BollyX is a high-energy fitness program that combines dynamic Bollywood-inspired dance with cardio and strength training. Set to the vibrant beats of popular Bollywood music, BollyX classes provide a full-body workout that’s both fun and effective. The routines are designed to be accessible for all fitness levels, incorporating elements of traditional Indian dance with modern fitness techniques. BollyX aims to not only improve physical fitness but also to celebrate culture, encouraging participants to move, sweat, and have fun while exercising.

Chitra Nair is a certified Bharatanatyam and BollyX dancer, as well as a dedicated yoga practitioner with a deep love for exercise and cultural expression. Chitra combines a passion for dance and yoga to inspire movement and celebrate diversity among people of all ages,

Open to ALL levels. No prior dance experience needed. 

Date: November 8, 2024
Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm 
Location: Narrow Bridge Arts Club (6028 S. Champlain Ave, Chicago)

To make our workshops accessible to everyone, we are offering a two-tier ticket pricing system. When purchasing your ticket, please choose the tier that best reflects your financial situation. No proof of income is required; we trust you to select the tier that’s right for you.

• Ticket Price 1: $20 (Full Support): Your support helps sustain our workshops and ensures their continued success.

• Ticket Price 2: $10 (Community Support) We believe that financial barriers shouldn’t prevent you from joining us and benefiting from our workshops.

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This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

Licensed dance/movement therapist and psychotherapist, Ashley Fargnoli brings a workshop to help us listen to our bodies and find our ground. Our bodies respond to stress, trauma and anxiety in many ways. This collective movement space will help participants ground through a guided and interactive movement experience.

We will explore simple movement practices to help self-settle when feeling overwhelmed and to reinstall a sense of strength in our bodies to navigate these uncertain times.

Ashley Fargnoli, MA, BC-DMT, LCPC is a dance/movement therapist and licensed psychotherapist specialized in working in conflict affected countries and with populations who have undergone severe trauma. Originally from the US, she has been residing in Sri Lanka for the past 4.5 years where she was a Fulbright Scholar.

Register here >>

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

In high school, Preeti’s father gave her a checkbook with $50 in the bank account and told her to learn how to manage her money, to regularly balance her checkbook, and plan for the future. Since then, she has been managing her own finances as well as production budgets and company finances.

Budgeting and planning expenses can be overwhelming but with practice, it is a tool that can help create security in uncertain futures. In this workshop, Preeti will offer ways to plan for your future and provide worksheets you can use to also budget and forecast.

>> Register here

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

Here’s a short tutorial on how to make the malas incase you missed it or need a refresher!
Hand mala demostration>>

In collaboration with SpaceShift Collective and SuperKhana International, join us at Shamiana for a pop-up on Devon, featuring multilingual poetry, readings, mala making, and street snacks made especially for the occasion by Chef Zeeshan Shah.

Learn how to create flower malas (garlands) with master mala maker Shanta Veerlapati. For decades, Shanta Veerlapati has been creating gajamalas as spiritual offerings as well as for close family and friends for their special events. You will have the opportunity to learn 2 styles of mala: single strand garlands to use as decor or in your hair with carnations and garlands made with needle and thread using marigolds.

While open to all ages, please keep in mind we will be utilizing sewing needles. No experience needed. All materials will be provided for free.

RSVP here >>

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.