It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of the Indo-American Arts Council and Aroon Shivdasani. I’ve been attending their beautifully organized events ever since I can remember starting to feel a Desi passion and I know I can always expect high standards and great class. But the mission of the IAAC is not limited to broadcasting Indian films or publicizing Desi writers. Its greatness lies in the IAAC’s broad appeal, the great diversity of interests they spark in their aficionados, as well as their repertoire of great dance, thought-provoking book launches, stunning fashion shows and fascinating art.

And if summer is just around the corner, you know the Erasing Borders dance festival is not very far. In fact, this year the dance extravaganza will take place from June 4th through the 6th. The festival will comprise of two concerts, a quartet of panel discussions and workshops, as well as an Informal Performance which will close the festival on Sunday, at 4 pm.

The first concert will take place on Friday, June 4th, at 8 pm, at Asia Society, which BTW is a great space for dance viewing. Friday’s performance will feature Odissi dancer Shipra Mehrotra, Bharata Natyam dancer/choreographer, as well as Yoga practitioner Navtej Johar, who is pictured at top, Jazz dancer and choreographer Cynthia Lee, the Garba/Bhangra dance team Wanted Ashiqz and the contemporary Kathak Parul Shah Dance Company, which left me smitten the last time around.

On Saturday at 8 pm, the performance will feature Bharata Natyam dancer Mythili Prakash, intercultural, multidisciplinary performer and choreographer Sheetal Gandhi, the vibrant and fresh Ailey II dancers, again Parul Shah Dance Company and last but not least, another personal favorite Mesma S. Belsare, who is always a beautiful sight to behold!

The workshops will run on Saturday from noon to 5.30 pm and on Sunday from noon to 3.30 pm, while the Informal Performance will ’shut it down’ - as a certain favorite fashion icon is known to say when things are so beautiful they simply cannot be followed by anyone or anything! - starting at 4 pm.

Bob Marley so poignantly sang “Forget your troubles and dance” and we certainly all have a lot of collective troubles to forget these days… So, don’t be left out of the fun and purchase your tickets for this magical event from the Asia Society Box Office. Save a dance for me!