<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>South Asian Progressive Action Collective &#187; Arts</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/tag/arts/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.sapac.org/blog</link>
	<description>South Asian Voices from the Midwest</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:01:38 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2</generator>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
			<item>
		<title>Desispotting: September 2010</title>
		<link>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/08/24/desispotting-september-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/08/24/desispotting-september-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:23:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ramona</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Arts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SAPAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chicago]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Asian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Voices of Resistance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zakir Hussain]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.sapac.org/blog/?p=604</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last updated Aug. 30
I&#8217;m posting this a few days early to make up for not doing an August entry and to remind you to buy your tickets for VOICES OF RESISTANCE!
Voices of Resistance 9: Fair and Lovely @ Old Town School of Folk Music
Sunday, September 12 @ 6:00pm


Join SAPAC for our 9th annual political/performing arts [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Last updated Aug. 30</em></p>
<p>I&#8217;m posting this a few days early to make up for not doing an August entry and to remind you to <strong>buy your tickets for</strong> <strong>VOICES OF RESISTANCE!</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/08/08/voices-of-resistance-9-tickets-now-on-sale/">Voices of Resistance 9: Fair and Lovely @ Old Town School of Folk Music</a><br />
Sunday, September 12 @ 6:00pm</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/08/08/voices-of-resistance-9-tickets-now-on-sale/"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-557" title="fair and lovely flyer " src="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/fair-and-lovely-flyer-dark-brown-JPEG-269x300.jpg" alt="Voices of Resistance 9: Fair and Lovely" width="269" height="300" /></a><br />
</strong></p>
<p>Join SAPAC for our 9th annual political/performing arts showcase! This year’s  theme, Fair and Lovely, elicits many images and responses, including  complexities of  identity; the divisions within us, our families,  communities and beyond;  historic and contemporary understandings of  beauty; privilege within  our communities; and the struggles for  acceptance and compassion in our  lives. VOR  9: Fair and Lovely promises to be an entertaining, inspiring and   informative evening, continuing the tradition of showcasing fine South   Asian talent! <a href="http://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2010/9/12_voices.html">Buy your tickets today!</a></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/08/30/sapac-presents-dr-subba-rao-sept-2/">SAPAC presents Dr. Subba Rao @ Hamdard Center</a> ADDED 8/26<br />
Thursday, September 2 @ 6:30pm</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/07/stories/2006110716401400.htm">Dr. S.N. Subba Rao</a>, a fellow of <a href="http://www.gpfindia.org">Gandhi Peace Foundation</a> and founder of <a href="http://nypindia.org/">National Youth Project</a>, gives a talk at the Devon office of the Hamdard Center.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.chipublib.org/events/details/id/48338/">Anjal Chande @ Harold Washington Library</a> ADDED 8/30<br />
Wednesday, September 1 @ 12:15pm</strong></p>
<p>Bharatanatyam dancer Chande performs and discusses using dance in storytelling.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.artic.edu/aic/exhibitions/exhibition/kallat">Jitish Kallat @ Art Institute of Chicago</a><br />
Saturday, September 11 &#8211; January 2, 2011</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.artic.edu/aic/exhibitions/exhibition/kallat"><img class="alignnone" title="Jatish Kallat artwork" src="http://www.artic.edu/aic/exhibitions/images/exhb_lg/Jitish_lg.jpg" alt="Jatish Kallat artwork" width="218" height="290" /></a><br />
</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;September 11&#8211;today the date alone refers to the unforgettable events of 2001, the terrorist attacks at the World Trade  Center and the Pentagon. Yet, 108 years earlier in 1893, this date was marked by a very different occasion, the landmark speech by Swami Vivekananda at the First World Parliament of Religions promoting religious tolerance. Internationally renowned Indian artist Jitish Kallat draws attention to the great chasm between these two events with his site-specific installation, Public Notice 3,&#8221; opening September 11.</p>
<p>Kallat gives an introductory lecture on the exhibit at 6:00pm on Friday, September 10. At 9:00pm the same night, the museum hosts an After Dark event featuring tours of its Indian and Southeast Asian art collections, a set by DJ Madrid, and performances by theater collective Collaboraction.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=149348305092420&amp;ref=ts">Subcontinental Drift @ Delicious</a><br />
Thursday, September 16 @ 7:00pm</strong></p>
<p>The 3rd installment of this South Asian open mic moves to River North for the downtown working crowd. Comedian Saurin Choksi emcees, and a desi DJ spins after the show.</p>
<p><span id="more-604"></span></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.ramayanainstitute.com/Ramayana/Home.html">3rd International Ramayana Conference @ Northern Illinois University</a><br />
Saturday, September 18 &#8211; Sunday, September 19<br />
</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.ramayanainstitute.com/Ramayana/Home.html"><img class="alignnone" title="Ramayana Institute flyer" src="http://www.ramayanainstitute.com/Ramayana/Home_files/shapeimage_3.png" alt="3rd Annual International Ramayana Institute" width="225" height="291" /></a></p>
<p>NIU, the University of Illinois, and the International Ramayana Institute of North America co-sponsor this annual academic conference.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://millenniumpark.org/parkevents/event.aspx?id=1179">India Calling! @ Various venues</a><br />
Tuesday, September 21 &#8211; Thursday, September 23</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/dca_tourism/WMF_MP092110.html"><img class="alignnone" title="Zakir Hussain" src="http://www.explorechicago.org/etc/medialib/explore_chicago/dca_tourism/wmf_2010_primary_images.Par.6349.Image.0.0.1.jpg" alt="Zakir Hussain - India Calling! Festival" width="318" height="150" /></a><br />
</strong></p>
