BALAM Dance Theatre Set for International Dharma Conference

BALAM Dance Theatre (BALAM) debuts at the Global Dharma Conference (GDC) in Hindu Students Council Presents Sounds of Harmony. The classical concert will be performed at the NJ Convention & Exposition Center, located at 97 Sunfield Avenue in Edison, New Jersey, on Saturday, September 12, 2015. The doors open at 8:00 p.m.

BALAM will premiere a new piece, The Triumph of Dharma, a Balinese modern fusion dance inspired by the Hindu epic, Ramayana. The company, a New York City-based world dance ensemble that performs frequently in various settings, offers a new vision of contemporary world dance inspired by Balinese theatre combined with ballet, modern and diverse cultural dance styles from around the world and historic periods.

At the request of presenter Hindu Students Council (HSC), BALAM created the new piece especially for this international event. The performance features ten dancers from BALAM Dance Theatre and collaborator Coyote Dancers. The dancers performing in this new piece represent an international line-up. BALAM Resident Balinese Artist Nani Devi performs an excerpt of traditional Balinese dance to Gong Kebyar gamelan music and also appears as Trijata, Sita's friend and confidant. Dancer and Japanese Noh Theatre actor Toshinori Hamada takes to the stage as the demon king Rahwana. Principal ballerina Robin Gilbert dances the role of Sita, Rama's wife.

BALAM's artistic director and choreographer Carlos Fittante performs the role of Prince Rama. He has studied extensively Balinese dance and toured several times in Bali. Fittante, who is also a Baroque dance specialist and co-choreographer with the prestigious Boston Early Music Festival, created the choreography for this new piece. Hamada and Coyote Dancers' Maher Benham developed the choreography for the fight scene.

Featured special guest artist Boonyarith Te Pankamdech from Coyote Dancers joins BALAM's talented team. Originally from Thailand, Pankamdech debuts with BALAM as Hanuman the Monkey King. Five modern dancers from Coyote Dancer also perform in this production.

International Conference and Concert

Three thousand people from over 20 countries are expected to attend the three-day international conference that begins on Friday, September 11 and continues through Sunday, September 13. The three day event attended by students, youth and others from over 20 countries and more than 50 universities and colleges. The unique blend of thought provoking sessions and discussions on Hindu tradition and practices, blissful Yoga and meditation workshops, fun-filled dances, thrilling performances and other activities.

In addition to BALAM Dance Theatre, the concert presents these diverse classical musicians and performers: flute virtuoso Rakesh Chaurasia, mandolin virtuoso U Rajesh, Ghatam (Indian clay pot) Virtuoso Giridhar Udupa, composer and percussionist Rajeev Mahavir, Rachna Sarang Academy of Performing Arts, and Ashwin "AKS" Subramanian.

Tickets, ranging from $25 to $125, to attend the concert may be purchased at www.sulekha.com or call 732-857-0581 or 732-322-3895. For more information about the concert and the conference, visit http://dharmaconference.com/.

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