Katha Dance Theatre and the Ritz Theater Foundation Lights the “Black Candle” – June 22-25 Sponsored by the Minnesota Women’s Press

Performance Plans to Illuminate the Sorrows and Strengths of Today’s South Asian Women Through the Award-Winning Poetry of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Performance Plans to Illuminate the Sorrows and Strengths of Today’s South Asian Women Through the Award-Winning Poetry of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

April 18, 2006 – Minneapolis, MN – Katha Dance Theatre, an organization devoted to creating innovative performances of classical Indian Kathak dance, and the Ritz Theater Foundation will deliver a tribute to women of today’s Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan to the Twin Cities. Based on the award-winning poetry of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, “Black Candle” will honor the lives of today’s South Asian women through the elegant medium of Kathak dance. The concert will shed light on controversial topics such as gender discrimination, child marriage, and the living goddess while celebrating the strength and beauty South Asians continue to exemplify throughout the world. “Black Candle,” sponsored by the Minnesota Women’s Press, will run from June 22-25 at the newly restored Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis.

Kathak originated thousands of years ago in North India as a story-telling dance form. Katha Dance Theatre has delivered numerous, innovative performances in the Twin Cities for almost 20 years. The Theatre also provides professional Kathak dance education to over 100 students of all age and experience levels. “Black Candle” will include performances from professional company members and dance apprentices. Katha Dance Theatre Artistic Director Rita Mustaphi is eager to bring the performance back to the Twin Cities.