Lots to see and do this month, so let’s get to it!

As always, I’ll continue to update this post throughout the month. Send your events to info@sapac.org or leave a comment here.

Matthew Hull @ University of Chicago
Thursday, February 2 @ 4:30pm

Hull, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Michigan, discusses “Paper, Databases, and the Ontology of Land Holdings in South Asia” for U of C’s South Asia Seminar series.

Sharmili Majmudar @ Goodman Theatre
Monday, February 6 @ 7:00pm

Majmudar, executive director of Rape Victim Advocates, joins other activists and scholars for a conversation exploring sexual violence and its relation to race, gender, sexuality, poverty, immigration, and community. The special event is part of the theater’s Context series and serves as a companion to its current production of David Mamet’s Race.

SAADA Community Forum @ Roosevelt University
Tuesday, February 7 @ 5:30pm

The South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) hosts a community forum to discuss how to document, preserve, and provide access to South Asian American history. MasterChef Suzy Singh will also be on hand serving samosas.

Matteo Pistono @ Loyola University Museum of Art
Tuesday, February 7 @ 6:00pm

Author and photographer Pistono presents “Tibetan Pilgrimage: In the Shadow of the Buddha,” an illustrated journey across Tibet.

Intro to SAADA @ University of Chicago
Wednesday, February 8 @ 4:30pm

The South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) documents and preserves the history of the South Asian American community through an online digital archive. Co-founders Samip Mallick (a SAPAC member) and Michelle Caswell will demonstrate use of the archive and showcase items in the archive that help uncover hidden narratives from South Asian American history.

Joy Brennan @ University of Chicago
Thursday, February 9 @ 4:30pm

Brennan, a PhD candidate in the university’s Divinity School, discusses “Dharmas and Being in Mind-only Buddhist Thought” for the Theory and Practice in South Asia program.

Eboo Patel @ Chicago Cultural Center
Thursday, February 9 @ 6:00pm

Interfaith Youth Core’s Eboo Patel joins author, minister, and scholar Dr. Martin Marty, in a discussion of what faith and literature have to say about the wonder of death while the Richard Harris Collection, Morbid Curiosity, is on display.

Venus @ Greenhouse Theater
Friday, February 10 – Sunday, February 19

The Theatre School at DePaul University presents a production of Venus directed by MFA candidate Reshmi Hazra as part of its New Directors series.

Jassie Gift and Vijay Jacob @ University of Chicago
Monday, February 13 – Friday, February 17

The university’s South Asian Sound Interventions (SASI) series presents a series of events on South Indian film songs with film music director and playback singer Jassie Gift and keyboardist Vijay Jacob. Monday & Tuesday: Two workshops on cinematic song crafting. Wednesday: South Indian film screening. Thursday: Symposium on song and dance in South Indian cinema. Friday: Performance.

Junaid Rana @ Northwestern University
Wednesday, February 15 @ 4:00pm

SAPAC alum Rana, associate professor in Asian American Studies at UIUC and author of Terrifying Muslims: Race and Labor in the South Asian Diaspora, gives a lecture titled “Pakistani Brooklyn: Where You At?” for Northwestern’s Asian American Studies program.

Rajeev Kinra @ University of Chicago
Thursday, February 16 @ 4:30pm

Kinra, assistant professor at Northwestern University, discusses “Civility and its Discontents: The Use and (More Often) Abuse of Mughal Letters” for U of C’s South Asia Seminar series.

“My Asian Mom” Auditions @ Act One Studios
Sunday, February 19 @ 2:00pm

A-Squared Theatre Workshop holds a casting call for its original sketch dramedy show and is especially seeking South Asian actors.

Pierre-Julien Harter @ University of Chicago
Thursday, February 23 @ 4:30pm

Harter, a PhD candidate in the university’s Divinity School, discusses “Epistemological and soteriological considerations about the Path of Vision (darśanamārga) in the Buddhist path as elaborated in the literature of the Abhisamayākāra” for the Theory and Practice in South Asia program.

Dr. Seema Kumbhat @ Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Friday, February 24 @ 7:30am

Kumbhat, Medical Director, Medical Devices, Hospira, and Emerging Leader, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, discusses “Medical Innovation in a World of Rapidly Changing Markets” at a breakfast hosted by the Council.

