East-West Times…Information you desire
Sixth AACSA Convention A Grand Success
A precursor to this year’s holiday season, Tampa residents witnessed a day and night to remember as the Sixth Annual National Convention of the Asian American Convenience Store Owners Association (AACSA) held its Exhibition and Trade Expo and Gala Awards Banquet. The day events were marked with high level networking amongst store and business owners across the country, while the evening entertainment was full of excitement.
Over 10,000 Attend Tampa India Festival
Over 10,000 people from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, California, and New York attended the Oct. 30th 2010, 23rd annual India Festival. Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay first organized this event in 1987 and it has been held every year since then. Part of the Fair was the ever popular dance competition; more than 600 dancers and singers dressed in colorful regional Indian attire took part in four categories– garba, raas, folk and bhangra.
Navratri - A Celebration Of The Goddesses
The whirling dancers, clapping hands, distinct sound of wooden sticks struck together, toe tapping music and people wearing colorful clothes marked the Navratri celebration at the Garba & Dandiya Raas dances held all over Florida. This is part of the worship of Durga Mata who symbolizes the victory of good over evil; the Navratri celebration marks a festival of nine nights during which Hindus worship goddesses Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, the goddesses of health, prosperity and knowledge, respectively. While Navratri and Dussehra (the 10th day) are celebrated …
Ganpati Bappa Moraya!
Shivaji Park, Lal Baug, and Chowpatty – all famous venues in Mumbai - seemingly came to the grounds all over Florida - albeit on a smaller scale with various organizations and temples celebrating the Ganesh Chathurthi with great ethusiasm and high spirits. Children of all age groups along with Adults ceebrated this festival with pooja and cultural programs.
Floridians Celebrate India Independence Day!!!
The Indian-American community across Florida turned out in large numbers and enthusiastically celebrated the country’s 64th Independence Day by hosting the Indian flag and organizing a series of events such as cultural events, songs and speeches. Amongst the Florida cities celebrating the day of liberation were Fort Lauderdale, Melbourne, Orlando/Casselberry, Tampa Bay tri-cities, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Gainesville. The general themes everywhere was to honor the freedom fighters by holding parades, dance performances and of course with plenty of food stalls at each venue to highlighting the contribution …
Baba Ramdev Enthralls Tampa Audience
Internationally acclaimed yoga guru Swami Baba Ramdev spoke on Bharat Swabhiman Movement, meditation and Yoga Philosophy June 30 at the India Cultural Center in Tampa. More than 800 people attended the event, which was organized by the Federation of India Associations of Tampa Bay (FIA), AACSA, Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay and India Cultural Center.
Central Florida Witnessed A Sold Out Devotional And Musical Drama!!!
Back by popular demand Central Florida witnessed part two of the sold out religious Drama ‘Sathwar Radheshyamno’ a the Cypress High School Auditorium on June 5th 2010.
Bayside Bhangra 2010 Brings Indian Dance And Entertainment To Tampa Bay
Filling Ruth Eckerd Hall with an audience of nearly 1,500, Florida’s first annual Bayside Bhangra competition brought an international cast of dancers and singers to Tampa Bay. Bhangra is a folk dance from the Indian state of Punjab and has reached an international stage in the last decade.
SA RE GA MA Winner Sanjeevani’s Thrilling Performance In Orlando
The Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA dedicated to education and village development in rural India sponsored a show with four artists from India to who gave a mesmerizing performance and an evening to remember at the Hindu Temple in Casselberry Florida.
The Lead Female vocalist of the group Sanjeevani Bhelande took the audience thru a journey of vintage film songs to the latest hits. Sanjeevani is the very first winner of Zee TV’s popular show Sa re ga ma.
Florida Celebrates Holi 2010!!!
Holi is undoubtedly the most fun-filled and lively of Hindu festival. It’s an occasion that brings in unadulterated joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance, and, of course, lots of bright colors! The festival of Holi was celebrated all over Florida enthusiastically by different organizations. The Gujarati Society of Central Florida Celebrated Holi in March with Holi enthusiasts gathered for loads of fun with colors.
