Last updated Dec. 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• VOR10: REVISION Performance Night

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

Last updated Oct. 18

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Immigration attorney Dhenu Savla presents a free seminar at IAC.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kalapriya Dance @ Hamdard Center
Tuesday, October 25

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Occupy Chicago Teach-Ins
Throughout October

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

The South Asian Progressive Action Collective
in partnership with Marwen
is proud to present

.

Voices of Resistance 10: REVISION

at Marwen, 833 N. Orleans St., Chicago

• Visual Art Exhibition

Friday, September 30 – Saturday, October 22, 2011
Opening reception: September 30, 5:00-7:00pm
Admission: FREE (no ticket required)

• Performance

Saturday, October 15, 2011
7:00-9:00pm
Admission: $10 advance / $15 at the door (18 & under FREE)
BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Voices of Resistance (VOR) features performance and visual art dedicated to social justice and the illumination of progressive artistic perspectives on South Asian issues. As we approach the 10th anniversary of 9/11, this 10th annual VOR reflects on an event that drastically impacted the South Asian community and was the impetus for the creation of VOR.

The program highlights original work by Chicago-based performance and visual artists. The works, developed over a 3-month period of artist workshops and dialogues, address a range of issues including nationalism and belonging in America, conflict in South Asia, Islamaphobia/xenophobia in the United States, and personal hopes for creating a more just and accepting society.

GET ALL THE DETAILS and learn more about our artists!

We’re back with a bunch of events happening throughout the month of August! (Sorry for not posting a July edition of Desispotting, but we hope you took advantage of some of the many amazing events that happened around town last month, including the expansive Eye on India festival and the Dalai Lama’s visit.)

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

Watershed Organization Trust Fundraiser @ Wells on Wells ADDED 8/1
Wednesday, August 3 @ 5:30pm

Enjoy an evening of networking and education supporting American Friends of Watershed Organization Trust, which conducts educational and study abroad international travel programs for American graduate students and helps to promote and fund the WOTR in Pune, India.

Homestay Hosts Needed for London Youth
Friday, August 5 – Sunday, August 14

World Chicago seeks hosts for 3 high school boys—Anam, Killian, and Joshi—participating in a youth leadership program in early August. If interested, please contact John Baum at (312) 254-1800 x100 or jbaum@worldchicago.org.

Trikone-Chicago Summer Picnic @ Hollywood Beach
Saturday, August 6 @ 2:00pm

Trikone hosts a fun day of grilling, volleyball, and general beach merriment.

SAPAC General Meeting @ Barnes & Noble DePaul
Monday, August 8 @ 6:00pm

Join us for our next meeting where we’ll discuss our upcoming Voices of Resistance show and our new SAALT Fellow!

Trikone-Chicago & I2I Dinner @ Tank Noodle
Tuesday, August 9 @ 6:30pm

Trikone joins I2I: Asian Pacific Islander Pride of Chicago for its August social.

A Tribute to Ifti Nasim @ Gerbert/Hart Library ADDED 8/1
Wednesday, August 10 @ 6:30pm

Trikone-Chicago hosts this public memorial for the late poet and community activist, our friend Ifti Nasim.

Subcontinental Drift @ 630 N. State St.
Thursday, August 11 @ 8:00pm

Join Chicago’s South Asian open mic in bidding farewell to co-organizer Vyjayanthi Vadrevu before she heads to a new adventure in Austin, Texas.

Meet and Greet with IADO & NetIP @ Theory Chicago
Friday, August 12 @ 5:30pm

The Indo-American Democratic Organization and Network of Indian Professionals host a happy hour featuring the Honorable Judge Ketki Steffan of the 13th Subcircuit and Ameya Pawar, Alderman of the 47th Ward.

Sexual Identity, Health and Stigma in India @ University of Chicago
Saturday, August 13 @ 9:30am

The University of Chicago Global Health Initiative presents Sexual Identity, Health and Stigma in India: Traditional Statuses and Western Influences. “During the past decade, a collision of indigenous and foreign influences has rendered salient changes to what it means to be a man who has sex with other men (MSM) in India. The repeal of Penal Code 377 and the first male to male ‘Bollywood kiss’ are tangible manifestations of a shift in social and sexual mores. Through a lively discussion featuring international and multidisciplinary scholars, this roundtable will explore the critical influences relevant to male sexual identity and health in India today.” The live webcast is open to the public.

