (classical Indian vocals), Onkar Chadha (saxophone), and the talented family trio of Gurdit Singh (tabla), Nimrata Rassna Namdhari (vocals), and Gian Singh (djembe, cajon). In addition, Band Synthesis—comprised of Chandni Hari, Vishwesh Iyer, and Kaushik Tilak—will also perform.
Tickets are $45 for individuals and $320 for an entire table. And this comes with appetizers and dinner. Proceeds will benefit Vivek Canada’s educational initiatives in Canada and India. This time, charity is focusing on scholarships for female students and sustainable development projects.
Vivek Canada was incorporated in 2006 and now has four elementary schools in Puranpur Tehsil in Uttar Pradesh. In 2015, the charity converted all thatched-roof huts in its schools to concrete, all-weather lockable rooms. According to the charity, more than 2,500 children have completed their education in these schools, with many going on to pursue higher studies.
Vivek Canada will celebrate Vasant Utsav at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday (March 1) at the Taj Park Convention Centre. For tickets and more information, visit Eventbrite.ca.
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The Society of We Are Canadians Too created Pancouver to foster greater appreciation for underrepresented artistic communities. A rising tide of understanding lifts all of us.
We would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. With this acknowledgement, we thank the Indigenous peoples who still live on and care for this land.
