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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Mandala Arts
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260502T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260502T203000
DTSTAMP:20260423T231532
CREATED:20260326T170909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T213908Z
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SUMMARY:Purush: when power becomes poetry
DESCRIPTION:Mandala Ensemble Presents\, “Purush: When Power Becomes Poetry” featuring an evening-length performance that explores improvisation across classical Indian dance traditions by male dancers. Dancers trained in Bharatanatyam\, Kathak\, and Odissi interpret shared musical compositions through their distinct movement vocabularies and rhythmic sensibilities. As each artist responds spontaneously to the music\, the performance reveals how different classical forms approach improvisation—through unique body language\, rhythmic dialogue\, and expressive interpretation—creating a dynamic conversation between tradition\, individuality\, and creativity. \nPurchase tickets here: https://www.eventcombo.com/e/Purush-When-Power-Becomes-Poetry-78620  \nArtists:\nColin Mascarenhas is an Odissi artist and founding member of the Aikyam Odissi Dance Collective in Chicago. Trained in Mumbai under Guru Jhelum Paranjape\, he has over 20 years of experience in the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra style of Odissi. His aesthetic draws inspiration from classical temple architecture\, reflecting Odissi’s sculptural and spiritual roots. Colin has performed at major venues across India\, including NCPA Mumbai and the US Embassy in Delhi\, as well as the Consulate of India in Chicago. He is dedicated to preserving traditional Odissi and teaching it in the Chicago area.\n\nRajagopalan Kiran James is a Chicago-based dancer\, choreographer\, educator\, and nonprofit leader whose performances and embodied practice are rooted in poetic storytelling and social justice. With 35 years of training in Bharatanatyam\, Kiran creates bold\, educative productions bridging South Asian classical and ritual dance with other world dance forms. He is the co-founder of Daya Arts\, a nonprofit highlighting South Asian and West African arts\, and Off the Beat\, a podcast imagining new futures for South Asian dance. He has performed internationally\, participated in artist residencies at Snug Harbor and Catwalk Institute\, and formerly served as Executive Director of Kalapriya.
URL:https://www.mandalaarts.org/event/purush-when-power-becomes-poetry/
LOCATION:Visceral theater\, 3121 N Rockwell St\,\, Chicago\, IL\, 60618\, United States
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ORGANIZER;CN="Mandala Arts":MAILTO:info@mandalaarts.org
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260516T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260517T170000
DTSTAMP:20260423T231532
CREATED:20260129T175945Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T161051Z
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SUMMARY:Asian American Heritage Month
DESCRIPTION:In honor of Asian Heritage Month\, Pan-Asian artists gather across three Forest Preserves of Cook County to bring cultural memories of nature to life. Through live interviews collected by Mandala team\,  musicians\, dancers\, and narrators transform these stories into a vibrant\, immersive performance experience. \nSet within the natural beauty of the forest preserves\, audiences will journey through Asian dance\, music\, and storytelling that reflect deep cultural connections to land\, memory\, and community. This unique event invites participants to experience the forest through the sounds\, movements\, and voices of diverse Asian traditions. \nArtists Include: Chethan Anant\, Tzu-Tsen Wu\, Bob Garrett\, Tatsu Aoki\, Saraswathi Nanganathan\, Pak Ngurah Ensemble\, and more! \nMay 16th\, 2026\, 11am-12pm\nLittle Red Schoolhouse Nature Center\n9800 Willow Springs Rd\, Willow Springs\, IL 60480 \nMay 16th\, 2026 2pm-3pm\nCaldwell Wellness Center\n6350 W Devon Ave\, Chicago\, IL 60646 \nMay 17th\, 2026 1:30 pm\nRiver Trail Nature Center\n3120 Milwaukee Ave\, Northbrook\, IL 60062 \n  \nArtist Lineup & Bios: \nChethan Anant: Chicago-based Indian classical musician\, multi-instrumentalist\, and educator blending Hindustani classical music with jazz\, Carnatic\, blues\, and electronic collaborations. Founder of The Bansurist LLC. \nTzu Tsen Wu: Taiwanese musician specializing in zhongruan and liuqin\, also playing ukulele\, guitar\, piano\, banjo\, and jakhee. Performs internationally and teaches while pursuing a master’s in World Music at Northern Illinois University. \nBob Garrett: Chicago-based musician and composer with extensive experience in theater\, dance\, and international music collaborations. Performed in Hamilton (Chicago)\, Sting’s The Last Ship\, and The Lion King national tour. Co-founder of Posterchild Art. \nSaraswathi Ranganathan: Chicago-based Carnatic veena artist and cross-cultural collaborator. Chicago Music Award winner who has performed with Disney’s Jungle Book and received Logan Foundation support. Over three decades of performing and teaching. \nTatsu Aoki: Chicago-based composer\, filmmaker\, educator\, and performer. Founder of the Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival and Executive Director of Asian Improv aRts Midwest\, advancing cross-cultural collaboration and Japanese traditional arts. \nHabib: Sarod musician. More information coming soon! \nPak Ngurah Ensemble: Gusti Ngurah Kertayda\, Lead\, is a graduate of the National Performing Arts Institute (KOKAR) in Denpasar\, Indonesia. He is now the director of Indonesian Dance of Illinois\, a non-profit organization in the greater Chicago area promoting Indonesian culture through dance and music. \n  \nThis is a free event. Please Register Here!
URL:https://www.mandalaarts.org/event/asian-american-heritage-month/
LOCATION:IL
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260530T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261016T170000
DTSTAMP:20260423T231532
CREATED:20260129T181503Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T153101Z
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SUMMARY:Red Line Jazz Project
DESCRIPTION:Mandala Arts Red Line Project \nThe Mandala Arts Red Line Project is a Chicago-based public arts initiative that brings live jazz performances into spaces along the Chicago ‘L’ Red Line\, transforming everyday transit environments into vibrant sites of cultural exchange and musical encounter. Organized by Mandala South Asian Performing Arts\, the project uses the concept of the mandala—a symbol of unity\, rhythm\, and interconnectedness—as a guiding metaphor for collaborative musical expression. \nThrough a series of curated performances\, local jazz musicians and ensembles present short live sets at or near Red Line stations\, creating spontaneous moments of connection for commuters and neighborhood residents. The performances blend jazz improvisation with global musical influences\, reflecting Chicago’s rich musical heritage and its diverse communities. \nThe project aims to: \n\nActivate public transit spaces with live music and cultural programming\nCelebrate Chicago’s jazz legacy and the city’s vibrant community of musicians\nCreate accessible performance opportunities for artists in everyday public settings\nEncourage moments of reflection\, joy\, and connection for commuters and passersby\n\nBy placing live jazz within one of Chicago’s busiest transit corridors\, the Mandala Arts Red Line Project transforms routine travel into an immersive cultural experience—where rhythm\, improvisation\, and community converge. \nIn essence: the project uses live jazz performance in public transit spaces to embody the spirit of the mandala—interconnected voices creating a shared\, evolving musical experience.
URL:https://www.mandalaarts.org/event/red-line-jazz-project/
LOCATION:IL
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