Tabla maestro Khan to perform in Encinitas at ‘Passport to India’
Encinitas Friends of the Arts (EFA) is giving the community a chance to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Indian culture from 6-10 p.m. Aug. 28 at Passport To India.
As part of EFA’s Passport Series at the Encinitas Community Center, at 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, the program includes many of San Diego’s finest Indian artists, musicians, and dancers.
Among them will be singer Rahis Ahmed Khan, an eighth-generation Indian musician from Jaipur Rajashtan. He is trained in the art of ghazals, and is versed in Raagas (Indian melody scales) and Taals (Indian rhythm patterns).
“Rahis manages a busy schedule of performing and traveling across the globe and has devoted his life to promote Indian culture and the arts,” said Naimeh Tanha Woodward, president of EFA.
Khan has performed all over the world and played with such varied groups and individuals as George Harrison and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Khan teaches private classes in San Diego and is on the faculty of the Encinitas School of Music in Encinitas.
The evening begins with regional vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian cuisine for purchase while attendees enjoy bindis, henna body art, sari wrapping and opportunity drawings. Dance performances include traditional and modern by Kirti Srivastava, Indian classical by Payal, and UCSD’s Zor dance ensemble with a mix of Bollywood and other dance styles. Visual art by Bhavna Mehta, Preet Srivastava and Sushila Srivastava will be on view and for purchase. Music will be performed by Rahis Khan and his band, and DJ and drummer Vikas Srivastava, who will spin tunes for dancing.
In keeping with EFA’s mission to celebrate diversity through arts and culture, the event will foster an appreciation and fresh awareness of modern India.
Advance tickets are $20/$30 with dinner for EFA members, $25/$35 with dinner for non-members, or $30 at the door. The best deal is the combo package: EFA membership and admission for $40/$50 with dinner. Tickets: www.EncinitasArts.org. For information, email FriendsoftheArts1@gmail.com or call 760-633-2746.