MainStage Irving-Las Colinas will not present the usual drama or musical to open its 2017-18 season. Instead, the theater company will let…
MainStage Irving-Las Colinas will not present the usual drama or musical to open its 2017-18 season. Instead, the theater company will let audiences experience India in a show called Rang De! Color Me India. The production opens Friday for a three-week run at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Produced by the thinkIndia Foundation, the Broadway-style show will feature classical music and dance as well as Bollywoood-style numbers to tell the story of a country rich in culture and color. An ensemble of more than 40 singers, dancers and actors from throughout the community will perform. Along with the entertainment, guests can sample Indian cuisine in a bazaar that will be set up in the lobby.
MainStage board members worked on the partnership with thinkIndia for more than a year. Board president Clayton Cunningham said the company is excited to be collaborating with the talented arts group.
“Irving is an extremely diverse city and we are looking forward to forging new relationships for our audiences, ” Cunningham said.
K. “Ravi” Srinivasan, president of thinkIndia, also was enthusiastic about the partnership.
“Together we bring a unique integration of diversity to serve our community, ” Srinivasan said. “We look forward to continued creative collaboration with MainStage.”
Tickets are $21-$28. To order, call 972-252-2787 or visit irvingartscenter.com. Politics and business
Two Korean organizations just hosted dinners focusing on two issues — politics and business. At Sura Korean Bistro in Dallas, the Korean American Coalition DFW Chapter drew about 200 guests to its annual banquet, where the theme was “Empowerment: Now and Beyond.” The speaker, Mark Keam of Virginia, encouraged involvement in civic and community affairs. A Korean-American, he’s the first Asian-born immigrant to serve in the Virginia General Assembly.
Other speakers touted the accomplishments of the local chapter, such as promoting voter registration, hosting political forums and providing free citizenship application assistance. The event included the presentation of scholarships and cultural entertainment. To learn more, visit kacdfw.com .
A few days later, the Greater Dallas Korean American Chamber hosted a dinner at the Omni Park West in Dallas.
It was all about business at this dinner, where speakers expressed appreciation to the chamber for promoting and helping Korean businesses. Some mentioned the success of the Asia Trade Zone in northwest Dallas, which is a busy hub of commerce for mostly Korean businesses.
The chamber also inaugurated its new president, Seung Ho Lee. Entertainment was by Mira Im, who sang “Nessun Dorma” from the opera Turandot. Organist wins first prize
Organist Yunjung Lee, a graduate student at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts, won first prize in the inaugural Asia International Organ Competition. The event was held in July in Taipei, Taiwan. The prize includes a cash award of $3,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to perform a recital in China.
Lee is a native of Busan, South Korea. As a teenager, she was a church accompanist on piano. With a growing passion for organ and church music, she went on to earn a degree in organ performance at Yonsei University in Seoul. She is currently organist at First United Lutheran Church in Dallas, where she plays the tracker organ by renowned builder Karl Wilhelm.
Upcoming events
Wednesday
“Self Care Matters: Ayurvedic Wisdom for the Modern You” will be from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays in September at the Trammell Crow Center, 2001 Ross Ave., Suite 3550, in Dallas. The cost is free for members; $10 per class; or $35 for the series. To register, go to bit.ly/2fOON7e .
Thursday
The World Affairs Council presents a program at noon featuring the Honorable Tetsuro Amano, consul general of Japan in Houston, at the Intercontinental Hotel, 15201 Dallas Parkway in Addison. Amano will talk about “The Japan-U. S Alliance.” The cost is $35 for members and $50 for others. To register, visit dfwworld.org.
Friday
The Ikebana International Fort Worth Chapter No. 38 will celebrate its 25th anniversary during the 2017-18 year. The September program, which will launch the Silver Anniversary Year and feature an “All Members’ Ikebana Exhibition, ” video presentation of memories, raffle of Ikebana arrangements and lunch, is set for 9: 30 a.m. at the Texas Garden Club, 3111 Old Garden Road in Fort Worth. For details, email fort-worth@ikebanahq.org or call 817-988-6360.
Friday-Sunday
Living Yoga Dallas will host three days of yoga and meditation taught by Rod Stryker at Cedar Crest Golf Club 1800 Southerland Ave. in Dallas. All levels welcome. For details, email info@livingyogadallas.com .
Sunday
The Aga Khan Foundation will host a community day of service from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center, 2500 Dickerson Parkway in Carrollton. Multiple shifts can help with packing meals for those in need. Register at http: //bit.ly/2gCrrSz .
Sept. 16
The Japan-America Society will host its fourth annual Sun & Star Golf Classic at 11: 30 a.m. at Cowboys Golf Club, 1600 Fairway Drive in Grapevine. Find more at jasdfw.org .
Twitter: @debbiewfleck
