--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
TANTALIZE YOUR SENSES AND GROOVE TO THE TEMPO @ TANTRIC: ArtWallah 2005 Launch Party
JUNE 3, 2005, LOS ANGELES, CA – ArtWallah announces its official Festival Launch Party, Tantric at the notable Concorde of Hollywood. The scene promises to tantalize the ears, be easy on the eyes, and provide music for partygoers to groove to downtempo, electronica, hip hop, and bhangra provided by a slate of renowned artists. This year’s Launch Party on Thursday, June 23 rd marks the beginning of celebrations for the 6 th Annual Arts Festival of the South Asian Diaspora, to be held at Barnsdall Art Park and Gallery Theatre in Hollywood from July 7 th – 10 th, 2005.
ArtWallah is the only South Asian Art Festival of its kind on the North American Continent and is well-respected for its mission to promote South Asian diasporic art, further demonstrated by incredible media sponsors: MTV Desi (MTV’s newest branch dedicated to South Asia in the US and abroad) and Rave*SQ (contemporary high-profiled South Asian Magazine with distribution at all Hudson News Stands). The Festival's impact continues to stretch beyond the South Asian community to all progressive, artistic communities and continues to attract diverse audiences and artists across the globe.
June 23 rd’s Tantric will be no exception as DJ/Producers Karsh Kale (Six Degrees Records), Govinda (Intentcity Records) and local favorite Sandeep Kumar share the ones-and-twos at Hollywood hot-spot, The Concorde. Setting the tone and getting patrons in the mood will be Govinda. This talented producer with a background in classical composition will mesmerize ears with exquisitely produced tracks with a distinctive funky-gypsy sound. His musical infusion draws influence from Middle Eastern, Indian, Celtic, and Flamenco styles. The resultant blend is milky, sensual, and danceable often described as “classical Indian music meets Cirque du Soleil”. Turning up the tempo a notch with percussive beats, Karsh Kale will bridge sounds from the organic to the electric. Accompanied by Govinda’s live violin, Karsh’s set will journey through the many faces of Asian Underground including his own epic tracks. From sounds of dhol to essences of taal, from lively percussions to rhythmic downtempo, Karsh’s set should not be missed! Closing out the night, and upping the energy to a climax, is DJ Sandeep Kumar. Mixing lively beats and vocals from the genres of hip hop and bhangra, and throwing down remixes both rare and original, this is Sandeep’s third time playing at an ArtWallah party. “I like the concept of ArtWallah,” explains Sandeep, presenting and representing “music that’s not completely American or South Asian, it’s both—a true reflection of us.”
Come join us this Thursday, June 23 rd, get Tantric, and find out what ArtWallah is truly about!
FESTIVAL SYNOPSIS
The works of over 80 artists will be showcased at the Sixth Annual ArtWallah Festival, from July 7 th–10 th at Barnsdall Art Park and Gallery Theatre in Hollywood. The festival kicks off on Thursday evening at 8:00 pm with an outdoor music concert, The Blend, a presentation by ArtWallah and MTV Desi. Set under the stars on Barnsdall's expansive lawn with views of the LA basin, the line-up features an eclectic and energetic mix of musicians. Friday evening opens with a wine and cheese gallery reception at 6:00 pm, featuring visual artists, live DJ set and a special performance by violin maestro, Parmela Attariwala. 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 spanning the spectrum of festival artists in a two hour+ program, runs Friday at 8:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday at 7:30 pm.
ABOUT ARTWALLAH
ArtWallah, a non-profit organization fosters expressions of the South Asian Diaspora while creating and promoting dialogue 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 1 (ARTWALLAH LAUNCH PARTY)
TANTRIC – ArtWallah Festival Launch Party
tantalize your sense, groove to the tempo…
Thursday, June 23 rd
@ The Concorde
1835 N. Cahuenga Blvd. , Hollywood CA
Featuring: Sensual, gypsy-funk and live violin by Govinda (Intentcity Records), percussive and epic Asian Underground and electronica mixes by Karsh Kale (Six Degrees Records), and beat-laden hip hop and bhangra spun by DJ Sandeep Kumar.
Doors open: 9:30 pm
Tickets: $15 at the door
Presale Tickets: $12 till June 20th.
(Go to www.paypal.com, login in to your account and "send money" to give@artwallah.org.)
LISTING 2 (ARTWALLAH FESTIVAL)
ARTWALLAH 2005
Sixth Annual Arts Festival of the South Asian Diaspora
Barnsdall Art Park and Gallery Theatre
4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
(Enter from Hollywood Blvd. just west of Vermont Ave.)
Free Parking
FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE
Thursday, July 7 th - Sunday, July 10 th
FESTIVAL KICK-OFF, Thursday @ 8pm
ArtWallah and MTV Desi Present: The Blend
a nite of music under the stars featuring an artwallah-palooza of bands...
$15 advance/$20 at door (includes complimentary drink)
Bring your blankets and refreshments
GALLERY RECEPTION, Friday @ 6pm
mingle against a backdrop of visual arts, musical performance and deejayed beats...
Free to the public
THE EVENING SHOW, 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 via web www.groovetickets.com, or by phone 877.71.GROOVE (877.714.7668).
Tickets are also available at GrooveTickets Outlets:
DMC Records - ( 323) 651-3520 - 7619 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Higher Source - ( 714) 965-5997 - 9122 Adams Ave, Huntington Beach, CA
92646
Mileage Clubware - ( 858) 581-1285 - 951 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109
For more information visit www.artwallah.org/festival or email info@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.
###