-- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --
INDULGE IN THE ARTISTIC FLAVORS OF SOUTH ASIA: ArtWallah 2004
Fifth Annual Arts Festival of the South Asian Diaspora
JUNE 3, 2004, LOS ANGELES – The works of over 80 artists will be accessible to a greater number of festival patrons at this summer's ArtWallah 2004, from July 8-11. Having a solid track-record of sold-out performances and an ever-increasing number of artists submitting from across the globe, ArtWallah's overwhelming community and artist support has warranted a move to a larger venue: Barnsdall Gallery Theater and Art Park in Los Feliz. Over 2,500 are expected to attend the four-day mélange of film, dance, theater, literature, visual arts, music, panels and workshops.
"As the festival continues to grow, we are mindful in maintaining its grassroots appeal, and to that end, ensure that it provides a forum for established, emerging and aspiring artists alike to create, present, collaborate and simply to meet in an intimate, accessible environment," says Festival Co-Administrator, Paula Roy-Burman. ArtWallah celebrates the talents of a diverse community with ethnic roots in the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, but with current residences outside of South Asia such as in the U.S., Britain and the Caribbean Islands. It is this "diasporic" element that catalyzes the fusion of ideas, thoughts, experiences and values, producing a hybrid identity drawing both from ethnic roots and from new or adopted homelands. The result is a unique perspective and manner of expression, which sets these artists and their work into categories separate from traditional art forms. The festival is produced not only to raise awareness and provide a platform for the growing South Asian diaspora, but also to instill inspiration and creativity amongst artists and art patrons.
The works found in ArtWallah are a reflection of reality and world events, through the eyes of South Asians. The following is a sampling of what artistic flavors you may encounter at this year's festival: Reading from her debut novel, Madras on Rainy Days, Samina Ali's haunting prose explores a first generation Muslim Indo-American woman's hidden world behind the veil. Canadian-based music group, Lal, blends down-tempo beats with trip hop and hip-hop, evocative of sounds from different lands. Mita Ghosal, disguised as a cow, tells a liberating lesson about society through her dance theater piece, entitled "Bovinatrix". Shailja Patel's workshop, "How Big is Your Voice" explores the silenced voices in ourselves, our communities and our global society through exercises based in yoga, mime, breath work, writing and vocalization. Sharat Raju's short film, "American Made," comically depicts an American Sikh family stranded in the desert and the dawning realization that the father's turban is preventing any roadside assistance. Was that enough to whet your appetite? The complete festival line-up will be announced in mid-June.
The festival kicks off on Thursday evening at 8:00 p.m. with a live concert in Barnsdall's outdoor amphitheater featuring an eclectic, but energetic mix of music artists. Friday evening opens with a wine and cheese gallery reception at 6:00 p.m., featuring visual artists and live DJ. Saturday and Sunday daytime programs include outdoor concerts, film screenings, literature readings, gallery tours, panel discussions, and theater and dance performances beginning at noon. The Evening Show, a program encompassing the full spectrum of the festival in three hours, runs Friday at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are now on sale and additional information is available at www.artwallah.org.
Organizers invite the public and media to the official launch party on June 13 at 9:00 p.m. at Cinespace in Hollywood to get a taste of the ArtWallah "vibe" prior to the July festival. The celebration will give attendees an opportunity to mingle with select artists while DJs spin hip hop, bhangra and club beats against a backdrop of vibrant on-screen Bollywood images. All proceeds go towards supporting the 2004 festival and its artists.
ABOUT ARTWALLAH
ArtWallah, a non-profit organization, fosters expressions of the South Asian diaspora while creating and promoting communication between artists and diverse communities. The organization produces the ArtWallah Festival, an annual arts festival showcasing dance, film, literature, music, spoken word, theater, and visual arts works rooted in the South Asian diaspora. For more information, visit www.artwallah.org or email info@artwallah.org
LISTING
ARTWALLAH 2004
Fifth Annual Arts Festival of the South Asian Diaspora
FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE
Thursday, July 8 - Sunday, July 11
Barnsdall Art Park
4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles 90027
(Enter from Hollywood Blvd. just west of Vermont Ave.)
Free Parking
FESTIVAL KICK-OFF, Thursday @ 8pm
an evening of live music under the stars...
$15 advance/$20 at door (includes complimentary drink)
Bring your blankets and refreshments
GALLERY RECEPTION, Friday @ 6pm
mingle against a backdrop of visual arts and DJed beats...
Free to the public
EVENING SHOWS, Friday @ 8pm, Saturday/Sunday @ 7:30pm
spotlighting performers across all art forms...
$21 advance/$30 at door
Buy now - the show sells out!
DAYTIME EVENTS, Saturday/Sunday @ noon onwards
film screenings, gallery tours, literature readings, panels, outdoor
concerts, and more...
$5 suggested donation at door
Tickets on sale now at www.artwallah.org
The box office opens onsite one hour before the show, and is open all day on Saturday and Sunday. Seating will begin half hour before each show commences.
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