Last updated June 10.

This is just the tip of the summer iceberg. Keep checking back because you know we’ll be adding a lot more events throughout the month!

(Have something to add? Send your events to info@sapac.org or leave a comment here.)

Animals Out of Paper @ Steppenwolf Theatre
Now through June 19

Playwright Rajiv Joseph’s show is presented as part of Next Up, three productions showcasing Chicago’s next generation of artists, in collaboration with Northwestern University’s MFA programs in Direction and Design.

Restrepo & Sebastian Junger @ Spertus Institute
Wednesday, June 1 @ 5:15pm

Documentarian, journalist, and author Junger joins the Chicago Council on Global Affairs for a screening of his Academy-Award-nominated war documentary Restrepo and a discussion of his experiences reporting from Afghanistan.

Meal Hosts for Visiting South Asian Leaders Needed
See dates below

World Chicago (formerly International Visitors Center of Chicago) is looking for people interested in meeting with visitors from South Asia professionally and/or socially for meals in your home. Contact John Baum for more info.

June 1-4: Pakistani leaders in community policing

June 18-22: Indian leaders in drug administration

Zakir Hussain @ Symphony Center ADDED 6/2
Friday, June 3 @ 8:00pm

Tabla virtuoso Hussain joins saxophonist Charles Lloyd for a night of jazz at the Symphony Center.

Fuad Ahmad @ Millennium Park
Saturdays in June @ 8:00am

SAPACer Fuad Ahmad provides musical accompaniment (“live PA, with percussion, guitar, singing bowls, electric mBira, balinese jew’s harp, etc.”) for Millennium Park’s Saturday morning yoga and pilates workout sessions.

KalaKranti 2011 @ Columbia College Chicago
Saturday, June 4 @ 12:00pm

Trikone-Chicago and the Center for Asian Arts and Media at Columbia College Chicago present this festival of queer South Asian short film, a first-of-its-kind event in Chicago. I helped organize it, so come—you know it’ll be awesome.

Ithihasam Puranam – Are Our Epics Outdated? @ Balaji Temple
Saturday, June 4 @ 4:00pm

Choreographer Hema Rajagopalan and the Natya Dance Theatre School explore “the relevance of timeless values in our lives today” in their presentation of nine excerpts from the Ramayana. Part of the temple’s 25^th anniversary celebrations.

Camp Victory, Afghanistan @ Facets Cinematheque
Saturday, June 4 @ 5:00pm

Screening as part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, this documentary explores the reality of building a functioning Afghan military. Filmmaker Carol Dysinger and Colonel (R) Michael Shute (subject of the film) will hold a Q&A after the June 4 screening. Also showing Thursday, June 9 at 8:45pm.

Rangla Punjab Concert Nite @ Holiday Inn Rolling Meadows
Saturday, June 4 @ 8:00pm

Purewal Enterprises presents a night of music and dancing featuring Sarbit Cheema of Apni Boli Apna Des and Welcome to Punjab fame.

Anupy Singla @ Printers Row Lit Fest ADDED 6/5
Sunday, June 5 @ 11:00am

The Chicago chef/author presents a demo of recipes from her recent cookbook The Indian Slow Cooker.

Sunil Iyengar @ University of Chicago ADDED 6/7
Tuesday, June 7 @ 9:15am

The Director of the Office of Research & Analysis of the National Endowment for the Arts moderates a panel on “Valuing Culture in the Global City” at U of C’s Future of the City arts symposium.

Jaspreet Chowdhary @ Planned Parenthood of Illinois
Tuesday, June 7 @ 5:30pm

Chowdhary, Reproductive Justice Fellow and Legal Expert at the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), facilitates a discussion of the nuances of the heated race and sex selection abortion bans and the complexity of son preference practices within API communities.

Padavali @ Harold Washington Library Center
Thursday, June 9 @ 12:15pm

The Center for Odissi Dance presents Padavali, a work choreographed by artistic director Ipsita Mahapatra and based on Rabindranath Tagore’s poem in celebration of his 150th birthday.

