#NewsFlash | Flushing Town Hall Celebrates Diwali with Art, Dance, Food + Music on Nov. 6
BY QEDC It's In Queens
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