PHILADELPHIA — As part of a weeklong local residency hosted by Asian Arts Initiative and Haverford College’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, the modern South Asian dance company Dakshina | Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Co. presents a free feature performance on Saturday, March 17, at Haverford’s Marshall Auditorium in Roberts Hall. The troupe will also treat audiences to a sample of its signature dance work on Friday, March 16, as part of Asian Arts Initiative’s monthly Family Style Open Mic series.
Asian Arts Initiative, which seeks to promote the stories of Asian-Americans and the diverse communities they are a part of, is thrilled to host Dakshina for the second spring in a row. By blending traditional Indian dance forms like Bharata Natyam with modern movement, the award-winning Washington, D.C.-based company mirrors the complex identity of second-generation Indians and other South Asians.
Family Style Open Mic, a monthly series celebrating Asian-American storytelling through song, dance, poetry and spoken word, welcomes Dakshina for a special preview performance. Hosted by spoken word performance due Yellow Rage, the open mic series invites the sharing of stories among Asian-Americans and extended “family” from all communities and cultures.
The performance at Haverford the following evening will include artistic director Daniel Phoenix Singh’s signature fusion work, Vasanth, which premièred to critical acclaim at the Kennedy Center’s Maximum India Festival in 2011. The piece depicts the Indian myth of how spring comes to earth. Singh will also share the new piece Since You’ve Asked, a tender duet for two men which draws on the choreographer’s gestural, lyrical work and uses the poetry of Leonard Cohen and Jacques Brel’s signature “Ne Me Quitte Pas” as the musical score. Aniruddh Vasudevan, a Bharata Natyam dancer based in India and Singh’s longtime collaborator, joins Dakshina as a guest artist for this performance.
In addition to the two public performances, Dakshina’s weeklong series of activities includes performances and workshops at Holy Redeemer Church and School in North Chinatown, Coopertown Elementary School in Bryn Mawr, and on campus at Haverford College.
Learn more about Dakshina’s Philadelphia residency by visiting www.dakshina.org or calling Asian Arts Initiative at 215-557-0455.
Schedule of Public Performances & Activities
Dance Workshop for Youth
Wednesday, March 14, 4:30 p.m., free (RSVP recommended by calling 215-557-0455 or emailing nicole [at] asianartsinitiative [dot] org), no experience required
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
Family Style Open Mic
Friday, March 16, 7:30 p.m., $5-$10 (sliding scale); 6:45 p.m., pre-show reception
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
Full Concert Dance
Saturday, March 17, 3 p.m., free (RSVP required at brownpapertickets.com); 4:30 p.m., dessert reception
Haverford College, Marshall Auditorium in Roberts Hall
370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, PA 19041
This tour is co-presented by Asian Arts Initiative and the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Haverford College and made possible with support from the Students’ Council at Haverford College, the National Performance Network (NPN) Performance Residency Program and a grant from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