Asian Giving Circle Award Ceremony @ PepsiCo Sustainability Center
Thursday, June 9 @ 5:30pm

The AGC hosts its 8th annual award ceremony, this year presenting grants to 4 organizations including the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) and the Silk Road Theatre Project. Several SAPAC members are involved with the AGC and SAADA, so come out and show your support!

Aparna Krishen & Ragini Krishnamoorthy @ Boocoo Cultural Center ADDED 6/5
Thursday, June 9 @ 6:00pm

The artists join Susan Cua and Hope Salmanoff for a group show of acrylic, pastel, oil and prints opening Thursday night at this center in Evanston.

Kavita Krishnamurthy & Suresh Wadkar @ Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago
Friday, June 10 @ 7:00pm

The temple presents a cultural program and music night featuring the singers with Hitesh Master and Orchestra SaReGaMa.

Jai Ho! Jungal @ Big Chicks
Friday, June 10 @ 10:00pm

Trikone-Chicago’s queer desi dance party returns for its first bash of the summer. Donations will support KalaKranti, (see June 4 entry above) and the org’s participation in the annual Chicago Pride parade.

A Little Betrayal Among Friends @ Greenhouse Theater Center ADDED 6/10
Saturday, June 11 – Saturday, July 9

Lavina Jadhwani directs this new adaptation by playwright Caridad Svich for Halcyon Theatre’s annual Alcyone Festival. For this year’s fest, the company asked “five contemporary women to rework/adapt/sample/remix plays written by classical women, celebrating over a thousand years of writing by women.”

Ami Saraiya @ Skokie Public Library ADDED 6/7
Saturday, June 11 @ 2:00pm

Saraiya performs traditional and contemporary freedom songs for the Illinois Humanities Council’s 50th anniversary celebration of the Freedom Rides. The event also features performance pieces by Neighborhood Writing Alliance, Congo Square Theatre, and Young Chicago Authors.

Divya Chethana @ Rama Temple
Sunday, June 12 @ 5:00pm

The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago presents Natya Dance Theatre as part of the temple’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations. Choreographed by Hema and Krithika Rajagopalan, Divya Chethana show how the six evils–Greed, Lust, Desire, Jealousy, Anger, and Pride–are impediments to our spiritual evolution.

Kiran Bedi @ Peninsula Chicago
Thursday, June 16 @ 12:00pm

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs hosts Bedi, the first and highest ranking female officer, Indian Police Service (ret.), and founder, Navjyoti and India Vision Foundation, for a discussion about “Restoring Public Confidence in a Democratic India.”

Desi Comedians @ Just for Laughs Chicago
Thursday, June 16 – Saturday, June 18

Several comedians of South Asian descent will be in town for this year’s Just for Laughs Festival:

• Kumail Nanjiani @ Chicago Theatre – June 16, 7:30pm
• Khaleel Farooqui @ Jokes and Notes – June 17, 8:30pm
• Fahim Anwar @ Red Bar Comedy Club – June 17-18
• Russell Peters @ Rosemont Theatre – June 18, 8:00pm

Anjal Chande @ praxis place
Friday, June 17 @ 7:00pm

Chande joins several dance artists for Women’s Choreographic Voices: Women’s Work, a program examining their efforts as female cultural producers living and working in Chicago.

Ek Surilee Shaam @ College of DuPage ADDED 6/7
Friday, June 17 @ 7:30pm

Orchestra Saregama of Chicago and Lohana Association of Greater Chicago present Ek Surilee Shaam by SaregamaPa judge Suresh Wadkar at CoD’s McAninch Arts Center. Part of the proceeds benefit the Hindu Temple of Lake County. For tickets/info, call Hitesh Master at (847) 322-9451.

Shelly Jyoti @ Woman Made Gallery ADDED 6/7
Saturday, June 18 @ 2:00pm

Artists Shelly Jyoti, from Vadodara, India, and Chicago-based Laura Kina discuss their collaborative exhibition “Indigo,” which was featured in Vadodara, Delhi, and Mumbai and is currently touring the U.S.

