Aruna’s Arangetram

Posted on June 8, 2010

For several years, Aruna has been studying Bharathanatyam, a classical Indian dance originating in Tamil Nadu, India.  Later this month, Aruna will be presented by her dance teacher at her Arangetram for her debut on-stage performance.  We had the pleasure of taking some photos for Aruna in anticipation of this major event in the life of a dancer.

Small Victories Project – Children’s Charity Dance-Off

Posted on December 11, 2009

Last month, Blue Lotus Photography had the pleasure of covering the Children’s Charity Dance-Off held by the Small Victories Project (www.svpmovement.org,) a non-profit group recently started by our cousin, Divya Jassal.  In just a short time, the Small Victories Project (SVP) has made some significant strides- most notably achieving government recognition as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

The Children’s Charity Dance-Off, held last month at Congressional Middle School in Falls Church, Virginia, was  SVP’s premiere charity event and we really enjoyed being surrounded by such youthful talent.

A lot of us supposed “old-folk” have memories of being young and doing something on stage for the first time.  We had access backstage and seeing these kids nervous and excited at the same time was certainly a throwback to more carefree times.  The kids came off that stage proud, relieved, and welcomed by loving family and friends.

If you need a Fix(ation)…

Posted on November 11, 2009

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Fixation opening at the Connor Contemporary Art Center this past Saturday night.  I thought it was a great turn out for all the photographers despite the innocuous presence of the Metro Police Department.  I heard they were hitting on the women more than patrolling who got free Pabst Blue Ribbon.  I’m sure my 16 year-old cousin was happy about that.

Special thanks goes out to Pooja for getting all our friends together for the event.  It’s been an exciting time for Blue Lotus Photography and the both of us hope it keeps up.

If you had you photo taken by “Fast Car” Tracy in front of the makeshift mural, you can check the photos on the Pink Line Project’s Flickr page.

Here’s a copy of my accompanying essay that was up with the photos.  Have a read if you missed out on Saturday…

“STD!  STD!  STD! STD! STD!”

Any latecomer to the sold out U.S. Regional Air Guitar Championships at the 9:30 Club this past summer may have wondered what they were walking into.  A chant proclaiming sexually transmitted diseases is peculiar enough, but on this night the crowd was cheering for Sanjar The Destroyer, whom had just finished rocking out to “Wayward Son” by the band Kansas.

In a city where strings are pulled and power moves are made daily, a group of guitarists gathered backstage at arguably the best DC music venue; all in hopes of wowing a crowd without the use of real strings, without the use of an amplifier, without the use of a dreamy lead singer.  All they had were thirty seconds, an outfit to make Hendrix jealous, and the baddest windmills, duck walks, and shred moves ever played on… well, air.

From fifteen contestants and two rounds of elimination, two guitar heroes were left standing:  Sanjar the Destroyer (STD) and Lance “The Shred” Kasten.  Even with a scoring criteria based on stage presence, technical merit, and “airness,” it wasn’t enough to proclaim a winner.

An “Air-Off” would be required…

The judge: the audience.

The band:  Boston.

The instrument:  humid Washington, DC summer air.

So who won?  The answer is in the air.

- Amit Mehta

Bhangra Dance Classes in Washington, DC

Posted on November 6, 2009

Jay Patel has already brought bhangra dance to your home via his popular DVD, Bhangra Beats. Now, you have the opportunity to work up a sweat at his bhangra classes held every Wednesday from 7-8PM at the Washington Sports Club in Dupont Circle.  Jay’s music selections are great and his instruction style caters to every level.  Check him out!

Moonlight Over Washington: The Capital Fringe Festival

Posted on August 13, 2009

Cirque du’ SAPAN

The 4th annual Capital Fringe Festival (www.capfringe.org) was held last month in Washington, DC to show that the city is more than a municipality of government offices and tourists.  The Festival’s purpose is to enlighten art-centric locals to celebrate the city’s innovators, musicians, dancers, and actors.

This year’s Fringe Festival, held between July 9th – July 27th, 2009, invaded the area between Penn Quarter and Mount Vernon Square, filling the downtown nighttime air with music, dance, and comedy.  Across 19 locations, nearly 150 shows were performed throughout the two+ week schedule.

Pooja and I had the honor of photographing our friends from The SAPAN Institute (www.sapanarts.org), a non-profit organization designed to promote South Asian arts and culture within the DC community.   As part of the Festival, they performed a 60 minute show entitled “Cirque Du’ SAPAN” at the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church (The Mountain). Check out the photos from the performances.  Let us know what you think…

Yoni Ki Baat at the DC Arts Center

Posted on August 10, 2009

Saheli 2 Saheli recently brought the show, Yoni Ki Baat, to the DC Arts Center in Adams Morgan.  Yoni Ki Baat (talk of the vagina) is a South Asian American interpretation of the Vagina Monologues. This show was initially performed by the South Asian Sisters in Berkeley, California. The show has been produced at the University of Michigan, Rutgers, Chicago, and in other cities.

Proceeds from the show were donated to the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP) in the Washington, D.C. area.

Next Page »