#NewsFlash | Flushing Town Hall Celebrates Diwali with Art, Dance, Food + Music on Nov. 6

It’s the most positive time of year for some religious practitioners. So let’s celebrate!

Flushing Town Hall will facilitate Diwali festivals on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 11 am and again at 2 pm. This seventh annual event, which is in-person and virtual this year, mixes art, dance, food, and music with efforts to follow Covid safety protocols.

Master teaching artist Abha Roy, who is the artist director of the Queens-based Srijan Dance Center, will provide a primer on Bollywood, Bhangra, and Kathak dance moves. She’ll be joined on stage by Angela Rostick and Ling Tang, who will “trade steps” in a cross-cultural conversation of Kathak footwork, American Tap, and Chinese Tibetan Tap.

Then DJ Rekha, who grew up in Flushing and studied at Queens College, will spin Bhangra rhythms for a dance explosion.

In other spots, Queens Curry Kitchen’s Nupur Arora, author of The Vegan Indian Home, will share her cooking skills and secrets. (Arora also owns the EZ Curry line of spices.)

Anju Gupta will teach Rangoli, an Indian decoration style for floors, tabletops, and entrances to houses, before unveiling the winning artwork from Flushing Town Hall’s first-ever Rangoli Design competition.

General admission is only $15 in person and $7 online, thanks to Guru Krupa Foundation’s sponsorship.

As mentioned, Diwali is the most positive time of year for many Hindus, but some Sikhs and Buddhists also celebrate the ritual. It’s a time of solidarity when candles illuminate streets and homes, banishing the darkness of ignorance and suffering. Activities probably derive from Light Goddess Lakshmi’s marriage to Lord Vishnu, but some historians think they emerged from harvest festivals.

Diwali spans a five-day period focused on the new moon with each day connected to a significance ordained by Hindu doctrine. This year, the first day of Diwali is Nov. 4.

Images: Flushing Town Hall

Editor’s note: The Queens Economic Development Corporation and the Divya Jyoti Association have compiled a guide to Diwali shopping in Richmond Hill, where many members of the Indian Diaspora live and own stores. It follows.

Pooja (Worship) Items

Maha Shakti: 124-15 Liberty Ave., (718) 738-1300

Sai Kirpa: 124-01 Liberty Ave., (718) 641-2600

Sai Kirpa: 119-04 Liberty Ave., (718) 480-3326

Namaste: 123-06 Liberty Ave., (718) 848-0048

Rishi Video Palace: 103-44 124th St., (718) 848-4180

Divine Botanica & Spiritual Store: 126-08 Liberty Ave., (718) 880-1858

Annjee’s: 123-08 Liberty Ave., (718) 641-5221

Clothing

Annjee’s Bridal: 123-11 Liberty Ave., (929) 386-0197

Anita’s Fashion Pooja Center: 123-17 Liberty Ave., (718) 739-8350

Shakti Saree & Spiritual: 124-15 Liberty Ave., (718) 738-1300

DJ’s Sari Store: 123-12 Liberty Ave., (718) 641-0009

Chahat Fashion: 114-15 Liberty Ave., (718) 322-2100

Chahat Fashions: 119-11 Liberty Ave., (718) 322-2100

Bela Herbal Beauty & Boutique: 124-09A Liberty Ave., (917) 602-9393

Indian Fashion House: 116-02 101st Ave., (347) 684-9130

Sugam Fashion House: 109-02 101st Ave., (718) 501-1987

Sanskriti USA Inc.: 108-20 101st Ave., (718) 659-5000

Vaanishyam: 128-02 Rockaway Blvd., (347) 829-8524

Amrita Fashion: 114-18 Liberty Ave., (718) 529-3100

Piron Fashion: 120-19 Liberty Ave., (347) 233-2369

New East West Fashion II: 121-12 Liberty Ave., (347) 960-7101

Henna Fashion Inc.: 120-21 Liberty Ave., (929) 499-3166

Neena Boutique: 120-21 Liberty Ave., (929) 499-3166

Flowers

Diya Flowers by Shanta: 130-14 Liberty Ave., (718) 322-3301

Blossom Marimuthu: 98-03 101st Ave., (929) 350-4366

Floral Explosion: 101-05 120th St., (718) 441-1140