Last updated January 20.

Happy New Year, friends! All of us at SAPAC wish you the very best for 2012. Let’s kick the year off with some desi events around town!

As always, I’ll continue to update this post throughout the month. Send your events to info@sapac.org or leave a comment here.

Pakistan: A Rare View @ Noyes Cultural Art Center ADDED 1/4
Tuesday, January 3 – Sunday, January 15

The art center presents “An Introduction to Pakistani Art” featuring work by resident artist Zafar Malik. Free events associated with the exhibit, including poetry reading, music videos, a children’s painting project and gallery talks, will take place Jan. 14 and 15.

Rajorshi Ghosh @ Arc Gallery ADDED 1/17
Sunday, January 4 – Saturday, January 28

The River North gallery presents an exhibition of photography and video by Ghosh and Ray Klimek. “The works in the show explore the historical and imaginative elements of residual landscapes. The images observe ‘landscapes’ focusing on the complex historical traditions and cultural assumptions that shape their perception. While Klimek’s photographs examine former mining sites of N.E. Pennsylvania, Ghosh’s videos and installations reconsider familiar landscapes as sites that blur the complex history of a ‘place’ with its multi-layered present.”

Velcheru Narayana Rao @ University of Chicago
Thursday, January 5 @ 4:30pm

The Emory University professor of South Asian Studies is the first speaker of the year for U of C’s South Asia Seminar Series. He taught Telugu and Indian literature for 38 years at University of Wisconsin-Madison and has written more than 15 books on these topics.

Monica Ringer @ University of Chicago ADDED 1/4
Friday, January 6 @ 4:30pm

The university’s Middle East History and Theory Workshop presents Monica Ringer, Associate Professor of History and Asian Languages and Civilizations at Amherst College, for a talk called “Pious Citizens: theological origins of modernity in India and Iran.”

Chandrika Marla @ Mars Gallery ADDED 1/4
Friday, January 6 – Wednesday, February 1

The West Loop gallery hosts an opening reception the evening of Jan. 6 for Marla’s new show “Social Skin.” From the artist: “My paintings discuss relationships, where fabric bodices represent people. The human form is redundant, and the collaged fabrics can talk and think. Through these forms I portray our outer personas leading their superficial lives. I grew up in New Delhi, surrounded by old buildings and monuments from centuries ago. You see them here in the backgrounds I create, the scribbled-upon walls of my ancient playgrounds.”

NAPAWF Reproductive Justice Community Conversation @ UIC
Saturday, January 7 @ 2:30pm

The Chicago chapter of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum hosts a community forum on reproductive rights for APIA women and girls. Open to all. Co-sponsored by Chicago Foundation for Women’s Asian American Leadership Council and Invisible to Invincible: API Pride of Chicago.

SaunJuhi Verma @ University of Chicago
Thursday, January 12 @ 4:30pm

The U of C sociology PhD candidate specializing in migration/labor studies, sociology of law, and social theory speaks as part of the school’s Theory and Practice in South Asia series.

Works by Sonali Gulati @ Chicago Filmmakers ADDED 1/14
Saturday, January 14 @ 8:00pm

Chicago Filmmakers’ Dyke Delicious Season 9 kicks off with an evening of shorts by South Asian, lesbian, feminist filmmaker Sonali Gulati. Most recently known for her outstanding documentary I Am, Gulati will screen a collection of shorts and join the event via Skype for a virtual Q&A.

Today Like a Kind of Shivering @ Prop Thtr ADDED 1/17
Saturday, January 14 – Sunday, February 12

Written by Curious Theatre Branch’s Jayita Bhattacharya, this Rhinofest piece is billed as “a fairy tale of corrosive unacceptability for two women. And man.”

Stephen P. Cohen @ Chicago Club
Tuesday, January 17 @ 12:00pm

The Brookings Institution senior fellow (and my former South Asia politics professor at the University of Illinois) discusses “Pakistan: A Continuing Crisis, An Uncertain Future” for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

The Paintings of Rabindranath Tagore @ Art Institute ADDED 1/3
Saturday, January 18 – Sunday, April 15

The Art Institute celebrates Tagore’s 150th birthday by bringing “The Last Harvest: The Paintings of Rabindranath Tagore” to Chicago. Co-organized by the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, and the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India, this is the first major traveling exhibition from India to be exhibited at the Art Institute.