<p>This year&#8217;s edition of the venerable World Music Festival kicks off with India Calling!, a free 3-day festival featuring music and dance performances, an exhibit of photographs by Steve McCurry and paintings by Paresh Maity, yoga and meditation classes, films, artisans from rural villages of India, and more. Events take place at Millennium Park, the Chicago Tourism Center, and the Chicago Cultural Center.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/dca_tourism/WMF_MP092110.html">opening night concert</a> at Millennium Park&#8217;s Pritzker Pavilion features tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain and Bharatanatyam dancers Mythili Prakash and Ensemble.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/dca_tourism/WMF_MP092110.html">September 21 schedule</a><br />
<a href="http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/dca_tourism/WMF_CCC092110.html">September 22 schedule</a><br />
<a href="http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/dca_tourism/WMF_CCCindia092310.html">September 23 schedule</a></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; color: #000000; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140132506017832&amp;ref=ts">Delhi 2 Dublin &amp; Red Baraat @ Darkroom</a><br />
Friday, September 24 @ 9:00pm</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140132506017832&amp;ref=ts"><img class="alignnone" title="Delhi 2 Dublin" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs169.snc4/37773_10150239529620591_506665590_13976195_3219114_n.jpg" alt="Delhi 2 Dublin" width="219" height="175" /> </a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140132506017832&amp;ref=ts"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-613" title="Red Baraat" src="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/redbaraat-290x300.jpg" alt="Red Baraat" width="168" height="175" /></a><br />
</strong></p>
<p>World Music Festival Chicago and Bhangratheque present a night of bhangra music with Vancouver-based 5-piece Delhi 2 Dublin and dhol &#8216;n&#8217; brass band Red Baraat. Includes a set by DJ Jimmy Singh and bhangra dance lessons by Ajanta.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.ci.schaumburg.il.us/PCA/PrairieCenter/Pages/default.aspx">Geetakshari @ Prairie Center for the Arts</a><br />
Sunday, September 25 @ 7:00pm</strong></p>
<p>Navarang presents this musical contest for fans of Bollywood. Teams of 2 will be auditioned Sept. 12, 1-4pm, at Schaumburg&#8217;s Prairie Center, and finalists will compete for prizes of $200-400 on Sept. 25. Contact navarangentertainment@gmail.com, 630-980-9870, or 630-881-0757 for more info.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.poets.org/viewevent.php/prmEventID/9213">Jaswinder Bolina @ Sherwood Conservatory</a><br />
Wednesday, September 29 @ 5:30pm</strong></p>
<p>Bolina, the 2010-11 Liberal Arts and Sciences Emerging Poet-in-Residence at Columbia College Chicago, joins felow poet Becca Klaver for a fall reading.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/08/24/desispotting-september-2010/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Voices of Resistance 9 &#8211; Tickets Now on Sale!</title>
		<link>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/08/08/voices-of-resistance-9-tickets-now-on-sale/</link>
		<comments>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/08/08/voices-of-resistance-9-tickets-now-on-sale/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Aug 2010 02:15:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>SAPAC</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Arts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SAPAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chicago]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Asian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Voices of Resistance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.sapac.org/blog/?p=569</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The South Asian Progressive Action Collective invites you to join us for
.


Voices of Resistance 9: Fair and Lovely
Sunday, September 12, 2010
6:00 &#8211; 8:00pm
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
$15 General Public/$13 Old Town School Members/$11 Seniors &#38; Children
In  its ninth year, Voices of Resistance (VOR) seeks to create [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1>The South Asian Progressive Action Collective invites you to join us for</h1>
<p>.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a href="http://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2010/9/12_voices.html"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-685" title="VOR9flyer" src="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/VOR9flyer1-667x1024.jpg" alt="SAPAC presents Voices of Resistance 9: Fair and Lovely" width="542" height="829" /></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">
<p><strong>Voices of Resistance 9: Fair and Lovely</strong><br />
Sunday, September 12, 2010<br />
6:00 &#8211; 8:00pm<br />
Old Town School of Folk Music<br />
4544 N. Lincoln Ave.<br />
Chicago, IL</p>
<p><a href="http://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2010/9/12_voices.html" target="_self"><strong>BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!</strong></a><br />
$15 General Public/$13 Old Town School Members/$11 Seniors &amp; Children</p>
<p>In  its ninth year, Voices of Resistance (VOR) seeks to create a space for  South Asian artists to use their art as a powerful means of social  commentary that empowers and transforms.</p>
<p>Our event last year at  Old Town School of Folk Music was a great success, with over 300  attendees. This year we look forward to continuing the tradition of  politically conscious art with a show that speaks to our VOR9 theme of  Fair &amp; Lovely. This year’s  theme elicits many images and responses, including complexities of  identity; the divisions within us, our families, communities and beyond;  historic and contemporary understandings of beauty; privilege within  our communities; and the struggles for acceptance and compassion in our  lives.</p>
<p>VOR  9: Fair and Lovely promises to be an entertaining, inspiring and  informative evening, continuing the tradition of showcasing fine South  Asian talent! Spread the word!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/08/08/voices-of-resistance-9-tickets-now-on-sale/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Today, I bought Fair and Lovely</title>
		<link>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/08/01/today-i-bought-fair-and-lovely/</link>
		<comments>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/08/01/today-i-bought-fair-and-lovely/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:12:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>ahalya</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[50th Ward-West Ridge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chicago Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gender]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SAPAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chicago]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fair and Lovely]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Racism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[South Asian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Voices of Resistance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.sapac.org/blog/?p=539</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Okay, it only was for the sake of designing a flyer for the upcoming Voices of Resistance [1], but nevertheless, today, July 27, 2010, I bought myself the smallest tube available of Fair and Lovely in Chicago,  Illinois.