Thirst @ Theatre Wit ADDED 6/10
Saturday, June 18 @ 7:30pm

Stage Left Theatre, in partnership with Rasaka Theatre Company, presents this new piece by local playwrights Anita Chandwaney and M.E.H. Lewis as part of its annual LeapFest showcase of politically-minded new work. “In an ‘Untouchable’ Indian village crippled by drought, an intrepid young reporter investigates the corrupt water delivery system. But when her sister suddenly disappears, the investigation becomes personal. Thirst is an NYCWAM Honored Finalist and a 2011 O’Neill Conference semi-finalist.” Directed by Lavina Jadhwani. Repeats June 26 and 30.

Suraya Pakzad @ InterContinental Hotel
Thursday, June 23 @ 5:30pm

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs hosts Pakzad, founder and executive director of Voice of Women Organization, for a talk titled “Taking the Lead: Women and Civil Society in Afghanistan.”

Trikone Pride Party @ 5044 N. Marine Dr. ADDED 6/3
Saturday, June 25 @ 7:00pm

Trikone-Chicago hosts a series of fun events in June to celebrate LGBT Pride Month, including this party the night before Chicago’s annual Pride Parade.

Trikone-Chicago @ Pride Parade ADDED 6/3
Sunday, June 26

Trikone continues its Pride Month festivities with an entry in this year’s Chicago Pride Parade. Click the link above to learn how you can march with them.

While much of the mainstream media has suffered declining audiences in the past several years, WikiLeaks and Al Jazeera have captured the world’s attention.  The impact these unconventional journalists will ultimately have on global events, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia, is still unknown. I attended the South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) forum on South Asians and the Media in Chicago on January 29 to learn more about the state of international press, and to familiarize myself with local (and a couple national) South Asians in the media.  The panel was largely composed of mainstream South Asian journalists, and ethnic media and creative writing were also represented.

The backdrop of the presentation was a slide show of covers of U.S. periodicals with South Asian themes from 1919 onward. This show provides interesting insight into changing views of South Asia over the years.  The most immediately relevant part of the discussion concerned the catalyst role Al Jazeera played in recent events in the Middle East, which was characterized by Aparisim “Bobby” Ghosh, World Editor of Time magazine, as activist journalism.  Referring to unfolding events in Egypt and Tunisia, Ghosh stated, “This is Al Jazeera’s moment.” He drew a sharp contrast between the Western media’s “arms-length,” avowedly nonpartisan view of Middle Eastern revolutions and the passionate advocacy of Al Jazeera.

Some of the other issues covered in the rest of the wide-ranging discussion:

• The importance of collaboration between ethnic and mainstream media.  Alongside the decline in mainstream media, a 2009 New America Media poll reports increasing utilization of ethnic media in recent years, estimating a quarter of the overall U.S. population and four out of five African American, Latino, or Asian adults in the U.S. utilize such press.

• South Asian representation in the media.  There is a need for more South Asians as subjects of stories, more South Asian-themed stories, and more South Asians in visible media roles. Several panelists pointed out that beyond these needs, though, it is also important to have South Asians behind the scenes, and as bystanders or expert witnesses giving thoughts on issues unrelated to the South Asian community.

• Resources for up-and-coming journalists.  Fellowships are available through SAJA and Chicago is the World. Panelists noted that while funding is scarce, demand for online content is high, and a potential point of entry into larger publications.

• Collaboration with community groups.  For organizations seeking publicity for their work, establishing a longitudinal relationship with a journalist can be helpful to spotlight events or issues the group is working on.

In the spirit of SAJA, it’s worth noting that while Mahatma Gandhi is well-known as a lawyer and organizer, he also wrote for and published newspapers for most of his adult life.  He described his prolific writing as essential to shaping his consciousness and overcoming his notorious shyness to successfully communicate his ideas.  In regard to the power of his newspaper in the civil rights struggle in South Africa, he remarked, “Satyagraha would probably have been impossible without Indian Opinion…which therefore was certainly a most useful and potent weapon in our struggle.”