Arupjyoti Saikia @ University of Chicago
Thursday, January 19 @ 4:30pm

Saikia, a visiting scholar in Agrarian Studies at Yale, speaks in the school’s South Asia Seminar Series. He is an associate professor of History at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, and is the author of the forthcoming A History of Rural Politics: Assam 1940-1980.

South Asians for Justice Meeting @ Panera UPDATED 1/20
Friday, January 20 @ 6:00pm

The radical grassroots organization hosts an information session for a new Chicago chapter.

Roy Fischel @ University of Chicago
Thursday, January 26 @ 4:30pm

U of C’s Theory and Practice in South Asia graduate student workshop presents Fischel, a PhD candidate in its South Asian Languages and Civilizations program, for its speaker series.

Subcontinental Drift @ The Joynt ADDED 1/17
Thursday, January 26 @ 7:30pm

Celebrate India’s Republic Day at the city’s only regular South Asian open mic.

Jai Ho Retro! @ Big Chicks ADDED 1/17
Friday, January 27 @ 10:00pm

Trikone-Chicago’s bimonthly fundraiser is back with a groovy retro theme! Get your groove on while DJ Erik Roldan spins the sexiest Bollywood sounds.

The mission of the IAC is to mission is to promote the well-being of South Asian immigrants through services that facilitate their adjustment, integration, and friendship with the wider society, nurture their sense of community, and foster appreciation for their culture and heritage

As you go about your holiday merriment and cheer and your gift shopping, please consider supporting the Indo-American Center (IAC), one of SAPAC’s partners, as it conduct its annual holiday toy drive.

Every year, the IAC staff host a holiday party for the approximately 120 youth served by the Center’s youth programs. Each young person receives a toy and their family is served a delicious meal.

Many of the families served by the IAC are recent immigrants and just getting adjusted to life in a new country. This holiday party is a time to come together as a community and celebrate the families’ achievements.  In the past, the IAC was able to access funding to help buy gifts for the toy drive. This year, like many other organizations, the IAC is calling upon us, its community, to help make this another memorable holiday party for their families.

The IAC is trying to raise $1,200 and will accept monetary donations or unused toy donations (unwrapped) until Monday, December 12.

IAC youth participate in a puppet making workshop

Please contact Rachael Bruketta, Development Associate, at rbruketta@indoamerican.org, or Jay Luthra, Executive Director, at jluthra@indoamerican.org for more information.

Unwrapped new toys can be dropped off at

Indo-American Center
6328 N. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 973-4444

Please join us for our next SAPAC General Meeting:

Monday, December 5, 2011
6:00-8:00pm
Barnes & Noble at DePaul Center
1 E. Jackson, 1st floor (corner of State and Jackson in the Loop)

We will be debriefing on our recent Voices of Resistance show at Marwen and discussing our plans for the winter and spring. All are welcome!

Questions? Contact us at info@sapac.org.

Last updated Dec. 15

Well, it had to happen eventually: Winter is finally, officially upon us here in Chicago. Why not make the best of it by checking out some of the great events happening this month?

As always, I’ll continue to update this post throughout the month. Send your events to info@sapac.org or leave a comment here.

Robert Young @ University of Chicago
Thursday, December 1 @ 4:30pm

Young, a professor of English and Comparative Literature at NYU, discusses “Theorizing Cultural Translation” for U of C’s South Asia Seminar Series.

Faisal Alam @ Columbia College Chicago
Thursday, December 1 @ 6:00pm

The Pakistani-American, queer Muslim activist joins Columbia’s One Tribe multicultural student organization for an event commemorating World AIDS Day.

Sandip Burman @ University of Chicago
Friday, December 2 @ 12:00pm

The accomplished tabla player performs for U of C’s South Asian Sound Interventions Series.

Natya Dance Theatre @ Indo-American Center
Sunday, December 4 @ 2:30pm

The first in a series of seven live performances featuring renowned local and international artists that bring the music and dance of India to Chicago audiences. This kickoff event will include Kathak dance by the Anila Sinha Foundation, and dance by the Bollywood Rhythm Dancers. Presented by Natya Dance Theatre and the Indo-American Heritage Museum, with generous support from The Chicago Community Trust. Performances continue throughout 2012, at various Chicagoland venues.