Pulling up onto Artesia, I see Devon ahead of me. It’s literally been years since I walked [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/VOR9flyer1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-685 alignright" title="VOR9flyer" src="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/VOR9flyer1-195x300.jpg" alt="SAPAC presents Voices of Resistance 9: Fair and Lovely" width="195" height="300" /></a></p>
<p>Okay, it only was for the sake of designing a flyer for the upcoming <a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/05/16/are-you-fair-lovely" target="_self">Voices of Resistance</a> <a href="#_ftn1">[1]</a>, but nevertheless, today, July 27, 2010, I bought myself the smallest tube available of Fair and Lovely in Chicago,  Illinois.</p>
<p>Pulling up onto Artesia, I see Devon ahead of me. It’s literally been years since I walked the streets. A life in California, India, and Sri   Lanka has separated us, but it’s still recognizable&#8211;a part of my previous Chicago existence. I find the last spot in Daley’s still-new-piss-me-off-disaster-deal-with-the-devil-parking-meter-on-side-streets-money-making-money-taking parking. I dig up some quarters. Holding enough to peruse the store in my hand, I walk up to the paying machine. “No payment necessary!” it says. &#8220;This is how King Daley makes us passive,&#8221; I think.  I return the prized quarters to the car coffer and pick up my bag, packed with camera. I am prepared to take photos of the whitening agent on the shelves of Devon.</p>
<p>I exit my car with hoodie on. It’s warm and humid today, so I’m wearing a slim tank I received free for volunteering my services at a beer tent in one of the many neighborhood summer festivals of Chicago. But I rather cover my assets with my grey hoodie as I walk these streets. It’s all part of the performance, a follow up on the phone conversation I had with one of the Patel Brothers supermarket employees earlier, after which my roommate commented on the subtle and surprising South Asian accent in my English. “I don’t need any trouble on this mission,” I think, &#8220;nor anymore undesired and uninvited looks.&#8221; I’m performing good Indian girl, the one that’s not noticed.</p>
<p>I walk a few blocks, noticing the red paan stains on the sidewalks. People are here, ready to purchase and consume. Each restaurant has customers, at least one table full, smiling and conversing. I’m glad that business continues on these northern streets of Chicago. In spite of the parking, in spite of the heat, in spite of many things that come with life in Daley city, Blagojevich state, BP America.</p>
<p>The marker of the Patel Brothers empire is a new Patel Brothers-named juice stand that coincides with the territory of “Ghandi Marg.” Lime-mint drinks. Mango drinks. And young coconut water. Mmm. But I know these versions don’t come close to the tastes of the homeland, so I resist, instead continuing toward the Patel Brothers supermarket. The mission is ahead of me. As I walk the block, I notice a beautiful, dark complected South Asian woman. I want to ask her if I can take her photo.</p>
<p><span id="more-539"></span></p>
<p>It’s a desire aroused after an entire afternoon of searching the web/oracle for South Asian faces to include in my promotional piece for Voices of Resistance. That search was frustrating. I was typing in search terms like “South Asian women.” After each entry, I closed my eyes firmly, nervous about finding nasty, exoticizing porn sites on the top of the list. I must say, there were a few of them. The other non-pornographic images felt like random representations of South Asianness and brownness. I needed to find a way that the images would be mine, a result of my own choices. But I didn’t have the nerve to approach her. “I don’t need to attract attention here,” I think. I walk into the supermarket a few short steps away.</p>
<p>Immediately upon entering the market I see the multiple cosmetic items, shampoos, and herbal oils. No Fair and Lovely there. Instead, the whitening agent is in its own area, directly in front of the checkout counters. You know, it’s the area for last-minute-I need-this items. Typically these product spots cater to the stomach with smaller prepackaged savories and sweets, but not here at the Patel Brothers supermarket. This high-profile spot is where the whitening potions are displayed, several shelves full of whitening soaps, scar creams, and plain old make-your-complexion-lighter concoctions. This is the first time I’m standing face to face with this product: Fair and Lovely. I’ve never looked at its box. I&#8217;ve never touched it with my hands. It is cheap. The smallest tube is $1.99. But I just want to take a photo of the carton. I mean, I try to vote with my dollar as much as I can—which means I am boycotting all China-made greeting cards and most made-in-China products if I can afford another import. Life practices create change, I believe. But here I am, directly in front of the cash registers, each armed by a two-person team of cashier and bagger.  I can’t see a way of taking these photos stealthily. “I must purchase the item,” I think. “I must offer my cash toward an industry that finds my skin color not lovely, not fair.” It’s a system that equates darkness with sadness, depression, depravity, and ugliness. I will be spending two dollars toward that system. And I feel horrible about it. But I try to chuckle at the absurdity as I approach the cash register with the dollar bills in my hand.</p>
<p>I don’t look at the box too much, just glancing at the peculiarly tiny yet very familiar dark/sad, light/happy faces of the model below the name. It’s a white box with gradients of light rose pink all over. The sweet font of Fair and Lovely in a dark rose and silver is delicate, light, thin, slender, unimposing, yet at the same time, present in its assertion of goodness. A thick band of pink divides the box horizontally with the word “multivitamin” under which is a graphic of a rose-pink capsule which is split to release nourishing drops of oily-pink goodness. The description of the product is “TOTAL FAIRNESS CREAM.” It is in all caps. Under this declaration is, in small font, an arrow that points me to a “Fairness meter” on the side of the box. A meter in which shades of ugly to fair are displayed. I place my hand next to it. &#8220;13&#8243; is too light. But the color of my hand falls between &#8220;14&#8243; and &#8220;18&#8243;; I cannot tell which to be exact. There is a &#8220;1&#8243;&#8211;the ultimate fair. And there is a &#8220;26.&#8221; The meter informs the consumer that “numbers are only for easy identification of skin color.”</p>
<p>I hand the cashier my two dollars&#8211;two dollars and eighteen cents to be exact. I give her my cherished quarter from which she gives me seven cents change. The other lady places the box in a thin black plastic bag. “I don’t need a bag,” I inform her. She chuckles as I take the box out of the bag and think of the absurdity of the cream in my hand. I place it in my reusable tote that’s morphed into my summer handbag. Life is full of contradictions.</p>