Story of My Pride @ Asian Human Services
Saturday, August 13 @ 7:00pm

I2I: Asian Pacific Islander Pride of Chicago invites members of our diverse LGBTQ pan-Asian communities to share unique stories and pride epiphanies.

Jai Ho! @ Big Chicks
Friday, August 19 @ 10:00pm

Trikone-Chicago’s bimonthly fundraiser returns with a “Bollywood Beach Party.” You can’t look at this poster and not want to go.

Anjal Chande & Aakash Mittal Quartet @ Vittum Theater
Friday, August 19 – Sunday, August 21

Dancer Chande and jazz musician Aakash Mittal present the culmination of a year-long collaboration called Joining Hands.

India Independence Day Parade @ Devon Avenue
Saturday, August 20 @ 12:00pm

Chicago’s annual celebration of India’s Independence Day kicks off at noon at Devon and Western. (The Pakistan Parade will be held September 18.)

Bollywood Flash Mob @ It’s a secret!
Sunday, August 21 @ 2:30pm

Trikone’s Kareem Khubchandani is organizing a Bollywood flash mob to be unleashed at an undisclosed location. Click the link above if you want to get involved!

The Boy Mir: Ten Years in Afghanistan @ Siskel Film Center
Sunday, August 21 & Tuesday, August 23

Filmmaker Phil Grabsky returns to the subject of his documentary The Boy Who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan (2004), Afghan boy Mir and his refugee family. The irrepressible Mir was an irresistible subject, and Grabsky returned to follow his life over a ten-year period, during which he matures into young manhood and faces a difficult decision: whether to go to work (as his father wishes) or stay in school.

Saahab @ Illinois Institute of Technology
Saturday, August 27 @ 7:30pm

Pratham Chicago, a children’s education organization, presents Shekhar Sen’s “musical mono act in Hindi,” Saahab, “the emotional story of a boy’s journey through life.” Call (630) 915-6176 for more info.

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.

Last updated April 25.

Spring continues to bring us a plethora of opportunities to catch desis doing fascinating things around Chicagoland…

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

Don’t forget: Artist applications for Voices of Resistance 10: REVISION are due Friday, April 15!

Enemies of Silence @ Chicago Cultural Center
Friday, April 1 @ 7:00pm

Rape Victim Advocates presents an evening of poetry and performance to kick off Sexual Assalt Awareness Month, as part of the public programming around the Off the Beaten Path exhibition at the Cultural Center. Performers include Friends of SAPAC Sarwat Rumi and Lani Montreal.

Krishan vs. Kanhaiya @ North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Friday, April 1 @ 8:00pm

Bollywood star Paresh Rawal stars in this Hindi play directed by Umesh Shukla.

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor @ Gaylord
Saturday, April 2 @ 7:00pm

Gaylord’s downtown restaurant features a special dinner and talk by the world renowned chef and author of the new book How to Cook Indian.

SEVEN @ Gene Siskel Film Center
Saturday, April 2 @ 8:15pm

Silk Road Theater Company presents a staged reading of SEVEN, a documentary play based on interviews with seven women’s rights activists from seven countries around the world: Afghanistan, Cambodia, Guatemala, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, and Russia. The interviews were conducted by seven award-winning women playwrights: Paula Cizmar, Catherine Filloux, Gail Kriegel, Carol K. Mack, Ruth Margraff, Anna Deveare-Smith, and Susan Yankowitz. The show features an ensemble of local actors that includes Mouzam Makkar and Amira Sabbagh and is presented as part of the 16^th Annual Asian American Showcase.

Ravi Shankar film @ Chicago Cultural Center
Sunday, April 3 @ 2:00pm

In recognition of his 91st birthday, the Cultural Center’s Reel Music series debuts the rerelease of Ravi Shankar, Raga: A Film Journey to the Soul of India, the long out-of-print documentary film about the life of the legendary sitarist.