SAPAC General Meeting @ Barnes & Noble, DePaul Center UPDATED 12/5
Monday, December 5 @ 6:00pm

Join us for our next general meeting where we’ll discuss our plans for winter and spring!

Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields @ Facets ADDED 12/5
Monday, December 5 @ 7:00pm

Facets Cinematheque hosts a screening of this harrowing documentary that exposes shocking new evidence of war crimes committed during the closing days of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 2009. There will be a reception at 6:00pm, and Amnesty International USA’s Sri Lanka Country Specialist Jim McDonald leads a discussion following the screening.

Yasmin Nair @ Big Chicks ADDED 12/5
Tuesday, December 6 @ 7:30pm

Writer and activist Nair joins Kathie Bergquist and Nadine Warner for a Windy City Queer Reading hosted by Homolatte, a free twice-a-month, all-ages, queer music and spoken word series in Chicago.

Vijay Prashad & Amisha Patel @ Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
Saturday, December 10 @ 3:00pm

Prashad and Patel join Nathan Brown, Bernardine Dohrn, Adam Green, Kevin Coval, and FM Supreme for an event honoring Jane Addams Day and reflecting on the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Indian American Medical Association Gala @ Meadows Club, Rolling Meadows
Saturday, December 10 @ 6:00pm

A variety of musicians, singers, and dancers honor A.R. Rahman’s music at the IAMA’s annual banquet.

Trikone Ladies’ Night Out @ (Click through for details) ADDED 12/5
Sunday, December 11 @ 5:00pm

Trikone-Chicago hosts a potluck ladies’ night for its members. This is a women-only (trans-inclusive) event.

Dr. Muhammad Arshad @ American Islamic College
Thursday, December 15 @ 6:00pm

The professor of Islamic Studies, editor of the Encyclopedia of Islam at Punjab University in Lahore, and fellow at UPenn discusses “The Ulama’s Repsonse to English and Western Education in South Asia from 1805-2002.”

That Girl in Yellow Boots @ Facets ADDED 12/15
Friday, December 16 – Thursday, December 22

The Chicago South Asian Film Festival and Facets Cinémathèque present a week of screenings of this Anurag Kashyap film.

Karttikeya, God of War Express Talk @ Art Institute
Tuesday, December 20 @ 12:00pm

The museum presents a series of half-hour talks on its most iconic artworks, today featuring Karttikeya, God of War, Seated on a Peacock (Ganga Period, c. 12^th century).

Pranita Jain @ Art Institute
Tuesday, December 27 – Friday, December 30

Kalapriya artistic director Pranita Jain leads a children’s storytelling program exploring movement, rhythm, and yoga for the museum’s holiday program.

Bhangratheque NYE Bash @ Cactus
Saturday, December 31 @ 9:00pm

DJ Jimmy Singh throws his annual New Year’s Eve party featuring DJ Krush and DJ Rice.

Bollywood NYE Chicago @ Rivers Lounge
Saturday, December 31 @ 9:00pm

Bollywood Chicago and the South Asian Professionals Alliance host their own themed New Year’s Eve party featuring DJs Aladdin, Skyy, J-Kon, and D-Stylz.

Apologies for not posting this earlier, dear readers. Sometimes life just gets in the way. I missed telling you about a good number of events in the first half of the month, but there’s still plenty to see and do in the next couple weeks.

As always, I’ll continue to update this post throughout the month. Send your events to info@sapac.org or leave a comment here.

Amar Kanwar @ School of the Art Insitute
Wednesday, November 16 – Thursday, November 17

The School and the Gene Siskel Film Center host Kanwar for a talk and screening of his films, which explore the politics of power, violence, sexuality, and justice.

Thibaut d’Hubert @ University of Chicago
Thursday, November 17 @ 4:30pm

The Assistant Professor of South Asian Languages and Civilizations at U of C discusses “Editing the Nūrnāmā of Md Shafi’: New Lights on Bengali Manuscripts in the Arabic Scripts” for the school’s South Asia Seminar program.