<hr size="1" /><a href="#_ftnref1">[1]</a> I’m going to use footnotes in this entry&#8211;why not? Voices of Resistance 9: Fair and Lovely is the 9<sup>th</sup> annual arts showcase organized by the South Asian Progressive Action Collective. VOR features works from an array of visual and performance artists who address political issues in South Asia and among the South Asian diaspora. For more info, check out our <a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/05/16/are-you-fair-lovely" target="_self">Call for Artists</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/08/01/today-i-bought-fair-and-lovely/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>VOR SUBMISSIONS DUE JULY 31!!!</title>
		<link>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/07/30/vor-submissions-due-july-31/</link>
		<comments>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/07/30/vor-submissions-due-july-31/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:42:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>ahalya</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Arts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SAPAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chicago]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Voices of Resistance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.sapac.org/blog/?p=533</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Dear SAPAC lovers:
July 31 is the deadline to submit an application to perform/participate  in this year&#8217;s VOR: FAIR AND LOVELY!  Please forward the call to your  friends/colleagues who may be interested in participating. We are  specifically looking for proposals from visual artists and dancers&#8211;so  network away, folks, and help this [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear SAPAC lovers:</p>
<p>July 31 is the deadline to submit an application to perform/participate  in this year&#8217;s VOR: FAIR AND LOVELY!  Please forward the call to your  friends/colleagues who may be interested in participating. We are  specifically looking for proposals from visual artists and dancers&#8211;so  network away, folks, and help this year&#8217;s VOR committee!</p>
<p>Please direct your friends/potential applicants/artists extraordinaire  to the following address where they can find info and our Call for  Artists:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/05/16/are-you-fair-lovely/">http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/05/16/are-you-fair-lovely/</a></p>
<p>Thanks so much for all of your help! We look forward to receiving your  submissions!</p>
<p>Best,<br />
SAPAC and the VOR committee</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/07/30/vor-submissions-due-july-31/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Desispotting: June 2010</title>
		<link>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/06/03/desispotting-june-2010/</link>
		<comments>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/06/03/desispotting-june-2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Jun 2010 03:51:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ramona</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Arts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SAPAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aziz Ansari]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Comedy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Funkadesi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Russell Peters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Voices of Resistance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.sapac.org/blog/?p=357</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Desis starting off the summer right&#8230;
Human Rights Watch Film Festival @ Facets
Thursday, June 3 &#8211; June 10
Highlights include The Oath (6/3 @ Museum of Contemporary Art), Burma VJ (6/4, 6/10), and Afghan Star (6/5, 6/6). Check the website for full screening info.
DhakFu @ Millennium Park
Saturday, June 5, 12 &#38; 19 @ 8:00am
SAPACer Fuad Ahmad, AKA [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Desis starting off the summer right&#8230;</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.facets.org/pages/cinematheque/films/june2010/hrw_10.php" target="_blank">Human Rights Watch Film Festival @ Facets</a></strong><br />
<strong>Thursday, June 3 &#8211; June 10</strong></p>
<p>Highlights include <em>The Oath</em> (6/3 @ Museum of Contemporary Art), <em>Burma VJ </em>(6/4, 6/10), and <em>Afghan Star</em> (6/5, 6/6). Check the website for full screening info.</p>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 260px"><img title="Afghan Star" src="http://www.facets.org/pages/cinematheque/pics/humanrights/afghanstar.jpg" alt="Afghan Star" width="250" height="175" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Afghan Star</p></div>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.millenniumpark.org/parkevents/event.aspx?id=1101" target="_blank">DhakFu @ Millennium Park</a></strong><br />
<strong>Saturday, June 5, 12 &amp; 19 @ 8:00am</strong></p>
<p>SAPACer Fuad Ahmad, AKA DhakFu, provides live music for Moksha Yoga&#8217;s summer classes (led by his partner, Becky Raines) on the Great Lawn of the Pritzker Pavilion.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.artic.edu/aic/calendar/event?EventID=7585&amp;Month=6_2010&amp;Day=08" target="_blank">Ramu Ramdev @ Art Institute</a> ADDED 6/7<br />
Sunday, June 6 &#8211; Saturday, June 12</strong></p>
<p>Ramdev, a master miniature artist from Jaipur, will be in residence at the museum for a week and host demonstrations and classes for visitors.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://amisaraiya.com/home" target="_blank">Ami Saraiya @ Martyrs</a></strong><br />
<strong>Wednesday, June 9 @ 8:00pm</strong></p>
<p>Singer-songwriter Ami Saraiya was named one of <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/Playlist/314" target="_blank">CD Baby&#8217;s Top 10 Indie Artists to Watch in 2010</a>. On this night, she performs on a bill with a Tom Waits tribute band (performing <em>Frank&#8217;s Wild Years</em> in its entirety!!) and Rob Wilson.</p>
<p><span id="more-357"></span></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://funkadesi.com/" target="_blank">Funkadesi @ Andersonville Midsommarfest</a> </strong><strong>ADDED 6/4</strong><br />
<strong>Saturday, June 12 @ 7:00pm</strong></p>