This month’s varied offerings include local and international film screenings, theatre performances, LGBT History Month readings, dance shows, political discussions, art exhibits, and galas, all featuring people of South Asian descent. Plus, we remind you to REGISTER TO VOTE by Oct. 5!

American Association of Retired Asians Gala @ Ashyana Banquets
Friday, October 1 @ 7:00pm

This nonprofit dedicated to the needs of aging South Asian Americans presents its second annual fundraising dinner.

Merchants of Bollywood @ Auditorium Theatre
Friday, October 1 – Saturday, October 2 @ 8:00pm

The “international dance spectacular” comes to the beautiful Auditorium in downtown Chicago.

Chicago South Asian Film Festival @ Chicago Cultural Center & Columbia College
Friday, October 1 – Sunday, October 3

Check out our previous post on the festival for more details.

Falling Petals @ Theatre 773
Saturday, October 2 @ 1:00pm

Erasing the Distance and the Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) present this multimedia theatre performance that shares true stories of people of Asian and Indian descent who have been impacted by mental illness and suicide.

Anila Sinha Foundation @ North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, October 2 @ 7:00pm

The Anila Sinha Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Chicago’s International House, presents “6th Element,” a multimedia Kathak dance performance that addresses the issue of global warming.

Sringara: Love and Devotion @ North Central College
Sunday, October 3 @ 4:00pm

The Samskriti Foundation presents a Bharatanatyam performance by the duo of Shijith Nambar and Parvathy Menon with a live orchestra.

Voter Registration Deadline
Tuesday, October 5

Tuesday, October 5 is the deadline to register to vote or update your voter information for the November 2 General Election!

Chicago Voter Registration Info

Suburban Cook County Voter Registration Info (outside Chicago)

Illinois Voter Registration Info

Seats up for grabs in this election include IL Senator, Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, some Representatives, some State Representatives, Cook County Board President, a slew of judges, and a whole lot more. It’s an important election, so make sure you’re registered!

SAPAC will be sharing more election information in the coming weeks, so stay tuned to our website.

Darpana Performing Group @ Old Town School of Folk Music
Wednesday, October 6 – Thursday, October 7

The Darpana Academy of Performing Arts of Gujarat presents a diverse dance program that uses classical, folk, tribal, and contemporary choreography to celebrate India’s multiculturalism and plurality. The 10-member troupe will also host a workshop as part of the school’s Thursday Workshop Series on October 7.

Yasmin Nair @ Chicago Public Library – Bezazian Branch ADDED 10/7
Saturday, October 9 @ 2:00pm

Against Equality: Queer Critiques of Gay Marriage, published by the Against Equality collective, documents the historical foundations of queer resistance to the gay marriage mainstream alongside contemporary critiques that engage issues of race, class, gender, citizenship, and age. The panel will feature presentations by three of the anthology’s contributors: artist and collective founder Ryan Conrad, historian and UIC professor John D’Emilio, and Yasmin Nair, a local writer and member of Gender JUST.

Natya Dance Theatre @ North Central College
Saturday, October 9 @ 8:00pm

The dancers of Natya perform “Invitation to the Dance” with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, featuring works by Weber, Ravel, and Berlioz.

SAPAC General Meeting @ Chava Cafe ADDED 10/7
Sunday, October 10 @ 1:00pm

Join us for our next general meeting to discuss our 2010 voter outreach campaign, past and upcoming events, and more!

Candidates Forum @ Bombay Hall ADDED 10/7
Sunday, October 10 @ 2:00pm

The American Muslim Task Force on Civil Rights & Elections and Illinois Committee for Honest Government present a Candidates Forum in the West Ridge/Devon neighborhood for the offices of U.S. Senate, Governor, Attorney General, Cook County President, Treasurer, Comptroller, Cook County Sheriff and several others. Bombay Hall is at 2448 W. Devon Ave.

Gurcharan Das @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/7
Tuesday, October 12 @ 6:00pm

The author of India Unbound discusses his newest book, The Difficulty of Being Good, a treatise on the ethical dilemmas presented in the Mahabarata and “how we can come to terms with the uncertain ethics of the world today.”

