• By Mabel Pais

Over 60 writers and poets light up New York City to celebrate the Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC.us) spectacular Renaissance Weekend November 18-19! The Literary Festival (iaac.us/books) will feature over 60 of the world’s most acclaimed Indian authors, influencers, and luminaries. Bring your family and friends to one of the biggest gatherings in North America. The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC)’s 2023 Literary Festival, takes place on November 18th and 19th at the Hotel Conrad New York Downtown, 102 North End Ave, New York, NY 10282. The Literary Festival is FREE to the public.

This year’s festival is set to be an extraordinary Renaissance Weekend, a celebration of literature, culture, and intellectual discourse. Rub elbows with Pulitzer Prize winners and New York Times bestsellers at the largest gathering of celebrated global Indian talent in North America. Hear inspiring ideas, enjoy illuminating discussions, and make personal connections that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Among the distinguished lineup of authors and thought leaders, IAAC has the privilege of hosting Jose Thomas, recipient of IAAC’s 2023 Trail Blazer Award, who will discuss his biography ‘By Choice’. Additionally, the festival will feature Pulitzer Prize winner Vijay Seshadri, National Book Award finalist Sarah Thankam Mathews, Grammy-nominated artist, humanitarian, and author Chandrika Tandon and the accomplished actor and Lambda Literary Award winner, Maulik Pancholy amongst 60+ other luminaries from the literary world. In continuation of its honored tradition, IAAC will also host a live Poetry Panel led by poetry curator, Dr. Ravi Shankar. Prabha Khaitan Foundation will be co-presenting two sessions.

“As the Literary Festival Director, my passion is to weave stories and conversations that not only inspire but also highlight the rich fabric of human experiences.”, said Preethi Urs, Literary Festival Director.

 This literary feast promises to be a weekend of engaging discussions, thought-provoking conversations, and a celebration of literature. For the complete Festival schedule and session details, visit iaac.us/books.

RSVP

RSVP is required, although all sessions of the event are FREE to attend.

GALA

The weekend culminates in the Annual Gala on November 19th – an appropriate celebration of the holiday season! The event starts at 6 pm at the same venue.

All of the Literary Festival authors and moderators will be attending this gala.

IAAC bids a farewell to its Chief Patron Consul General Randhir Jaiswal before he departs for his new post in India. Trailblazer businessman Jose Thomas will be honored as the 2023 IAAC honoree.

And that’s not all – direct from India, the legendary Queen of Indian Pop, Usha Uthup will ignite the stage and get you on your feet with her irresistible music and energy! An evening of dining, dancing, and delight!

TICKETS

Purchase tickets to the Gala at iaac.us/annual-gala-2023.

The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC)

Learn more at iaac.us.

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CHOREOGRAPHIC AUTEUR RETHINKS JUNGLE BOOK

• By Mabel Pais 

AKRAM KHAN, choreographic auteur rooted in the Kathak dance tradition (akramkhancompany.net) who has had a two-decade relationship with Lincoln Center producing a half-dozen masterpieces, brings us yet another reinvention.

His latest work, a rethinking of the Rudyard Kipling classic ‘The Jungle Book,’ updates the original’s colonizer-centric perspective to tell the story of the young girl Mowgli as a refugee child stranded by the cruel realities of climate change. This family-friendly and narrative-driven production features an original score by BAFTA and Olivier Award-winning composer Jocelyn Pook, a cast of ten international dancers, and a stage bursting with state-of-the-art animation and visual projections. This is a Jungle Book retold with nuanced beauty and devastating immediacy that expresses a universal need for connection and a deep respect for the natural world.

WHAT:  JUNGLE BOOK REIMAGINED

WHERE: Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater

WHEN:  November 16-18, 2023 at 7:30 pm

FOR WHOM: Ages 10+

RUN TIME:  2 hours, approximately 

KEY CREDITS:

Creative Team

Director/Choreographer: Akram Khan

Creative Associate/Coach: Mavin Khoo

Writer: Tariq Jordan

Dramaturgical Advisor: Sharon Clark

Composer: Jocelyn Pook

HEALTH & SAFETY

For health and safety protocols, visit lincolncenter.org/series/lincoln-center-presents/jungle-book-reimagined

TICKETS

To make the arts more accessible, tickets are available on a Choose-What-You-Pay basis. Learn more at lincolncenter.org/series/lincoln-center-presents/jungle-book-reimagined

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LEGENDARY EMPRESS OF SOUL PERFORMS IN NJ

 

• By Mabel Pais

Gladys Knight, the Empress of Soul-seven-Time Grammy Award winner, performs live at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, November 12th, at 7:00 p.m. Gladys Knight never disappoints by putting on a high-energy show performing all of her hits that stand the test of time and the songs that everyone knows and loves like ‘Midnight Train to Georgia,’ ‘Heard it Through The Grapevine,’ ‘That’s What Friends Are For,’ and so much more.

Knight is one of the most influential soul and R&B voices of all time. Gladys Knight and the Pips joined the famous Motown Records label in 1966 and won three Grammy Awards, and she garnered four more Grammy Awards as a solo artist. Gladys Knight was bestowed with the National Medal of the Arts for her contributions and influences on American culture. This is the highest honor given to artists and art patrons by the United States Government.

Knight was born in Atlanta and rose to fame as the lead singer of ‘Gladys Knight & the Pips,’ later establishing herself as a famous solo artist. Knight has two No. 1 Billboard singles, ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ and ‘That’s What Friends Are For,’ which she recorded in 1986 with Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Dionne Warwick — along with 11 No. 1 R&B singles and six No. 1 R&B albums, the Deseret News reported.

TICKETS

For Tickets to see Gladys Knight, visit the NJPAC Box Office or NJPAC.org or call 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722)

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

Learn more at njpac.org.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)