<p>SAPAC favorites Funkadesi headline the first night of Midsommarfest at Balmoral and Clark. My favorite testimonial on their website comes from President Obama: &#8220;Funkadesi really knows how to get a crowd going. I can&#8217;t say enough how energizing this band is. There&#8217;s a lot of funk in that desi!&#8221; You can also catch the band on 6/19 at <a href="http://streets2010.com/" target="_blank">Takin&#8217; It to the Streets</a>, 6/20 at <a href="http://starevents.com/chicago-events2/taste-of-randolph/" target="_blank">Taste of Randolph</a>, and 6/22 at Loyola University&#8217;s <a href="http://wrdchicago.org/2009.html" target="_blank">World Refugee Day</a> celebration.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.dhrishtimedia.com/latest_event2.htm" target="_blank">Hindustani Classical Music @ Meadows Club</a><br />
Sunday, June 13 @ 6:00pm</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #542310; font-size: x-small;">Pandit  Jasraj, Pandita Tripti Mukherjee, Pandit Samir Chatterjee, and  Pandit Suman Ghosh perform at the Rolling Meadows banquet hall.<br />
</span></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://thebookstall.com/" target="_blank">Hemanta Mishra @ The Book Stall</a></strong><br />
<strong>Monday, June 14 @ 7:00pm</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;Mishra, distinguished  biologist and conservationist and author of the award-winning <em>The Soul  of the Rhino</em>, talks about <em><a href="http://bookstall.indiebound.com/node/1561">Bones of the Tiger</a></em>,  a fascinating story of one man’s quest to save the man-eating tigers of  Nepal.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/_programsevents/_kitchen/_rethinkingsoup/rethinkingsoup.html" target="_blank">Anoop Jain @ Jane Addams Hull-House Museum</a><br />
Tuesday, June 15 @ 12:00pm</strong></p>
<p>Jain joins Hull-House Museum&#8217;s weekly Re-Thinking Soup program to discuss The Community Kitchen Project, which will help provide free, nutritious, and traditional meals to Tibetan  refugees.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.justforlaughschicago.com/justforlaughschicago/stories/story/0,,212129,00.html" target="_blank">Aziz Ansari @ Vic Theatre</a></strong><br />
<strong>Wednesday, June 16 &amp; Thursday, June 17 @ 7 &amp; 9:30pm</strong></p>
<p>As if we needed to remind you that Ansari brings his Dangerously Delicious Tour to the second Just for Laughs comedy festival in Chicago. Have you heard he&#8217;s also hosting the MTV Movie Awards on June 6? I hear that gig can be good for your career.</p>
<p><strong>Ashok Lal @ Hinsdale Community Center<br />
Thursday, June 17 @ 6:30pm</strong></p>
<p>Accompanied by Pandit Rakesh Sharma on tabla, Lal presents some of his own compositions along with some popular ghazals.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://no-coast.org/" target="_blank">Megha Gupta @ No Coast</a> ADDED 6/25<br />
Friday, June 18 &#8211; Friday, July 9</strong></p>
<p><em>Visions from the Burned  Forest: New Works on Paper by Megha Gupta</em> opened at No Coast Exhibitions  and Editions on June 18, but the show is on view until July 9.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.arrahmanlive.com/concert/" target="_blank">A.R. Rahman @ Sears Centre</a><br />
Friday, June 18 @ 8:00pm<br />
</strong></p>
<p>Rahman brings his Jai Ho: The Journey Home World Tour to Hoffman Estates&#8217;  Sears Centre.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.justforlaughschicago.com/justforlaughschicago/stories/story/0,,220665,00.html" target="_blank">Sonny Bhatt @ Jokes and Notes</a></strong><br />
<strong>Friday, June 18 @ 8:30pm</strong></p>
<p>But wait! Ansari isn&#8217;t the only desi participating in Just for Laughs! Local comedian Bhatt performs as part of a showcase of breakout performers.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.balaji.org" target="_blank">Gundecha Brothers @ Sri Balaji Temple</a><br />
Saturday, June 18 @ 6:00pm</strong></p>
<p>Umakant, Ramakant and Akhilesh Gundecha are  prominent performers and teachers of the ancient classical vocal music  of India called Dhrupad.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.justforlaughschicago.com/justforlaughschicago/stories/story/0,,219263,00.html" target="_blank">Stir Friday Night! @ Studio BE</a></strong><br />
<strong>Saturday, June 19 @ 7:00pm</strong></p>
<p>Chicago&#8217;s favorite Asian American sketch comedy troupe shows off its skills in Just for Laughs&#8217; Sketch-travaganza night. Less fortunate: the theme for its time slot is &#8220;Diversity&#8221;; other gems include &#8220;Ladies&#8221; and &#8220;?!?&#8221; Not exactly the creative titles one might expect from the organizers of a <em>comedy</em> festival. Still, it promises to be a fun night.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.justforlaughschicago.com/justforlaughschicago/stories/story/0,,171878,00.html" target="_blank">Russell Peters @ Rosemont Theatre</a></strong><br />
<strong>Saturday, June 19 @ 8:00pm</strong></p>
<p>The last desi entry in the Just for Laughs festival, and a pretty good one to boot.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.bhangratheque.com/index.htm" target="_blank">DJs Jimmy Love &amp; Jimmy Singh @ Funky Buddha Lounge</a> ADDED 6/23<br />
Friday, June 25 @ 9:00pm</strong></p>
<p>The popular DJs spin for a Bhangratheque night at FBL.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/05/16/are-you-fair-lovely/" target="_self">Voices of Resistance 9 Deadline for Entry!</a></strong><br />
<strong>Wednesday, June 30</strong></p>
<p>Are you a South Asian  artist looking for a platform to showcase your   work? Then check out the Call for Artists for Voices of Resistance,  SAPAC&#8217;s 9th annual political/performing arts showcase, to be held  September 12 at the Old Town School of Folk Music. <a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/05/16/are-you-fair-lovely/" target="_self">Get the details here</a>.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.myspace.com/shilpabavikatte" target="_blank">Shilpa Bavikatte @ St. Andrews Inn</a></strong><br />
<strong>Sunday nights @ 7:00pm</strong></p>
<p>SAPACer and chanteuse Bavikatte performs as part of her new Sunday night residency at the Edgewater pub-slash-comfort-food-haven.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/06/03/desispotting-june-2010/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Are You Fair &amp; Lovely?</title>
		<link>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/05/16/are-you-fair-lovely/</link>
		<comments>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/05/16/are-you-fair-lovely/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 16 May 2010 18:20:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>SAPAC</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Arts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SAPAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chicago]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.sapac.org/blog/?p=320</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you a Voice of Resistance?
CALL FOR ARTISTS FOR SAPAC&#8217;S ANNUAL ARTS SHOW
VOR9 Artist Application (Entry Deadline extended: July 31, 2010!)