Rama Vaidyanatham & Chandrika Marla @ Skokie Public Library
Thursday, November 17 @ 7:00pm

Bharatanatyam dancer Vaidyanatham and Chicago-based visual artist Marla team up for a show and reception in Skokie.

Compassionate Care Banquet @ Monty’s Banquets, Bensenville
Friday, November 18 @ 6:00pm

Supporters come together to raise funds for this organization that conducts free health screenings around the Chicagoland area and offers reduced cost access to health care for the poor and uninsured.

Hamdard Center Benefit @ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Saturday, November 19 @ 6:00pm

ABC7’s Ravi Baichwal serves as MC for this annual event supporting Hamdard’s social service programs.

SAPAC’s Voices of Resistance 10: REVISION Performance Night is Saturday, October 15! Performance artist Kareem Khubchandani sat down for a very thoughtful interview about the need for this unique space for artist collaboration, how he’s seen 9/11 affect the South Asian community, and his first time committing his performance work to video:

Join us this Saturday to see Kareem’s video, along with new work from the rest of our talented VOR10 artists!

• VOR10: REVISION Performance Night

Saturday, October 15, 2011
7:00-9:00pm
Marwen, 833 N. Orleans St., Chicago
Admission: $10 advance / $15 at the door (18 & under FREE)

BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

SAPAC’s Voices of Resistance 10: REVISION Performance Night is only 2 days away! Here visual artist Hilesh Patel tells us about his experience collaborating with other South Asian artists and his creative process for VOR10:

Join us this Saturday to see Hilesh’s artwork, along with new work from the rest of our talented VOR10 artists!

• VOR10: REVISION Performance Night

Saturday, October 15, 2011
7:00-9:00pm
Marwen, 833 N. Orleans St., Chicago
Admission: $10 advance / $15 at the door (18 & under FREE)

BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

SAPAC’s Voices of Resistance 10: REVISION Performance Night is coming up on Saturday, October 15! Meet one of our performers, dancer Ahalya Satkunaratnam, as she reflects on the significance of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the new dance piece she created for VOR10:

Join us this Saturday to see Ahalya’s dance, along with new work from the rest of our talented VOR10 artists!

• VOR10: REVISION Performance Night

Saturday, October 15, 2011
7:00-9:00pm
Marwen, 833 N. Orleans St., Chicago
Admission: $10 advance / $15 at the door (18 & under FREE)

Last updated Oct. 18

I’m sitting on the couch with a cup of chai in one hand, a taffy apple in the other, and a fuzzy blanket covering me. Autumn is officially here. Enjoy my favorite season with some of these intriguing events…

• SAPAC’s Voices of Resistance 10: REVISION @ Marwen
  Saturday, October 15 @ 7:00pm

Be sure to come to the performance night of our 10th annual VOR, featuring new works by some amazing, talented local artists!

Be the Change @ Indo-American Center
Saturday, October 1 @ 9:00am

South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), one of our partner organizations, hosts its annual National Day of Service across the U.S. In Chicago volunteers will meet at the Indo-American Center and then branch off to volunteer sites around the city. This year’s keynote speakers include Amisha Patel, Ann Kalayil, Ameya Pawar, and Raja Krishnamoorthi.

Stride Against Violence @ Lincoln Park
Sunday, October 2 @ 8:00am

Apna Ghar hosts its 5th annual fun run/walk in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Mahatma Gandhi Birthday Celebration @ Lions Park, Hanover Park
Sunday, October 2 @ 1:30pm

The Gandhi-King Peace Center hosts a celebration honoring Gandhi’s 143rd birthday.

Hindustani Violin Concert @ University of Chicago
Sunday, October 2 @ 6:30pm

U of C’s Department of Music and Committee on Southern Asian Studies present violinist Vidya Dengle and tabla artist Manpreet Bedi in a concert for their South Asian Sound Interventions series. Dengle also leads a violin master class on Monday, October 3.

Journey to Healing Through the Arts @ Chicago Public Library, Budlong Woods Branch
Sunday, October 2 – Friday, October 21

Apna Ghar presents its annual exhibit of work created through its art therapy program for survivors of domestic abuse. AG hosts an opening reception Wednesday, October 5, 5-7:30pm.

