A free afternoon of Indian dance, music, food and crafts is coming to University City on Sunday, Nov. 1, as part of Penn Live Arts’ Arts of India Festival.<\/p>\n
Presented with Sruti, the India Music and Dance Society of Philadelphia, the festival also includes jazz, classical dance, a tribute to late musician Zakir Hussain and an art exhibition at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St.<\/p>\n
The free community day<\/a> runs from 1 to 4 p.m. and includes live performances, percussion demonstrations, crafts, henna body art and Indian food samples.<\/p>\n Nardhana Academy of Dance will perform at 1:30 p.m., followed by Penn Sargam, a University of Pennsylvania student music group, at 2:30 p.m. A percussion demonstration begins at 3 p.m. The dance performance has reached capacity, but registration remains open for the other activities.<\/p>\n Get event recommendations delivered right to your inbox.Discover festivals, markets, family-friendly activities and other things to do throughout Philadelphia, South Jersey and the surrounding suburbs.Sign up now<\/a><\/p>\n The festival’s upcoming concerts begin Friday, Oct. 30, with the Arun Ramamurthy Trio and Rudresh Mahanthappa Hero Trio<\/a>. Both groups blend jazz with other musical traditions, including South Indian classical music.<\/p>\n On Sunday, Nov. 1, sitar player Niladri Kumaar<\/a> will present The Space Between the Notes, a tribute to the late Indian musician Zakir Hussain. The concert draws on a recording of their final performance together.<\/p>\n The Nrityagram Dance Ensemble<\/a> will perform Nov. 6-7, presenting KHA\u1e44KHA\u1e46\u0100: the sound of dancing feet. The show features live music and traditional Indian dance created by artistic director Surupa Sen over the past 30 years.<\/p>\n The festival also features Chrysalis<\/a>, an exhibition of paintings by Pragya Gupta exploring identity and personal change. The exhibition runs through Dec. 13.<\/p>\n A separate program, Illuminating Arts of India<\/a>, will take place Nov. 14, with a musical brunch, a discussion with Penn alumni working in the arts and student performances. RSVPs are requested by Oct. 31.<\/p>\n Tickets and additional festival information are available through Penn Live Arts<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arts of India Festival<\/a><\/p>\n Dates: Through Nov. 14, 2026, with art exhibition through Dec. 13 Upcoming events:<\/p>\n \u2022 Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.: Arun Ramamurthy Trio and Rudresh Mahanthappa Hero Trio Registration: Free community day registration<\/a> Find more upcoming events here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Location: Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Admission: Free community day; separate tickets required for ticketed performances<\/p>\n
\u2022 Nov. 1, 1-4 p.m.: Free Arts of India Festival Community Day. The 1:30 p.m. dance performance is at capacity.
\u2022 Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: Niladri Kumaar, The Space Between the Notes
\u2022 Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 7, 3 p.m.: Nrityagram Dance Ensemble
\u2022 Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m.: Illuminating Arts of India. RSVP requested by Oct. 31.
\u2022 Through Dec. 13: Chrysalis art exhibition<\/p>\n
More information: Penn Live Arts festival schedule<\/a><\/p>\n