Mission

The mission of the Erasing Borders 2009: Festival of Indian Dance is to present Indian dance through its multiplicity of forms and expressions. We wish to engage artists and audiences in exploring a range of aesthetics, issues and perspectives, as we celebrate the rich tradition of Indian dance and nurture exciting new dimensions developing in Indian, American and global contexts.

The festival brings together dancers sharing movement, heritage and inspiration from the Indian subcontinent. It features artists from India and the South Asian Diaspora and the presentations range from traditional classical repertoire to contemporary, modern and post-modern works that are inspired by India or an Indian dance vocabulary.

While arts organizations have been adversely affected by the unexpected economic downturn, we have decided to present the Dance Festival - albeit with a different format. We have developed a series of budget-friendly programming for the "Erasing Borders 2009: Festival of Indian Dance." We thank all the participants, sponsors and supporters for rallying forces with us to make this festival possible.

Goals and Objectives

• Provide a platform for choreographies with high standards of artistic excellence
• Reach diverse audiences and develop appreciation for Indian dance
• Provide a forum for interaction and dialogue between dancers, dance scholars, writers and critics
• Provide a platform for emerging dancers to perform & develop professionally
• Highlight new works of established artists
• Provide a forum for exchange between Indian and non-Indian dancers, choreographers and dance companies
• Develop credibility for the Indian performing art forms within the broader dance and performing arts community