Category: Announcements
Updates not related to our classes, performances, or programs (such as important changes or new features for our website).
Happy Holi!
Wishing all of our families, friends, and students a very happy Holi, the festival of colors. Holi – or Phagu Purnima – celebrates the start of spring. Photo by National Geographic
Vajrayogini Dance at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum
Senior dancer, Tasherit Sturm Dahal, will be performing the Vajrayogini dance, a charya nritya, or meditative Buddhist dance, as part of Kites of Asia, a free family program at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum this Saturday from 10:30-3 pm. The Vajrayogini is a rare and beautiful dance in which the qualities of a… Continue reading Vajrayogini Dance at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum
It’s Nyepi! The Day of Silence in Bali
Nyepi, or the Saka New Year, arrives after the new moon in Bali, Indonesia. This year the holiday falls on March 9. Devotees participate in Hindu religious processions for three days prior to the festival. Nyepi Eve has a wide range of traditional customs including parades of the ogoh-ogoh (demons), village meetings, purification ceremonies, bhuta… Continue reading It’s Nyepi! The Day of Silence in Bali
Maha Shivaratri
Kathmandu is expecting over 1.1 devotees to throng Pashupatinath Temple on March 7, 2016 for Maha Shivaratri, one of the most important Hindu festivals, which celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva with goddess Parvati. People observe a fast and perform six rituals for purification and to show their virtue. Vigils are held on the temple… Continue reading Maha Shivaratri
Kites of Asia
Gather your family and friends and join us for Kites of Asia, a day of free family programs at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, including (of course!) amazing kites, Himalayan dance and music, performances, mask making, and more! Grab the kids for an unforgettable day of entertainment and discovery from 10:30 am to… Continue reading Kites of Asia
Visaic’s New EP Released!
The New Year is off to a great start: We’re just thrilled to be announcing the debut release of our own artist-in-residence, Visaic, today. Check out his album and collection of singles on https://visaic.bandcamp.com/, https://soundcloud.com/visaic, and https://goo.gl/9hak6L and more. We happen to think his original cover art is pretty amazing too. Congrats, V!
Happy New Year 2016!
To all our friends, students, fellow artists, and their families both here and abroad – best wishes for a happy, healthy, prosperous, and dynamic New Year from all of us at Utpalasia! We look forward to sharing another year of cultural exchange, artistic development, and fruitful collaboration with you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wishing everyone a safe, bountiful, and happy Thanksgiving! From all of us at Utpalasia to you and your loved ones, thank you for your support and encouragement as we keep on sharing our Himalayan heritage through dance, music, and the arts.
Celebrate Tihar, the Nepali Festival of Lights!
Come and join us as we partner with Curry in a Hurry in Dumfries, Virginia to celebrate Tihar (Deepawali) on Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 6-8 pm. Bring your family and friends to hear traditional Himalayan music and see village folk dance while enjoying Newari specialties, such as choila, and other tempting Nepali and Indian… Continue reading Celebrate Tihar, the Nepali Festival of Lights!