Sapna Kumar @ Gerber Hart Library
Wednesday, October 13 @ 7:00pm

Indian comic and storyteller (and Friend of SAPAC) Sapna Kumar joins a lineup of writers reading from their works about LGBT people, places, and events in history as part of Gerber Hart’s LGBT History Month celebration.

CA$H Film Screening @ AMC River East 21
Thursday, October 14 @ 5:30pm

Columbia [College Chicago] Night of the Chicago International Film Festival features the film CA$H, starring Sean Bean and produced by Chicago filmmaker Naveen Chathappuram. Filmmakers, cast, and crew are expected to participate in a Q&A session after the screening.

Rex Ghosh @ Borders ADDED 10/15
Friday, October 15 @ 3:00pm

Indian-born author and economist Ghosh signs his new thriller Nineteenth Street NW at the Borders on State St.

Natraj Dance @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/15
Friday, October 15 @ 7:00pm

The Natraj Dance Academy will perform with a live orchestra at U of C’s International House as part of Nobel Laureate Chandrasekhar’s Centennial Program.

Swati Avasthi @ Barbara’s Bookstore ADDED 10/15
Saturday, October 16 @ 7:00pm

Young Adult novelist Avasthi (Split) joins fellow YA author Alexandra Diaz for a YA Authors Night at the UIC branch of Barbara’s.

Shabana Azmi @ North Shore Center for the Performing Arts ADDED 10/15
Sunday, October 17 @ 6:30pm

Shabana Azmi appears in Girish Karnad’s play Broken Images for one night only. What more do I need to say? It’s Shabana Azmi!

Natya Dance Theatre @ Daley Plaza
Tuesday, October 19 @ 12:00pm

Natya performs Bharatanatyam as part of the City of Chicago’s “Under the Picasso” series of free weekday cultural programs.

Imtiaz Gul @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/7
Tuesday, October 19 @ 6:00pm

Gul, Executive Director of the Centre for Research and Security Studies at Islamabad, speaks on the flood disaster in Pakistan.

Coffee Conversations with Pakistani Legislative Fellows @ WorldChicago
Wednesday, October 20 @ 8:00am

World Chicago (formerly the International Visitors Center of Chicago) presents an opportunity to chat with 6 legislative research professionals from Pakistan who will be in Chicago for 3 weeks completing fellowships with federal and state legislative offices while living with Chicago-area families.

From Chicago to Lahore: Connecting Edge @ Chicago Cultural Center
Wednesday, October 20 @ 5:00pm

The Lahore Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International presents this exhibit of drawings, films, photographs, writings, and paintings by artists from Lahore and Chicago. Opening reception at 5:00pm.

World Music for Pakistan Benefit @ Mayne Stage ADDED 10/7
Wednesday, October 20 @ 7:00pm

A benefit for Actual Size Global for Pakistani flood relief, featuring Lamajamal (gypsy surf), Eyes Manouche (Balkan gypsy jazz), Kevin Leeds and Global Cooling (rock/soul/world fusion) & DJ RomaSoul (gypsy/eastern beats).

Sarwat Rumi @ Gerber Hart Library
Thursday, October 21 @ 7:00pm

The library continues its celebration of LGBT History Month with another set of readings from local writers including Friend of SAPAC Sarwat Rumi.

Rochona Majumdar @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/7
Saturday, October 23 @ 2:00pm

The Indian historian speaks about Radical Cinema and the “Film Society” Movement in India for the university’s 32nd annual Humanities Day. Additional South-Asia-related programs that day include a screening of Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali and talks about How Islam Begin; War, Trauma, and Humanism in Literature from Sri Lanka; and Women in Modern South and Southeast Asian Buddhism.