Dwaipayan Sen @ University of Chicago
Monday, October 3 @ 8:00pm

U of C’s Social Theory Workshop presents the history PhD candidate in a talk titled “Representation, Education and Agrarian Reform: Jogendranath Mandal and the Nature of Scheduled Caste politics, 1937-1943.”

M. Salahuddin Khan @ American Islamic College ADDED 10/4
Tuesday, October 4 @ 6:00pm

The expert on U.S. relations with Afghanistan and Pakistan speaks and signs copies of his novel Sikander.

Mara Hvistendahl @ InterContinental Chicago
Wednesday, October 5 @ 7:30am

The correspondent for Science magazine discusses imbalanced sex-at-birth ratios in Asian countries including India for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Thom Shanker & Peter Tomsen @ The Chicago Club
Wednesday, October 5 @ 5:30pm

Shanker, a correspondent for The New York Times, covering the Pentagon, the military, and national security, and Tomsen, former Ambassador and U.S. Special Envoy on Afghanistan, discuss the effects of the 9/11 attacks on U.S. national security for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Gyan Prakash @ UIC ADDED 10/6
Thursday, October 6 @ 3:00pm

The Princeton University history professor and “urban archaeologist” discusses his journey writing Mumbai Fables.

Mrinalini Sinha @ University of Chicago
Thursday, October 6 @ 4:30pm

Sinha, a history and women’s studies professor at University of Michigan, presents a lecture titled “The Strange Death of an Imperial Ideal: The Case of Civis Britannicus” for the U of C’s Committee on Southern Asian Studies, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Culture Workshop, and Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality. The following day she leads a workshop called “Power: Empires, Colonies, and World History.”

Chicago International Film Festival @ AMC River East
Thursday, October 6 – Thursday, October 20

This year’s festival features a number of films from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, including a gala presentation of Indian film Mausam, with director Pankaj Kapoor in attendance, to launch the fest’s Spotlight South Asia program.

The Flowering Tree @ Harris Theater
Saturday, October 8 @ 7:30pm

Natya Dance Theatre presents the world premiere of its new show about respect for nature.

Anita Chandwaney @ Victory Gardens Biograph Theater
Sunday, October 9 @ 7:00pm

WBEZ hosts a program called “The Art of the Political: Can the Stage Be More Than Entertainment?” featuring local artists in a discussion of theater’s role in weaving politics and art together. The evening includes a showcase of new works by 3 playwrights of color, including Chandwaney’s Helpline.

Rohina Malik @ School of the Art Institute ADDED 10/11
Wednesday, October 12 @ 6:00pm

The Chicago-based playwright, actress, and solo performance artist presents a piece about 5 Muslim women in a post-9/11 world.

One Book One Chicago Reading @ Chicago Cultural Center ADDED 10/11
Thursday, October 13 @ 12:15pm

Every Thursday in October, actors from Lookingglass Theatre present thematically-linked readings from the last ten years of  “One Book, One Chicago,” celebrating the program’s 10-year anniversary. Today’s program includes readings from Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies and James Baldwin’s Go Tell It On The Mountain.

Nitasha Sharma @ Northwestern University ADDED 10/10
Thursday, October 13 @ 3:30pm

The professor of African American Studies and Asian American Studies celebrates the publication of her new book Hip Hop Desis: South Asian Americans, Blackness and Global Race Consciousness at the school’s main library in Evanston.

Sekhar Bandyopadhyay @ University of Chicago
Thursday, October 13 @ 4:30pm

The professor of Asian history at Victoria University of Wellington presents a lecture titled “Situating Dalit in the long history of Partition in Bengal 1946-2011″ for U of C’s South Asia Seminar Series.

NAPAWF Fall Mixer @ BIN 36 ADDED 10/4
Thursday, October 13 @ 6:30pm

The Chicago chapter of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum invites all to learn more about its work toward social justice and human rights for API women and girls. It’s a great group with some very active members from our API community.

Subcontinental Drift @ Penthouse above Quartino ADDED 10/4
Thursday, October 13 @ 7:30pm

Chicago’s South Asian open mic, as always, is free and open to all, including amateurs and professionals artists (as well as non-South-Asians!).