Are you a South Asian  artist looking for a platform to showcase your work? Does your work  touch on the uniqueness of the South Asian  American experience? The South Asian Progressive Action [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em><strong>Are you a Voice of Resistance?</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>CALL FOR ARTISTS FOR SAPAC&#8217;S ANNUAL ARTS SHOW</strong><a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/VOR_9_Call_for_Entry.doc"></a></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/VOR_9_Call_for_Entry.doc">VOR9 Artist Application</a></strong> <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>(Entry Deadline extended: </strong><strong>July 31, 2010!)</strong></span></p>
<p>Are you a South Asian  artist looking for a platform to showcase your work? Does your work  touch on the uniqueness of the South Asian  American experience? The South Asian Progressive Action Collective  (SAPAC) is pleased to announce our <strong>9th annual Voices  of Resistance, to be  held at Old Town School of Folk Music on Sunday,  September 12, 2010</strong>, and we are seeking your participation. We are  excited to curate an evening of performance and  art that touches upon a theme that is close to and familiar among our  community: <strong>Fair &amp; Lovely</strong>. We want to hear your voice and  experience!</p>
<p>In its ninth year, Voices of Resistance  (VOR) seeks to create a space for South Asian artists to use their art  as a powerful means of social commentary that  empowers and transforms.</p>
<p><img src="/DOCUME%7E1/asharma/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.png" alt="" /></p>
<div id="attachment_322" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 247px"><a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/VOR8Poster.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-322" src="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/VOR8Poster-237x300.jpg" alt="" width="237" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Voices of Resistance 8 Poster</p></div>
<p>Our event last year at Old Town  School of Folk Music was a great success,  with over 300 attendees and featuring D&#8217;Lo, an internationally renowned performance and spoken word  artist.</p>
<p>This year we look forward to continuing the  tradition of politically conscious art with a  show that speaks to our VOR9 theme of <em>Fair  &amp; Lovely</em>. This year&#8217;s theme elicits many images and responses,  including complexities of identity; the  divisions within us, our families, communities and beyond; historic and  contemporary understandings of beauty; privilege  within our communities; and the struggles for  acceptance and compassion in our lives. We are seeking submissions that  address these ideas. Submissions can include lighthearted ruminations on  colorism and love, or treatises on the global phenomenon of  white supremacy. Above all, we want to hear your voice!</p>
<p>Our venue includes  space for video screenings, visual art, skits, dances, and installation  work in addition to our evening of spoken and  musical performances by South Asian artists. However, we  ask that all <strong>works be between 3-5 minutes in length</strong>.  Artists will not be compensated financially for their work but will  receive publicity for their work through SAPAC and Old Town  School of Folk Music.</p>
<p>SAPAC is a  volunteer-run collective that strives to raise a South Asian voice for  justice and equality. For more information on SAPAC, please visit <a href="http://www.sapac.org" target="_self">www.sapac.org</a>.</p>
<p><strong>The deadline for  entry is</strong> <strong><span style="text-decoration: line-through;"></span>July 31, 2010</strong><strong>. Please  complete and return the artist application to SAPAC via email at: <a href="mailto:vorchicago@gmail.com" target="_blank">vorchicago@gmail.com</a> </strong></p>
<p><strong>or via snail mail at:</strong></p>
<p>Shilpa  Bavikatte</p>
<p>560 West Lake  Street</p>
<p>Chicago,  IL 60661</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/05/16/are-you-fair-lovely/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Transform Defacement into Defiance &#8211; May 15</title>
		<link>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/05/13/transform-defacement-into-defiance-may-15/</link>
		<comments>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/05/13/transform-defacement-into-defiance-may-15/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 May 2010 04:10:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rabya</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Arts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Religion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anida Yoeu Ali]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Islam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[School of the Art Institute]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.sapac.org/blog/?p=302</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Anida Yoeu Ali is a Chicago-based artist, activist and performer. Anida is completing her graduate work at the School of the Art Institute. Her recent installation, &#8220;1700 % Project: Otherance,&#8221; focuses on hate crimes against Muslims, Arabs and those perceived to be either Muslim or Arab.  From the website description: &#8220;The project challenges monolithic stereotypes [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1700percent-mistaken4muslim00.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-303" src="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1700percent-mistaken4muslim00.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://atomicshogun.com/" target="_blank">Anida Yoeu Ali</a> is a Chicago-based artist, activist and performer. Anida is completing her graduate work at the <a href="http://www.saic.edu/" target="_blank">School of the Art Institute</a>. Her recent installation, &#8220;<a href="http://1700percentproject.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">1700 % Project: Otherance</a>,&#8221; focuses on hate crimes against Muslims, Arabs and those perceived to be either Muslim or Arab.  From the website description: &#8220;The project challenges monolithic stereotypes of a &#8216;Muslim&#8217; identity  while acknowledging the significance of historical persecution.&#8221; The number 1700 represents &#8220;the exponential percentage increase of hate crimes against Arabs, Muslims  and those perceived to be Arab or Muslim since the events of September  11, 2001.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://1700percentproject.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/documentation-of-1700-project-iterations/" target="_blank">Anida&#8217;s installation was vandalized this week.</a> The phrase &#8220;Kill All Arabs&#8221; was highlighted from the exhibit. The Chicago Police <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&amp;id=7439441" target="_blank">are currently investigating the incident</a>, and the Council on American Islamic Relations <a href="http://www.cairchicago.org/2010/05/12/art-exposing-hate-crimes-against-muslims-vandalized/" target="_blank">is working with Anida</a> in addressing this act of hate.</p>