50th Ward Run-off Election
Tuesday, April 5 @ 6:00am-7:00pm

Among the many Chicago aldermanic run-off elections we’ll be watching is the 50th Ward match between incumbent Bernie Stone and Debra Silverstein. Full election info can be found at http://chicagoelections.com.

Katarzyna Pazucha @ University of Chicago
Thursday, April 7 @ 4:30pm

Pazucha, of the university’s Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations, speaks as part of the school’s Theory and Practice in South Asia graduate student workshop series.

Brownstar @ UIC
Thursday, April 7 @ 7:00pm

As part of their APA Heritage Month calendar, UIC’s Asian American students present an open mic night featuring spoken word artists Brownstar and Beau Sia.

Tabla Master Class with Prafulla Athalye @ Andy’s Music Chicago ADDED 4/7
Thursday, April 7 @ 7:00pm

Prafulla is a life long disciple of Ustad Alla Rakha, father of Zakir Hussain. He’ll present an overview of his very popular lineage of techniques and styles on the tabla.

Indo-American Center Wine & Cheese Social @ TBA
Saturday, April 9 @ 4:00pm

The Center’s Leadership 21 junior board hosts a networking event for young professionals.

Bollywood in My Soul @ Gene Siskel Film Center ADDED 4/1
Saturday, April 9 @ 8:00pm

Rasaka Theatre Company debuts a short piece called Bollywood in My Soul, written by Friend of SAPAC Kareem Khubchandani, prior to a film screening at the 16th Annual Asian American Showcase. Featuring Ranvijay Raazdan, Kamal Hans, Minita Gandhi, Mouzam Makkar, and Vyjayanthi Vadrevu.

Natya Dance Theatre Student Showcase @ Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts
Sunday, April 10 @ 3:00pm

The school shows off its students’ progress at this family-friendly introduction to Bharatanatyam.

SAPAC Voices of Resistance 10 Info Session @ Chicago Cultural Center ADDED 4/11
Monday, April 11 @ 5:30pm

Thinking of applying to be part of our 10th VOR show but have some questions or concerns? Come to one of our info sessions (the other is April 15) and meet with our VOR organizers!

Lakshmi Rengarajan and Ramona Gupta @ Columbia College Chicago ADDED 4/11
Monday, April 11 @ 6:30pm

SAPAC’s own Rengarajan and Gupta (er…me) speak on a panel of Asian American Professionals in the Arts for Columbia College’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrations.

Eboo Patel @ Old St. Pat’s Church ADDED 4/8
Wednesday, April 13 @ 7:00pm

Interfaith Youth Core founder Patel gives a talk as part of the church’s Lenten Series “Life Beyond Borders.”

Anupama Rao @ University of Chicago
Thursday, April 14 @ 4:30pm

Rao, Associate Professor of South Asian History at Barnard College, addresses “Stigma, Precarity, and Everyday Life in Dalit Bombay” as part of the U of C’s South Asia Seminar series.

Pushpika Freitas @ Women & Children First
Thursday, April 14 @ 7:30pm

The founder of fair-trade apparel group MarketPlace: Handwork of India, an Evanston-based company that employs more than 300 artisans, joins authors Mary A. Littrell and Marsha A. Dickson for a reading and discussion of their new book Artisans and Fair Trade: Crafting Development.

Stir-Friday Night! Benefit for Japan @ The Playground Theater ADDED 4/8
Thursday, April 14@ 8:00pm

The Asian American comedy troupe hosts a benefit for disaster relief in Japan.

Market Place – Handiwork of India Spring Benefit @ In Fine Spirits ADDED 4/1
Thursday, April 14 @ 8:30pm

The organization hosts a reception to support the women artisans whose wares it sells.

SAPAC Voices of Resistance 10 Artist Applications Due!
Friday, April 15

Chicago South Asian artists, don’t forget to submit your appliction for our annual showcase, Voices of Resistance 10: REVISION!