MC Chee Malabar & DJ Ali @ Northwestern University ADDED 10/4
Friday, October 14 @ 8:00pm

L.A.-based rapper Malabar and New York’s DJ Ali bring their Post-9/11 Brown Hip Hop Show to Evanston. Party with Chee on Friday, then check him out Saturday at our Voices of Resistance show!

Trikone-Chicago Ladies Night @ Joie De Vine ADDED 10/4
Friday, October 14 @ 8:00pm

Trikone hosts a ladies’ night out. Note that this is a women-only (trans inclusive) event.

SAPAC’s Voices of Resistance 10: REVISION @ Marwen
Saturday, October 15 @ 7:00pm

Join us for the performance night of our 10th annual VOR, featuring original works that address the impact of 9/11 both locally and globally.

Sur Sandhya @ McAninch Arts Center
Saturday, October 15 @ 7:00pm

Anila Sinha Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Chicago’s International House, presents a sarod concert with Ustad Aashish Khan.

India Development Coalition of America Conference @ IIT ADDED 10/15
Saturday, October 15 – Sunday, October 16

The two-day conference, focusing on how to eradicate poverty and mitigate climate change in India, features a number of speakers from India and the U.S.

Dalai Lama Documentary @ Loyola University ADDED 10/12
Monday, October 17 @ 6:15pm

The Tibet Center hosts a screening of a film on the Dalai Lama to commemorate the anniversary of his receiving the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. The Center will also provide some information on his upcoming Chicago visit on Thursday, April 26, 2012. At Quinlan Life Science Building, room 412 on Loyola’s Lake Shore campus (near Sheridan/Devon). Call (847) 492-0809 for more info.

Sharmili Majmudar @ Chicago Cultural Center ADDED 10/18
Wednesday, October 19 @ 1:00pm

The executive director of Rape Victim Advocates joins fellow activist Rachel Caidor for a Cafe Society talk titled “Slutwalk and the Face of Feminism in the 21st Century.”

Inshallah, Football Screening @ University of Chicago
Wednesday, October 19 @ 6:00pm

U of C’s Committee on Southern Asian Studies presents a screening of Inshallah, Football (which also plays at the Chicago International Film Festival) with director Ashwin Kumar at the International House.

Yasmin Nair @ DePaul University ADDED 10/12
Wednesday, October 19 @ 7:00pm

The scholar, writer, and activist joins Owen Daniel-McCarter, founding collective member and project attorney at Transformative Justice Law Project of Illinois, and Traci Schlesinger, sociology professor and activist, for a panel discussion called “Perspectives: Broadening the Conversation about Gendered Violence.”

Women’s Health Community Forum @ Zeenat Banquet Hall ADDED 10/12
Thursday, October 20 @ 11:00am

The Pink Pashmina Project, a partnership between Asian Health Coalition, Metropolitan Asian Family Services, and Muslim Women’s Resource Center, “is an innovative program to increase breast health awareness and encourage more South Asian and Muslim women to get mammograms.” Join them for this free event that includes info on free screenings and demonstrations in English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, and Gujarati.

Siddhartha Deb & Aatish Taseer @ Blackstone Hotel ADDED 10/12
Thursday, October 20 @ 5:30pm

Deb, an author and professor at The New School, and Taseer, an author and journalist, present “A New India, Old Problems?” for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. They will discuss “how instability in the region, economic concerns, and growing problems with corruption, among other challenges, impact India and its neighbor, Pakistan, as a newly activated political class emerges.”

Ami Saraiya & The Outcome @ Logan Square Auditorium ADDED 10/4
Thursday, October 20 @ 8:00pm

Local artist Saraiya joins Chicago’s favorite “circus-punk marching band” Mucca Pazza and Fandanguero for a Halloween Shakedown to support the Logan Square Neighborhood Association.

Diwali Celebration @ Art Institute
Friday, October 21 @ 7:30pm

The museum hosts this benefit to support its programming and outreach associated with Indian art.

Takeover Tour @ Copernicus Theater
Friday, October 21 @ 8:30pm

Hip-hop/dance artists Imran Khan, Hard Kaur, Culture Shock, Sunny Brown, Lomaticc, Baba Khan, H-Dhami, and DJ Kamran perform on the far northwest side of Chicago.