Crossing Cultures feat. Natya Dance @ Harold Washington Library
Saturday, October 23 – Sunday, October 24

In its first annual cross-cultural dance festival, Natya Dance Theatre bridges traditions from not just North and South India, but also the Eastern and Western hemispheres. The festival, which spans the weekend of October 23rd and 24th, brings together a group of diverse and innovative artists including Krithika Rajagopalan, Uma Dogra, DanceWorks Chicago, and Hedwig Dances. Each evening also features a unique collaboration between Mordine & Co. and Natya, to exemplify the bridging of classical and modern dance forms in this festival.

Kavita Ramdas @ Blackstone Hotel
Monday, October 25 @ 12:00pm

Ramdas, a senior advisor to the Global Fund for Women and a visiting fellow and scholar at Stanford University’s Center for Philanthropy and Civil Society and the Center for Democracy, Development, and Rule of Law at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Affairs, participates in the Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ panel called “Smart Money: Granting Opportunities for Women Worldwide.”

Stir-Friday Night’s “Bubble Tea Party” @ Chicago Center for the Performing Arts ADDED 10/7
Friday, October 29 @ 7:30pm

The Chicago Asian American sketch comedy troupe celebrates its 15th anniversary with a new show that opens October 29 and continues through November 20.

Jai Ho(rror)! @ Big Chicks ADDED 10/7
Friday, October 29 @ Time TBA

Trikone Chicago hosts a Halloween edition of its wildly popular queer desi party. Exact details TBA–click the link above to join their Facebook group and get an invite when it’s available.

Hamdard Center Gala @ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Saturday, October 30 @ 6:00pm

SAPAC is proud to support the Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services’ 18th Annual Gala. Guests will enjoy Indo-Pakistani cuisine, a cultural show, live auction, and ethnic bazaar while raising funds for the agency’s social service programs. Featuring Sufi Qawwali superstar Amjad Sabri and master of ceremonies Ravi Baichwal of ABC7 News.

Music and Dance from Asia @ North Central College
Saturday, October 30 @ 7:00pm

The Naperville-based Xilin Art Center presents a celebration of Asian heritage featuring music and dance from countries including India.

Bharatanatyam dancer Chande performs and discusses using dance in storytelling.

Ravi & Anoushka Shankar @ Symphony Center ADDED 10/18
Saturday, October 30 @ 8:00pm

Shankar and daughter Anoushka perform in a celebration of the sitar master’s 90th birthday.

The World Stage: India-Sri Lanka @ Rhona Hoffman Gallery
Continuing through October 23

Wiley’s portraits of young men from New Delhi, Mumbai, and Sri Lanka are based on major historical paintings but with the subjects placed in new, culturally specific settings. Wiley has done similar series featuring young men from Brazil, China, and Africa, all vivid and striking.

Water Ways @ Walsh Gallery
Continuing through November 13

The West Loop-based Walsh Gallery presents an exhibition exploring the way art and water intersect as seen by prominent artists from China and India, including Vivan Sundaram, Reena Kallat, Gulam Mohammed Sheikh, and Sheba Chhachhi. While the pics don’t do some of the work justice, a preview of the show is available on the gallery’s website.

Jitish Kallat @ Art Institute of Chicago
Continuing through January 2, 2011

“September 11–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,” which opened on September 11, 2010.

If by some chance hadn’t already heard, Chicago is having its first ever (I believe) South Asian-themed film festival. CSAFF will take place this weekend beginning with an opening night film and gala at the Chicago Cultural Center and the remainder taking place at Columbia College Chicago‘s Film Row Cinema.  This year’s festival will feature 16 feature-length and short films from the U.S., India, and Pakistan, and you’ll have a chance to meet many of the filmmakers and actors.

As part of the programming committee that picked the films, I can guarantee that you will enjoy all of them!

For more information about times and tickets and anything else go to http://www.csaff.org.

A few events to hit in the next few weeks…

Brownstar @ Loyola University
Friday, April 9, 2010

“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.”

Raspberry Magic film @ Gene Siskel Film Center
Thursday, April 15, 2010

Directed by Leena Pendharkar, Raspberry Magic “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.” It will be the closing night film of the 15th annual Asian American Showcase.