SAPAC Voices of Resistance 10 Info Session @ Coffee Chicago ADDED 4/11
Friday, April 15 @ 5:30pm

Thinking of applying to be part of our 10th VOR show but have some questions or concerns? Come to one of our info sessions (the other is April 11) and meet with our VOR organizers!

Sehla Ashai @ NIU ADDED 4/11
Friday, April 15 @ 9:00am

SAPAC’s own Ashai, of the National Immigrant Justice Project’s Counter-Trafficking Project, speaks on a panel titled “Litigating Human Trafficking Cases” at NIU’s two-day Law Review Symposium on Human Trafficking.

Honoring South Asians in Public Office @ D4 Restaurant and Pub
Friday, April 15 @ 7:00pm

NetIP Chicago, the Indian American Bar Association, South Asians for Opportunity, and the Washington Leadership Program host a reception honoring young four South Asian leaders elected to public office: Ameya Pawar (Chicago Alderman), Jay Goyal (Ohio State Representative), Sam Arora (Maryland State Representative), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (former Illinois Deputy State Treasurer). Proceeds benefit the Washington Leadership Program to support South Asian interns on Capitol Hill for Summer 2011.

Bollywood Dream @ Chicago Cultural Center ADDED 4/1
Friday, April 15 @ 8:00pm

Catch a free screening of this Brazilian film about three women hoping to make it in Bollywood. Part of the 3rd annual Chicago International Movies and Music Festival (CIMM Fest)–and the rest of the fest is worth checking out, too.

Bhutto film @ Chicago Cultural Center ADDED 4/8
Saturday, April 16 @ 2:00pm

ITVS, CAIR-Chicago, WTTW Channel 11, and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events present this special screening of Bhutto, the story of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s life. With special guest Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S. in an interview with Ash-har Quraishi, a journalist from Chicago Tonight.

South Asian Women’s Conference @ Oak Brook Marriott ADDED 4/11
Sunday, April 17 @ 1:30pm

Indo-American Community Services presents a day of motivational speakers and educational workshops for women of South Asian descent. Speakers include Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky; Anurima Bhargava, Chief of Educational Opportunities Section, U.S. Department of Justice; K.Sujata, President/CEO of Chicago Foundation for Women; Mukta Dutta Tomar, Indian Consul General in Chicago; and Rohini Dey, Founder and Owner of Vermilion Restaurants. Featured performers include Natya Dance Theatre and Anila Sinha Foundation.

Teaching South Asia Critically Conference @ Oakton Community College ADDED 4/8
Thursday, April 21 – Friday, April 22

SAPAC’s own Ahalya Satkunaratnam and Samip Mallick, as well as several Friends of SAPAC, will speak at this gathering focused on developing South-Asia-related curricula in a variety of fields.

Aishwary Kumar @ University of Chicago
Thursday, April 21 @ 4:30pm

Kumar, Assistant Professor of Modern South Asian History at Stanford University, speaks as part of the U of C’s South Asia Seminar series.

Kalapriya: The Liquid Network @ Jordan Mozer and Associates, Ltd. Design Studio ADDED 4/20
Thursday, April 21 @ 6:00pm

Kalapriya presents The Liquid Network, a site-specific performance that brings “the myriad facets of Indian dance culture…face to face with modern design.” Includes a post-show reception and conversation with the choreographer and dancers.

Stir-Friday Night Benefit for Japan @ Second City ADDED 4/8
Friday, April 22 @ 7:30pm

SFN presents “Asians Do Your Homework for $$$ to Aid Relief Efforts in Japan.” Hee. Click the link above for full details.

Immigrant Youth Justice League open meeting & info session @ ICIRR ADDED 4/23
Saturday, April 23 @ 2:00pm

Not a desi-specific event, per se, but an opportunity to meet with other youth immigration activists.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam @ Avery Coonley School
Saturday, April 23 @ 5:30pm

The visiting former Indian president speaks to middle and high school students at the Downers Grove school.

Eboo Patel on ABC’s “This Week” ADDED 4/23
Sunday, April 24 @ 9:30am

The founder of Interfaith Youth Core joins Cokie and Steve Roberts, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention for a roundtable on religion and government for a special Easter Sunday edition of “This Week with Christiane Amanpour.”