Aakash Mittal @ Elastic Arts ADDED 10/9
Friday, October 21 @ 9:00pm

The 16th annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival brings Mittal to town for a show with Tatsu Aoki’s Shamisen Jazz Venture featuring Francis Wong.

How to Avoid Common Pitfalls in Citizenship Applications @ Indo-American Center
Saturday, October 22

Immigration attorney Dhenu Savla presents a free seminar at IAC.

Prashant Bhushan @ Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood ADDED 10/11
Saturday, October 22 @ 10:00am

Lawyer and social activist Bhushan gives a talk titled “Reshaping India’s Future: an Anti-Corruption Jan Lokpal Bill,” first at Loyola, and then at Roosevelt University’s Chicago campus at 2:00pm.

Go Garba with Devang Patel Vinod Rathod @ Bolingbrook High School UPDATED 10/18
Saturday, October 22 @ 7:00pm

Vaishnav Samaj Midwest presents a garba with live singers and orchestra and prizes for the best dancers.

Bhangratheque Diwali Night @ Dragonfly ADDED 10/4
Saturday, October 22 @ 9:00pm

DJs Jimmy Singh, RAV-E, and KRUSH provide the music for Bhangratheque’s latest club night.

Aneek & Anwesha @ Elgin High School ADDED 10/18
Sunday, October 23 @ 3:30pm

The winners of Indian TV singing competition “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa” perform in Elgin.

Amitav Ghosh @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/12
Sunday, October 23 @ 4:00pm

Ghosh discusses the process of writing his new novel River of Smoke with journalist Victoria Lautman for the Chicago Humanities Festival.

Trikone-Chicago Book Club Meeting @ TBD ADDED 10/4
Sunday, October 23 @ 5:00pm

Join book club members in a discussion of Shyam Selvadurai’s Funny Boy, winner of the Lambda Literary Award and Books in Canada First Novel Award.

Indian Classical Music Concert @ Chinmaya Mission
Sunday, October 23 @ 5:30pm

Chinmaya Mission Chicago presents a concert of North and South Indian classical music featuring Padma Vibhushan Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna & Grammy nominee Pandit Ronu Majumdar.

Kalapriya Dance @ Hamdard Center
Tuesday, October 25

The company’s dancers give a Diwali performance at Hamdard.

IACS Job Fair @ Navy Pier
Thursday, October 27 @ 10:00am

Indo-American Community Services hosts its 2nd annual job fair for students and professionals in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields.

The Many Worlds of Rabindranath Tagore @ University of Chicago
Thursday, October 27 – Friday, October 28

This 2-day conference “brings together leading scholars from around the world to discuss the different aspects of this extraordinary writer’s life and works.”

Husain Haqqani @ The Chicago Club
Friday, October 28 @ 12:00pm

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States discusses Pakistan’s future and his vision for U.S.-Pakistan relations for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Tibetan Art Talk @ Art Institute
Friday, October 28 @ 2:00pm

Follow a museum education lecturer on an introductory tour through the museum’s collection in this gallery talk.

Friends of Abid Ali Dinner @ Ashyana Banquets, Downers Grove ADDED 10/18
Friday, October 28 @ 8:00pm

Indian singer Poonam Bhatia performs at this gala honoring cricket legend Ali. For more info, call Ariff Ahmed at (630) 737-0298.

Jai Ho(rror)! @ Big Chicks ADDED 10/4
Friday, October 28 @ 10:00pm

Trikone-Chicago’s bimonthly dance party/fundraiser is back with its annual Halloween bash and, once again, an incomparable poster:

Building Bridges of Peace Conference @ Hilton Chicago
Friday, October 28 – Saturday, October 29

The Central Asia Institute’s conference features notable speakers including writer Bapsi Sidhwa and actor/activist Faran Tahir.

Diwali Family Celebration @ Art Institute
Saturday, October 29 @ 10:30am

The museum hosts a family festival that includes activities inspired by Indian traditions and workshops led by Kalapriya Dance.

Occupy Chicago Teach-Ins
Throughout October

Though it’s not specifically desi-related, I thought I’d include the numerous teach-ins and discussion groups occurring at the Occupy Chicago demonstrations. They sound like a great opportunity to learn about social and economic justice from local activists and scholars.