Desi happenings around town this month…

Laughfest @ North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Friday, July 2 @ 8:00pm

South Asian Arts Festival presents comedians Azhar Usman, Sugar Sammy, and Brown Man Group; dancers Kashif Memon, Qasim A, and UIC Dhamaal; and musicians AbsoluteRaag and DJ Bornswift, all for a reasonable $21. Use promo code “fiveoff” for a discount on tix purchased through DesiClub.com.

Numbfeel @ Viaduct Theatre ADDED 7/9
Sunday, July 4 – Sunday, July 25

Lavina Jadhwani (familiar to many Rasaka Theatre patrons) directs Numbfeel, a new play by Chelsea M. Marcantel about what attracts us to each other and what drives us apart. Part of a three-play production called (a)Symmetry Cycle that “follows seven characters in a traditional cycle format (creation, destruction, reawakening) and explores the wonder of human relationships through the lenses of biology, chemistry and neuroscience.”

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan @ North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, July 10 @ 7:30pm

The Maestro of Sarod and fellow performers bring a night of music to Skokie.

Red Baraat @ Chicago Folk & Roots Festival
Sunday, July 11 @ 5:30pm

Red Baraat

Red Baraat claims to be “the first and only dhol ‘n’ brass band of its kind in the States, melding the infectious North Indian rhythms of bhangra with brass funk and expressing the human spirit through improvisation and a powerful live sound.” From what I hear, it’s a band not to be missed. On July 11 they’ll be at the Old Town School of Folk Music’s annual fest at Welles Park (Lincoln and Montrose in Chicago). You can also catch them at the following venues:

Monday, July 12 – ABC7 News @ 11am
Wednesday, July 14 – Martyrs
Thursday, July 15 – Chicago SummerDance
Saturday, July 17 – Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival

Subcontinental Drift Open Mic @ Ethiopian Diamond II
Thursday, July 15 @ 7:00pm

Subcontinental Drift – Chicago presents its second free open mic event that celebrates the South Asian community. Performances include stand-up comedy, spoken word, and music. The event is followed by a desi dance party. Special performance by “America’s Funniest Muslim” Azhar Usman. (He’s funny. It’s free. Go!)

Aman Ki Aasha @ Rosemont Theatre
Friday, July 23 @ 8:30pm

A Bollywood concert featuring 30 musicians and dancers.

Interfaith Conference @ Kriya Vedanta Gurukulam ADDED 7/9
Saturday, July 24 – Sunday, July 25

This new nonsectarian ashram in Joliet hosts an interfaith conference as part of its three-day grand opening. Discussions begin at 3:00pm each day and include free dinner. Featured speakers include Swami Sharanananda, Chinmaya Mission; Rabbi Charles Rubovits, Joliet Jewish Congregation; Hema Pokharna, Jain Interfaith Committee; and Mazher Ahmed, Batavia Islamic Center.

Band of Joes @ Jazz Showcase ADDED 7/24
Monday, July 26 @ 8:00pm & 10:00pm

Jazz ensemble Band of Joes, featuring local musician/composer Vijay Tellis-Nayak on keyboards, performs 2 shows at the Printers Row club.

UIC Bhangra @ US Cellular Field ADDED 7/24
Wednesday, July 28 @ 6:40pm

The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago presents UIC’s Bhangra team at the White Sox – Seattle Mariners game.

Natya Dance Theatre @ Storefront Theater
Thursday, July 29 – Sunday, August 1

Two of Chicago’s dance companies, Mordine & Company and Natya, collaborate on a trilogy of works that incorporate Western contemporary and Indian classical styles for a show called “Encountering the Other.” Friday’s performance includes a post-show discussion with the artists.

Janaka Selekta @ Funky Buddha Lounge ADDED 7/13
Friday, July 30 @ 9:00pm

San Francisco-based DJ/Producer Janaka Selekta spins for Bhangratheque’s latest party. DJ Jimmy Singh and free Bhangra dance lessons by Ajanta are also on the bill.

Satya & DJ Joe Bryl @ NNWAC: Wicker Park Art Center ADDED 7/16
Saturday, July 31 @ 8:00pm

SAPAC fave & friend Satya Gummuluri helps launch HotHouse’s new World Underground monthly music series, which “joins up-and-coming regional artists with underground legends who established many of the cultural scenes we enjoy today.” Satya’s a mesmerizing jazz vocalist who sings in Hindi, Portuguese, and English; Bryl’s a Chicago fixture who co-created HotHouse  and has been deeply involved with Funky Buddha Lounge, Sonotheque, and The Shrine. The artists share an affinity for Brazilian music. Should make for an intriguing collaboration.