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Walton Arts Center’s new Mosaix Festival will explore the various cultural tiles that come together to make Northwest Arkansas unique and diverse. Each year, a different culture will be highlighted with a weeklong celebration of that culture’s performers and performing arts. The inaugural Mosaix Festival April 20-25, 2020 explores the sights and sounds of India.
“Northwest Arkansas is such a diverse region, and we’re partnering with local cultural communities to create an annual festival that celebrates that diversity through a variety of experiences including performing arts, food, fashion, visual arts, crafts and games,” said Scott Galbraith, vice president of programming and executive producer for Walton Arts Center. “It’s important to be exposed to each other’s cultural expressions. Art not only showcases what is unique about a culture, but it also reminds us of all that we have in common.”
The finale event for this year’s Mosaix Festival is A Conversation with Hasan Minhaj on Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. Minhaj is the host and creator of the weekly comedy show “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj” that explores the modern cultural and political landscape with depth and sincerity through his unique comedic voice. His Nexflix comedy special “Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King,” earned him a 2018 Peabody Award. Minhaj got his start on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”
Moderated by Heena Patel, founder and CEO of Mela Arts Connect, producer and artistic director of Bollywood Boulevard – also part of Mosaix, the conversation with Minhaj will focus on his career and experience as a first-generation American. Tickets for the show go on sale to the public on National Diversity Day, Friday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m., and prices range from $56 to $95 plus applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Walton Arts Center or Walmart AMP box offices, by calling 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.
In addition to the finale event with Minhaj, the inaugural Mosaix Festival offers a curated collection of Indian films, dance, music and drama. Tickets to each of these additional events are on sale now.
Mosaix Film Night in Collaboration with Fayetteville Film Festival
Monday, April 20 | 7 pm | Walton Arts Center
Tickets are $15
Presented in collaboration with the Fayetteville Film Festival, join us for an evening of independent films by Indian cinematographers and see the world and the issues they face through their eyes.
Äbhä by Parshwanath Upadhye and Punyah Dance Company
Tuesday, April 21 | 7 pm | Walton Arts Center
Tickets are $10
Punyah Dance Company under the artistic leadership of one of the most sought-after classical Indian dancers, Parshwanath Upadhye, tells the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana – the story of legendary Lorda Rama of ancient India on a quest to rescue Sita, the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, whose choices would change the course of history. Punyah Dance Company’s performance for Mosaix marks their U.S. premiere.
Bollywood Boulevard
Thursday, April 23, 2020 | 7 pm | Walton Arts Center
Tickets are $25-55
The vibrancy, emotion and heart-pounding beat of Hindi cinema comes to life on stage with Bollywood Boulevard. Dance, live music, storytelling and stunning visuals combine to create a non-stop journey through more than 100 years of Bollywood movies.
Moving from the era of black and white ?lms to today, the music, costumes, choreography and artwork re?ect the essence of each time period. For lifelong fans, it’s a trip down memory lane. For novice fans, it’s an insightful and engaging introduction to the world’s largest ?lm industry.
Arun Luthra’s Konnakol Jazz Project with Selvaganesh
Friday, April 24, 2020 | 7:30 pm | Walton Arts Center
Tickets are $32-52
Arun Luthra is one of the premier saxophonists and composers on New York’s jazz scene. He’s an American jazz musician of Indian heritage who explores fusing the modern post-bop sound with elements of Indian classical music. Joining Luthra’s ensemble is Selvaganesh, the son of T.H. “Vikku” Vinayakram – the legendary Indian percussionist best-known for his ghatam work in the pioneering acoustic fusion group Shakti with guitarist John McLaughlin.
Together, they’ll perform music from Luthra’s Konnakol Jazz Project – a selection of works that highlights Carnatic and Hindustani music rhythms, and the art form of konnakol.
Raj Suresh: 4000 Days
Friday, April 24, 2020 | 8 pm | The Great Hall at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Tickets are $20
A lot can change in 4000 days. Based on his highly popular show Maya, Raj Suresh: 4000 Days explores not only the 4,000 days since Raj moved to the U.S. but also his hilarious perspectives on the cyclical nature of illusions and life.
fuseNWA
Saturday, April 25, 2020 | 10 am until 4 pm | Walton Arts Center
Tickets are $10
An all-day showcase of local arts and artists. This is an opportunity for the Northwest Arkansas community to learn more about Indian culture from our Desi neighbors through performances by local cultural organizations, hands-on workshops, food and a fashion show.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov. Visit waltonartscenter.org for more information about Mosaix Festival.
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