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam @ UIC
Sunday, April 24 @ 12:00pm

Former Indian President Kalam is also a renowned scientist and aeronautical engineer, humanitarian, and advocate for youth empowerment. As part of his Chicago visit, he discusses his Vision 2020 for India, the importance of environmentalism, and youth empowerment at a colloquium for college students.

Zero Bridge @ Gene Siskel Film Center ADDED 4/23
Sunday, April 24 & Monday, April 25

A rare chance to see a film set in Kashmr; this is its Chicago premiere.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam @ Oak Brook Marriott
Sunday, April 24 @ 6:00pm

The Indo-American Center hosts a benefit dinner featuring former Indian President Abdul Kalam.

Eboo Patel and Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf @ Hilton Chicago ADDED 4/11
Tuesday, April 26 @ 5:30pm

IFYC founder Patel interviews the founder and chairman of the American Society for Muslim Advancement and the Cordoba Initiative in a program sponsored by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The two will discuss “Religious Pluralism and Muslims in the United States.”

Vijay Prashad @ Columbia College Chicago ADDED 4/25
Tuesday, April 26 @ 6:00pm

Prashad, Director of International Studies at Trinity College and author of The Darker Nations: A People’s History of The Third World and The Karma of Brown Folk, joins a panel discussing “Rap Sessions: From Precious II For Colored Girls: The Black Image in the American Mind.”

Sarah Hodges @ University of Chicago
Thursday, April 28 @ 4:30pm

Hodges, Associate Professor of History at University of Warwick, addresses “The Afterlives of Afterbirth: Stem Cells and the Devil in ‘New’ Chennai” as part of the school’s South Asia Seminar series.

Kavi Gupta Gallery & more @ Merchandise Mart ADDED 4/25
Thursday, April 28 – Monday, May 2

Artropolis (Art Chicago, NEXT, and the International Antiques Fair) is back again this weekend, with an opening preview Thursday night. Check out Kavi Gupta Gallery‘s booth at NEXT as well as a number of desi artists showcased around the fairs.

Honoring Akshaya Trust’s Narayanan Krishnan @ Elephant & Castle ADDED 4/25
Friday, April 29 @ 7:00pm

NetIP Chicago welcomes the CNN Hero of the Year Finalist for a social mixer and food drive Friday night. The events continue with a service breakfast Saturday morning at Lincoln Park Community Shelter and/or the Indo-American Center, followed by a luncheon at Gaylord.

Delhi 2 Dublin @ Darkroom
Friday, April 29 @ 9:00pm

Bhangratheque hosts the Vancouver-based world music group along with DJ Jimmy Singh, DJ Krush, and Bhangra instructor Ajanta.

4th Annual Global Activism Expo @ UIC Forum ADDED 4/8
Saturday, April 30 @ 12:00pm

WBEZ hosts this gathering of hundreds of Chicago-area global activists, each providing ways you can immediately get involved and join their efforts. Several South-Asian-related organizations will participate, and attendees will have the opportunity to live video chat with children in India via the LIFT Foundation (Leading India’s Future Today).

Anindita Dutta @ Robert Bills Contemporary ADDED 4/23
April 30 – May 31, 2011

The West Loop gallery presents Wrest in Peace, a solo exhibition of Dutta’s recent sculptural work, performance documentation, and video installation.

Huma Bhabha @ Rhona Hoffman Gallery ADDED 4/23
Through May 14, 2011

The Karachi-born Bhabha’s “sculptures and photo-drawings address universal themes of colonialism, war, displacement, and memories of home. Made from discarded materials such as clay, chicken wire, leaves, Styrofoam, metal chains, paint and wood, the work in this exhibition evokes a sense of suspended creation and decomposition, as if salvaged from wreckage.”

Last updated March 26

Oh, March! You bring us slightly more glorious weather and so many opportunities to catch Desis in action!