<p>Chicago Public Radio  featured Anida as part of its <a href="http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/content.aspx?audioID=41861" target="_blank">Islamic Reform series</a> last week, and interviewed her today to<a href="http://www.wbez.org/content.aspx?audioID=41989" target="_blank"> discuss the vandalism attack</a>.</p>
<p>In response to the vandalism, Anida has sent out a public invitation to take a stand together as a community against this hateful attack:  &#8220;<a href="http://1700percentproject.wordpress.com/events/" target="_blank">Transform Defacement into Defiance</a>,&#8221; this Saturday, May 15 at 12:30 pm at the installation, Sullivan Galleries, 33 S. State Street, 7th floor. The closing performance is on Friday, May 21 at 4:30 pm. The galleries are open to the public Tuesday- Saturday, from 11am-6pm.</p>
<p>And, come see Anida perform at <a href="http://streets2010.com/music-arts/artists" target="_blank">Takin&#8217; it to the Streets</a>, an Urban International Festival which will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2010 in Marquette Park.</p>
<p>Please bring your friends this Saturday, May 15 and/or next Friday, May 21 to show your support. Spread the word!</p>
<p>Additional media clips can be found on the <a href="http://1700percentproject.wordpress.com/news/" target="_blank">1700% News section</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/05/13/transform-defacement-into-defiance-may-15/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Desispotting: April Roundup</title>
		<link>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/04/08/desispotting-april-roundup/</link>
		<comments>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/04/08/desispotting-april-roundup/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Apr 2010 03:55:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ramona</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Arts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aziz Ansari]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brownstar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Columbia College Chicago]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Comedy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DePaul]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mira Nair]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Russell Peters]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.sapac.org/blog/?p=211</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A few events to hit in the next few weeks&#8230;
Brownstar @ Loyola University
Friday, April 9, 2010
&#8220;Formed in 2007, Brownstar is a two-man spoken-word duo bursting forth from the pens and dreams of emcee-poet-performers Pushkar North Star Sharma and Sathya South Star Sridharan. Grown in the Heartland of America but Flavored with the Masala of the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A few events to hit in the next few weeks&#8230;</p>
<p><a href="http://thebrownstarrevolution.tumblr.com/post/498741415" target="_blank">Brownstar @ Loyola University</a><br />
<strong>Friday, April 9, 2010</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;Formed in 2007, Brownstar is a two-man spoken-word duo bursting forth from the pens and dreams of emcee-poet-performers Pushkar North Star Sharma and Sathya South Star Sridharan. Grown in the Heartland of America but Flavored with the Masala of the Motherland, Brownstar shouts what often goes unheard, giving BROWN a voice and song—presenting a fresh perspective and exploring the contradictions, complexities, and epiphanies of South-Asian identities.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.faaim.org/raspberry-magic/" target="_blank">Raspberry Magic film @ Gene Siskel Film Center</a><br />
<strong>Thursday, April 15, 2010</strong></p>
<p>Directed by Leena Pendharkar, <em>Raspberry Magic </em>&#8220;is a coming-of-age story about an 11-year-old girl who believes she must win the science fair in order to bring her father back after he runs out on the family.&#8221; It will be the closing night film of the 15th annual Asian American Showcase.</p>
<p><a href="http://las.depaul.edu/wms/" target="_blank">Kalyani Devaki Menon @ DePaul University</a><br />
<strong>Friday, April 16, 2010</strong></p>
<p>Menon, a professor of religious studies at Syracuse University, discusses her book <em>Everyday  Nationalism: Women of the Hindu Right in India</em> as part of DePaul&#8217;s Women&#8217;s and Gender Studies program&#8217;s brown bag lunch series. Also appearing are Kathleen  McInerney, St. Xavier University; John Duffy, National Louis  University; and Morgan Halstead. Ph.D Candidate, to present &#8220;Visibility  Matters: LGBTQ issues in Illinois Higher Education.&#8221; 12-1:30pm at Levan Room 301. Contact the dept. for more info.</p>
<p><a href="http://theloop.colum.edu/s/644/studntWide.aspx?sid=644&amp;gid=24&amp;pgid=2328&amp;content_id=6773" target="_blank">Sarwat Rumi @ Columbia College Chicago</a><br />
<strong>Saturday, April 17, 2010</strong></p>
<p>SAPAC favorite Sarwat Rumi performs her moving poetry at Gender Fusions 6: Our Temple of Transgressions, Columbia&#8217;s annual &#8220;queer spectacle.&#8221; Sure to be a blast.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.iahmuseum.org/events.php" target="_blank">Vidur Kapur, Shazia Mirza, Dan Nainan @ IIT</a><br />
<strong>Sunday, April 18, 2010</strong></p>
<p>Three up-and-coming desi comedians take the stage at the Illinois Institute of Technology for a benefit for the Indo-American Heritage Museum.</p>
<p><a href="http://planitpurple.northwestern.edu/calendar/2990#" target="_blank">Jasbir Puar @ Northwestern University</a> <strong>ADDED 4/20</strong><br />
<strong>Wednesday, April 21, 2010</strong></p>
<p>Puar, a professor of Women&#8217;s and Gender Studies and Geography at Rutgers, will discuss her book <em>Terrorist Assemblages: Homonationalism in Queer Times</em> (2007) at Northwestern&#8217;s Evanston campus.</p>
<p><a href="http://thechicagocouncil.org/chicago_council_event_corporate_detail.php?eventid=2181" target="_blank">Amartya Sen @ Chicago Council on Global Affairs</a><br />
<strong>Wednesday, April 21, 2010</strong></p>
<p>Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate and professor of economics and philosophy at Harvard University, addresses the topic &#8220;International Law and Justice: Folly or Fair Play?&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bcics.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank">Amartya Sen @ Northwestern University</a><br />
<strong>Thursday, April 22, 2010</strong></p>
<p>Prof. Sen speaks for free at Northwestern&#8217;s Evanston campus.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111074732251595" target="_blank">Susan Koshy @ DePaul University</a> <strong>ADDED 4/21</strong><br />
<strong>Friday, April 23, 2010</strong></p>
<p>Koshy, a professor of English and Asian American Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will discuss &#8220;Asian American Studies in the Wake of Globalization.&#8221; &#8220;She will address changes in the field of Asian American Studies since its emergence in the 1970s, examine newer paradigms for organizing Asian American Studies in recent years, and consider the specific challenges for setting up Ethnic Studies programs in the Midwest.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ci.schaumburg.il.us/PCA/PrairieCenter/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Anoushka Shankar @ Prairie Center for the Arts</a><br />