Kalyani Devaki Menon @ DePaul University
Friday, April 16, 2010

Menon, a professor of religious studies at Syracuse University, discusses her book Everyday Nationalism: Women of the Hindu Right in India as part of DePaul’s Women’s and Gender Studies program’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 “Visibility Matters: LGBTQ issues in Illinois Higher Education.” 12-1:30pm at Levan Room 301. Contact the dept. for more info.

Sarwat Rumi @ Columbia College Chicago
Saturday, April 17, 2010

SAPAC favorite Sarwat Rumi performs her moving poetry at Gender Fusions 6: Our Temple of Transgressions, Columbia’s annual “queer spectacle.” Sure to be a blast.

Vidur Kapur, Shazia Mirza, Dan Nainan @ IIT
Sunday, April 18, 2010

Three up-and-coming desi comedians take the stage at the Illinois Institute of Technology for a benefit for the Indo-American Heritage Museum.

Jasbir Puar @ Northwestern University ADDED 4/20
Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Puar, a professor of Women’s and Gender Studies and Geography at Rutgers, will discuss her book Terrorist Assemblages: Homonationalism in Queer Times (2007) at Northwestern’s Evanston campus.

Amartya Sen @ Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate and professor of economics and philosophy at Harvard University, addresses the topic “International Law and Justice: Folly or Fair Play?”

Amartya Sen @ Northwestern University
Thursday, April 22, 2010

Prof. Sen speaks for free at Northwestern’s Evanston campus.

Susan Koshy @ DePaul University ADDED 4/21
Friday, April 23, 2010

Koshy, a professor of English and Asian American Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will discuss “Asian American Studies in the Wake of Globalization.” “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.”

Anoushka Shankar @ Prairie Center for the Arts
Saturday, April 24, 2010

Sitar player and composer (and daughter of Ravi, sister of Norah) Anoushka Shankar performs at Schaumburg’s arts center.

Mira Nair @ Columbia College Chicago
Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Filmmaker Mira Nair (Salaam Bombay!, Monsoon Wedding, Amelia) gives a free public talk at Columbia College. Reservations recommended–this event was previously listed as sold out, but it looks like tickets are available again online.

Minal Hajratwala @ Women & Children First ADDED 4/22
Wednesday, April 28, 2010

In her 2010 Lambda Literary Award finalist debut, Leaving India: My Family’s Journey from Five Villages to Five Continents, 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 Kriti Festivals held here in Chicago.

………..

And one that’s far off, but for which you’ll want to buy your tickets now:

Aziz Ansari and Russell Peters @ Just for Laughs Festival
June 17 & 19, 2010

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’s last Chicago show at DePaul was all-new material and generally hi-larious, plus he’ll be hot off his gig hosting the MTV Movie Awards and will hopefully have some juicy celebrity dish to share.

Chicago-based film producer Naveen Chathappuram leads a Q&A session after a free screening of his latest project CA$H, starring Sean Bean (when isn’t he good?) and Chris Hemsworth (Thor! James Kirk’s dad!).

CA$H Screening and Q&A
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
6:00pm
Columbia College Chicago, Film Row Cinema
1104 S. Wabash, 8th floor

Chathappuram grew up in suburban Chicago and is a Columbia College alum. Filmed and set in Chicago, CA$H follows a young couple, played by Hemsworth and Victoria Profeta, as they deal with the consequences of falling into a much-needed wad of, well, cash:

A stroke of good luck turns lethal for Sam Phelan and his wife Leslie when they are faced with a life-changing decision that brings strange and sinister Pyke Kubic (SEAN BEAN) to their doorstep. As Pyke leads Sam and Leslie on a tumultuous adventure through the streets of Chicago, each are pulled deeper and deeper into a desperate spiral of deception and violence… All in the name of money. [Facebook]

Chathappuram has based his production company, Immortal Thoughts, in Northfield and hopes to bring future projects to Chicago. Even more interesting, he’s outsourced post-production work on some of his previous projects to Mumbai and Chennai, taking advantage of the professional skills and lower costs abundant in both cities. Is this going to be a new trend in the U.S. film industry?