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

Yasmin Nair @ Rudy Lozano Chicago Public Library
Tuesday, March 1 @ 6:00pm

Gender JUST presents a panel discussion on the LGBT agenda called “Gay Inc. & the Struggle Around Marriage, Policing, and War” featuring its own Yasmin Nair, Owen Daniel McCarter of the Transformative Justice Law Project, and Jesus Palafox of American Friends Service Committee.

Falling Petals @ UIC
Wednesday, March 1 – Friday, March 4

Erasing the Distance presents this theatre piece that explores mental health and disability from Asian American perspectives. Performed by Anish Jethmalani, Christine Bunuan, Phil de Guzman, Wannapa Eubanks, and Dwight Sora, with visual art by Alfred Li Tsao and a multilingual art installation by Meredith Siemsen.

Sharmili Majmudar & K. Sujata @ DePaul University
Thursday, March 3 @ 12:30pm

Majmudar, executive director of Rape Victim Advocates, and Sujata, president of the Chicago Foundation for Women, join a panel of Chicago’s leading activists for DePaul’s 7^th Annual Women’s History Luncheon.

The Limits of South Asia @ University of Chicago
Thursday, March 3 – Friday, March 4

The Committee on Southern Asian Studies at the University of Chicago hosts this annual graduate student conference examining the concept of “South Asia.”

ZERO Waste: Fashion Re-Patterned @ Columbia College Chicago
Thursday, March 3 – Saturday, April 16

Curated by fashion design professor Arti Sandhu, this exhibit “attempts to find solutions for dealing with fashion’s waste, as well as challenge fashion systems through their conceptual framework.” Opening reception and gallery talk by Sandhu, March 3, 5-8pm.

Amisha Patel @ Experimental Station ADDED 3/5
Sunday, March 6 @ 3:00pm

Patel, executive director of the Grassroots Collaborative, joins a panel of activists to discuss “Uprising and Elections: A Global Movement for Democracy and Justice?”

Constantine V. Nakassis @ University of Chicago
Thursday, March 10 @ 4:30pm

The university’s South Asia Seminar program presents Constantine V. Nakassis, Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Anthropology, for a talk on South Asian topics.

Eboo Patel @ Chicago Theatre
Thursday, March 10 @ 6:30pm

Patel, founder and director of Interfaith Youth Core, is featured in this week’s installment of the Chicago Tribune’s Chicago Live! series hosted by Rick Kogan. Also featured are Lupe Fiasco, The Second City, columnist Mary Schmich, the filmmakers behind Voices of Cabrini, sustainable food activist Cleetus Friedman, and RedEye columnist Kyra Kyles.

Subcontinental Drift @ The Joynt
Thursday, March 10 @ 7:00pm

This month the South Asian open mic celebrates Holi! First-time performers, amateurs, and professional artists of all backgrounds are equally encouraged to perform.

Ami Saraiya @ Schubas
Thursday, March 10 @ 9:00pm

Vocalist Saraiya and her band The Outcome celebrate the release of a new EP, “Archaelogist,” at one of the best music rooms in the city.

Funkadesi @ Share A Smile Chicago Fundraiser @ Meadows Club ADDED 3/9
Friday, March 11 @ 7:30pm

The nonprofit Share A Smile hosts a dinner featuring live music by Funkadesi, to benefit Sukhdam, a senior care home in India.

Teaching Tolerance—Jitish Kallat’s Public Notice 3 @ Art Institute
Saturday, March 12 @ 9:00am

This half-day workshop explores Kallat’s installation on the museum’s Grand Staircase as a tool for teaching about diversity and global awareness.

Inspiring India @ Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago ADDED 3/10
Saturday, March 12 @ 6:00pm

Natya Dance Theatre welcomes Tanushree Shankar and her dance troupe for a free performance of their original work “Inspiring India,” which they just performed at the Kennedy Center’s maximum INDIA festival.

Celebration of the Muslim Woman @ Double Tree Oakbrook
Sunday, March 13 @ 11:00am

The Muslim Women’s Alliance hosts this luncheon to celebrate Women’s History Month and acknowledge the achievements of Muslim women in philanthropy, community service, and personal development.