<strong>Saturday, April 24, 2010</strong></p>
<p>Sitar player and composer (and daughter of Ravi, sister of Norah) Anoushka Shankar performs at Schaumburg&#8217;s arts center.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.colum.edu/SpecialEvents/UpClose/Mira_Nair.php" target="_blank">Mira Nair @ Columbia College Chicago</a><br />
<strong>Wednesday, April 28, 2010</strong></p>
<p>Filmmaker Mira Nair (<em>Salaam Bombay!</em>, <em>Monsoon Wedding</em>, <em>Amelia</em>) gives a free public talk at Columbia College. Reservations recommended&#8211;this event was previously listed as sold out, but it looks like tickets are available again online.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.com/event/minal-hajratwala" target="_blank">Minal Hajratwala @ Women &amp; Children First</a> <strong>ADDED 4/22</strong><br />
<strong>Wednesday, April 28, 2010</strong></p>
<p>In her 2010 Lambda Literary Award finalist debut, <em>Leaving India: My Family’s Journey from Five Villages to Five Continents, </em>San Francisco-based queer writer and activist Minal Hajratwala mixes history, memoir and reportage, tracing her family’s history from the beginning of the twentieth century and across five continents. Delving into the relationships between the personal choices and historical forces (colonialism, apartheid, Gandhi’s Salt March, American immigration policy) that shaped her family’s experiences, she brings to light the epic story of the Indian diaspora. Minal is another SAPAC favorite and has spoken at 2 of the 3 <a href="http://www.desilit.org/kriti.php" target="_blank">Kriti Festivals</a> held here in Chicago.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;..</p>
<p>And one that&#8217;s far off, but for which you&#8217;ll want to buy your tickets now:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.justforlaughschicago.com/justforlaughschicago/schedule.jsp" target="_blank">Aziz Ansari and Russell Peters @ Just for Laughs Festival</a><br />
<strong>June 17 &amp; 19, 2010</strong></p>
<p>The second Just for Laughs Chicago festival features two of the biggest desi comics around, Aziz Ansari (Thursday, June 17, 7pm and 9:30pm, at the Vic) and Russell Peters (Saturday, June 19, 8pm, at the Rosemont Theatre). Aziz&#8217;s last Chicago show at DePaul was all-new material and generally hi-larious, plus he&#8217;ll be hot off his gig hosting the MTV Movie Awards and will hopefully have some juicy celebrity dish to share.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/04/08/desispotting-april-roundup/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Desispotting: Zakir Hussain at Symphony Center</title>
		<link>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/03/14/desispotting-zakir-hussain-at-symphony-center/</link>
		<comments>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/03/14/desispotting-zakir-hussain-at-symphony-center/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:09:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rabya</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Arts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tabla]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zakir Hussain]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.sapac.org/blog/?p=138</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is hosting a performance by Zakir Hussain on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 7 pm.
&#8220;Classical tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain has gained worldwide  recognition with his masterful improvisational dexterity and brilliant  performances. Widely considered a chief architect of the contemporary  world music movement, he has collaborated with artists as [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/zakir-hussain-tablas.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-139" src="http://www.sapac.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/zakir-hussain-tablas-217x300.jpg" alt="" width="217" height="300" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://cso.org/" target="_blank">The Chicago Symphony Orchestra</a> is hosting a performance by <a href="http://zakirhussain.com/" target="_blank">Zakir Hussain</a> on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 7 pm.</p>
<p>&#8220;Classical <em>tabla</em> virtuoso Zakir Hussain has gained worldwide  recognition with his masterful improvisational dexterity and brilliant  performances. Widely considered a chief architect of the contemporary  world music movement, he has collaborated with artists as diverse as  George Harrison, Van Morrison and Tito Puente. Hussain leads the Masters  of Percussion in a thrilling display of drumming from both North and  South Indian classical traditions.&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://cso.org/TicketsAndEvents/EventDetails.aspx?eid=2987" target="_blank">See here for tickets</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/03/14/desispotting-zakir-hussain-at-symphony-center/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Voices of Resistance 2010 &#8211; Planning Meeting March 14 @ 3 pm</title>
		<link>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/03/08/voices-of-resistance-2010-planning-meeting-march-14-3-pm/</link>
		<comments>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/03/08/voices-of-resistance-2010-planning-meeting-march-14-3-pm/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:23:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>elaichibreath</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Arts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SAPAC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Voices of Resistance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.sapac.org/blog/?p=110</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What is Voices of Resistance (VOR)?  VOR seeks to create a safe space for South Asian artists to use their art as a dynamic means of social commentary that empowers and transforms. The event speaks to all of the faces, experiences, and perspectives of the South Asian Diaspora. We strongly encourage new and emerging artists to submit [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em><strong>What is Voices of Resistance (VOR)?</strong> </em> VOR seeks to create a safe space for South Asian artists to use their art as a dynamic means of social commentary that empowers and transforms. The event speaks to all of the faces, experiences, and perspectives of the South Asian Diaspora. We strongly encourage new and emerging artists to submit their work.</p>
<p><a href="http://sapac.org/events.htm#2009" target="_self">Last year, VOR was held at The Old Town School of Folk Music</a> on August 9, 2009. We will begin planning for this year&#8217;s annual VOR event on March 14th.</p>
<p><strong><a name="vor"></a>Sunday, March 14, 2010</strong><br />
3:00pm &#8211; 5:00pm<br />
Alliance Bakery, 1736 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622<br />
RSVP to <a href="mailto:info@sapac.org">info@sapac.org</a></p>
<p>Join us to kick off planning for one of our most popular annual events! We&#8217;ll be discussing venue, theme, sponsors, and setting up a planning calendar.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.sapac.org/blog/2010/03/08/voices-of-resistance-2010-planning-meeting-march-14-3-pm/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
