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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 29, 2024 | The Indian Eye 14

Diwali Dance Fest Takes the Stage at Walt

Disney World Resort for a Second Year

Diwali Dance festival DDF Parade. Photos: Geo Media Co.

OUR BUREAU the young performers- sharing their
art and heritage on an iconic stage
Lake Buena Vista, FL
at Walt Disney World was beyond
fter making history in 2023, inspiring. To watch these dancers
Diwali Dance Fest returned to proudly celebrate our traditions in a
AWalt Disney World Resort for place that means so much to so many
a second year with over 300 dancers was both emotional and magical. It
from across North America. Directed was a powerful reminder of how our
and produced by Jeanie Beri, founder culture continues to shine through
of Jashn Productions, the festival of the next generation, and I couldn’t
lights was celebrated through dance be prouder to have witnessed it,” said
with 3 fun-filled days, including a spe- Shobha Narayan.
cial parade and a 3-hour dance show- Jashn Productions donated
case. proceeds to the Make Me Stronger
“After the success of the first Di- Foundation which partners with var-
wali Dance Fest, we knew we had to ious organizations, one in particular
make Year 2 even bigger & better” is NMDP which works relentlessly in
said Jashn Productions Director, hopes of finding matches for patients
Jeanie Beri. “Celebrating the magic with Blood Cancers. And to add to
of Diwali was truly a dream come the excitement, Disney characters
true. Jashn Productions is looking opened the event alongside children
forward to giving the next genera- with special needs that were spon-
tion of dancers more opportunities sored by the SKN Foundation.
in mainstream venues & also hopes In 2023 Diwali Dance Fest made
to create a sense of community & history as the first ever celebration of
teaching the importance of inclusiv- its kind that gave children the oppor-
ity.” tunity to showcase their talent on a
The 3-day festival held from No- world-renowned platform.
vember 7th – 10th, kicked off with Jeanie Beri Shobha Narayan Jashn Productions was creat-
a special celebration at EET, an In- ed by dancers for dancers, bringing
dian-inspired restaurant at Disney mainstream exposure and opportu-
Springs®, by celebrity Chef Maneet Park with 17 dance schools and per- the direction of Artistic Director Pay- nities for South Asian performing
Chauhan. An official parade at Dis- formances from various regions of ak Kadakia Pujji. The evening was artists. Jashn is led by Jeanie Beri, an
ney Springs® followed with dancers India including Gujarat, Punjab, and hosted by former Broadway star Sho- award-winning South Asian Amer-
performing a 20-minute choreo- Andhra Pradesh weaving elements of ba Narayan who starred as the iconic ican dancer with over 35 years of
graphed piece for a line of spectators pop, hip-hop and classical forms of Princess Jasmine in the long-running dance training and teaching from her
including parents, supporters and Indian dance. Special performances Disney hit, ALADDIN. New Jersey-based studio Rhythmic
guests. The signature Dance Fest were held by LA Based Bhangra & “Diwali Dance Fest was truly Arts to her various credits including
Showcase closed out the festivities, at Bollywood dance company B Funk, unforgettable. Seeing so many pas- Walt Disney World, NBA, and the
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme and SA Dance Company led under sionate Indian dancers – especially Broadway stage.

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