Wendy Doniger @ Chicago Cultural Center ADDED 3/9
Sunday, March 13 @ 1:00pm

The (oft-controversial) University of Chicago professor discusses “The Tale of the ‘Clever Wife’ in the Hebrew Bible, Shakespeare, and Ancient India” for the school’s Works of the Mind lecture series.

Aakash Mittal Quartet @ Chicago Cultural Center
Tuesday, March 15 @ 12:15pm

Saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist, composer, and educator Mittal brings his jazz quartet to the Cultural Center’s Tuesday LunchBreak series.

Sharmili Majmudar & Noreen Ahmed-Ullah @ Columbia College Chicago ADDED 3/10
Wednesday, March 16 @ 6:30pm

Majmudar, the executive director of Rape Victim Advocates, and Ahmed-Ullah, a Chicago Tribune reporter,  join a panel of experts to discuss the perils of foreign reporting at “Media Under Fire: The Lara Logan Saga and More.”

Delhi: India’s Economic Momentum & the Infrastructure Challenge @ The Chicago Club ADDED 3/5
Thursday, March 17 @ 7:30am

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Chicago Sister Cities International present this discussion with Varun Bajpai, Chief Executive Officer, SBI Macquarie Infrastructure Management; Rik Geiersbach, Vice President, Corporate Strategy, The Boeing Company; and Rajat Gupta, Senior Partner and Leader, Infrastructure and Power Practice, McKinsey & Company, India as part of the Council’s Focus on India series.

Geeta Rao Gupta @ Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
Friday, March 18 @ 12:00pm

Gupta, the former president of the International Center for Research on Women, speaks about “Transmitting Hope for Women in the HIV/AIDS Pandemic” at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ Women and Global Development Forum.

HOLI! Celebrating India’s Festival of Colors @ Rednofive
Friday, March 18 @ 9:00pm

Bhangratheque presents a fun night of music and dance featuring DJ Jimmy Singh and DJ Krush.

Watch the ICC World Cup: India v. West Indies @ Indo-American Center ADDED 3/9
Sunday, March 20 @ 6:00am

The IAC’s Leadership 21 junior board invites you to join them and other cricket buffs for a viewing of the World Cup.

Gautam Navlakha @ Hull-House Museum ADDED 3/11
Monday, March 21 @ 4:00pm

The journalist/activist speaks about “The Binayak Sen Case: Indian Democracy and its Enemies.”

Muhammud Yunus documentary @ 12 E. Erie ADDED 3/23
Thursday, March 24 @ 6:00pm

The Wright Foundation for Transformational Leadership, Bangladesh 6G, and the Wright Leadership Institute co-host a pre-screening of Bonsai, a documentary about Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The event also features a discussion with filmmaker Holly Mosher and a live satellite interview with Dr. Yunus.

Sheetal Bhagat w/Giordano Jazz Dance @ Harris Theatre ADDED 3/22
Friday, March 25 & Saturday, March 26

Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago restages its popular 2008 work “Taal,” this time with a performance of the song “Ishq Bina” by vocalist Sheetal Bhagat. Save 20% with code JAZZ–order tickets by phone or online.

Kerala Kalamandalam @ Art Institute
Saturday, March 26 @ 11:00am

This troupe of Kathakali dancers performs “The Killing of Dussasana” from the Mahabharata. Free with admission and family-friendly.

Master Class with Ananya Chatterjea @ praxis place
Saturday, March 26 @ 2:00pm

Dancer, choreographer, and scholar Chatterjea leads an advanced technique class based on the Odissi classical style of Indian dance, the martial movement form Chhau, and Iyengar-style yoga.

SILPIX Children’s Film Festival @ Elgin Community College
Saturday, March 26 – Sunday, March 27

SILPIX Entertainment presents the first Indian children’s film fest in the U.S., showcasing 26 films in various Indian languages (with English subtitles) over two full days in Elgin.

Conversation with Ananya Chatterjea @ praxis place
Sunday, March 27 @ 10:00am

Chatterjea leads a dialogue with dancers and choreographers on non-mainstream, non-Western movement aesthetics and the definitions of “contemporary” work.

Ananya Chatterjea @ UIC ADDED 3/24
Monday, March 28 @ 2:00pm

Chatterjea gives a public lecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Bangladesh Sweatshop Worker @ Roosevelt University ADDED 3/24
Monday, March 28 @ 4:30pm

Chicago Jobs with Justice hosts this event featuring a worker from a WalMart sweatshop in Bangladesh. The talk will explore the connection between workers here and abroad who are impacted by the global supply chain created by companies like WalMart.

The Truth That Wasn’t There @ Adler School ADDED 3/22
Wednesday, March 30 @ 5:45pm

Amnesty International is co-sponsoring a free screening of this documentary about the aftermath of the civil war in Sri Lanka. Two of the filmmakers will be in attendance.

Roy Fischel @ University of Chicago
Thursday, March 31 @ 4:30pm

The university’s Theory and Practice in South Asia program presents Roy Fischel of the Department of South Asian Languages & Civilizations for a talk on South Asian topics.

Malalai Joya @ Chopin Theatre ADDED 3/24
Thursday, March 31 @ 7:00pm

Joya, the author of A Woman Among Warlords: The Extraordinary Story of a Woman Who Dared Raise Her Voice, discusses an end to the occupation, women’s rights, and a just solution to the conflict for the people of Afghanistan. It looks like she went through quite a bit of trouble to get her U.S. visa for this speaking tour and has already had to miss some dates, so let’s give her a warm welcome to Chicago, shall we?

Muhammad Yunus documentary @ Landmark Century Centre ADDED 3/26
Thursday, March 31 @ 7:30pm

Another doc about Yunus, To Catch a Dollar: Muhammad Yunus Banks on America, screens tonight.

Homestay & Meal Hosts for Visiting South Asian Leaders Needed
March – April 2011

World Chicago (formerly International Visitors Center of Chicago) is looking for people to host visitors in two capacities in March and April. Contact John Baum for more info.

April 10-May 1: Four legislative aides from South and Central Asia (specifically Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh) will be staying in Chicago “to gain hands-on experience and exposure to democratic institutions in the U.S. for the purpose of promoting democratic reform in their countries.” Homestay hosts are needed.

March 17-22: Women’s rights leaders from Central and South Asia will visit Chicago and be available for professional and social meetings over meals at hosts’ homes.

Indo-American Center Essay Contest ADDED 3/9
March – April 4, 2011

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, eleventh President of India, will be visiting Chicago this April at the invitation of the Indo-American Center.  With the cooperation of the Indo-American Heritage Museum, IAC announces an essay contest honoring Dr. Kalam. Entry deadline is April 4.

Trikone-Chicago Call for Queer South Asian Short Films ADDED 3/9
March – April 1, 2011

Trikone-Chicago announces KalaKranti 2011, an annual festival dedicated to art by and about queer South Asians. This year’s event focuses on short film and is accepting submissions until April 1. Co-presented by the Center for Asian Arts and Media at Columbia College Chicago.

Are you a local South Asian artist committed to social justice and seeking a platform to advance your work and connect with like-minded artists?

The South Asian Progressive Action Collective (SAPAC) is seeking conscious artists (visual and performance artists, musicians, and dancers) for the 10th Annual VOICES OF RESISTANCE art & cultural evening to be held on October 15th, 2011 at Marwen; participating visual artists will be featured in a three-week exhibition at Marwen, opening on Friday, September 30.  We are curating a special VOR event to mark our 10th anniversary: VOR10: REVISION, a retrospective reflecting on the political issues that have faced the South Asian diaspora over the past 10 years–from Islamophobia to war and conflict in South Asia.

Three artists workshops will also be held this summer to provide participants an opportunity to reflect and share issues in their work and prepare their work for VOR10.  Please download the VOR10 Call for Artists for more guidelines and information.

The deadline for entry is April 1, 2011 has been extended to APRIL 15, 2011.

Please complete and return the call along with required supplemental materials via email to vorchicago@gmail.com or via snail mail to

MARWEN
c/o Sabba Syal
833 N. Orleans
Chicago, 60610

We look forward to your participation!

VOR10 Committee (Ahalya, Sabba, Shilpa, & Tina)