AN EVENING CELEBRATING CHRISTEL HOUSE INDIA Indianapolis, Indiana USA
Kanwal Prakash Singhwww.KPSinghDesigns.com
September 20, 2014: During "An Evening Celebrating Christel House India," featuring Indiana-based Danish Punjabi singer Anita Lerche and Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, we were introduced to a transformational endeavor of Indiana philanthropist and visionary Christel DeHaan and Founder, Christel House International.
The evening combined music, dance, theater and lively arts, human creativity, splendor and beauty that moved the human soul and swayed our emotions, defined and added to experience. Through music and dance, we transcend all differences of cultures, ethnicity, and origins; respect diverse traditions and expressions. We saw ourselves at a cultural celebration and felt excited about the mission of the evening.
The organizers turned to the arts and culture, song and dance, friendships and laughter to express love for life, to create hope for others, especially those left behind by time and destiny beyond their control. Faith and tradition teaches us to engage in and support ideas that help others.
A GRAND VISION AND SELFLESS SPIRIT
Christel DeHaan, a respected Indiana leader, has been committed to the initiative of serving and engaging others. Among her many farsighted commitments, Christel has focused on education in places around the world to build Christel House Learning Centers for disadvantaged children, to let them know they belong, and they deserve to be given a chance of a promising future. Towards this vision, Christel DeHaan has to date invested $130 million. Two of these Learning Centers are located in India and serving 1,300 children, as well as schools established in Indiana, South Africa, and Mexico.
AN EVENING OF SONG, DANCE, AND PROMISE
Christel invited the guests to be a part of her vision and fundraising project. On Saturday, September 20, over 400 gathered, among them many Punjabi Sikhs and Indians, celebrities and community leaders, to support the Christel Houses in India. Guests enjoyed an evening of song and dance headlined by singing and dancing Danish-Punjabi sensation Anita Lerche and the fabulous Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and its talented young dancers. The setting was the historic Athenaeum in Indianapolis; the evening a showcase of Punjabi, Indian, and Western cultures.
The Athenaeum Theatre resounded with joyful Bhangra dancing and Punjabi songs by Anita Lerche. Guests were moved and spirits soared by the collaborative dance and song performances with the Gregory Hancock dancers. There was a multi-cultural crowd in festive brocaded and jeweled Indian silks. Anita Lerche was right in the middle of the crowd encouraging the audience to be part of the fun for a worthy vision. An excited and enthusiastic group joined and demonstrated their dancing skills.
The audience showed support, with over $50,000 donated during the evening with additional pledges to follow. Everyone felt proud to be a part of the grand vision of Christel DeHaan and were inspired to help and serve in other unique ways. A silent auction raised additional funds.
Anita in her signature style masterfully delivered the rustic passion of the Punjabi folksongs and rhythms of the Bhangra Dance, with Punjabi Dhol accompaniment by Shiva Nand, including her anthem Punjabi rendition of, "Aao Jee, Jee Aaayan Noon," and the title song from her upcoming CD album, "Sadke Punjab Ton." The Danish-Punjabi Heer also gave dramatic collaborative presentations with Gregory Hancock performers, showcasing her versatility and comfort with many languages, acting, and dance genres. The evening was a festive blend of folk and contemporary, rich traditions and talents. The featured artistes donated their time and talents in support of the evening's mission of raising funds for The Christel Houses in India.
IT ALL BEGINS WITH INVESTMENTS IN WORTHY VISIONS
Education and learning brings the body, mind, and spirit to life, to fullness, to unimagined possibilities and untapped promise. The words of the songs and each movement of the dance create images that together lift our thoughts and spirit to realms that empower our imagination and shared humanity.
The evening evoked emotions, memories of familiar rhythms, captured and jolted our interest, and invited us to safeguard and enrich life in its myriad splendor across newly emerging frontiers. For me, the evening of Christel House India carried and manifested that message, responsibility, and more as I sat among friends from many cultures and witnessed a tapestry of amazing creativity. The evening celebrated life, hope, and promise: to make a difference to the lives of children thousands of miles away. One can imagine many more people such as Christel DeHaan committed to life-transforming opportunities for others and pursuing endeavors to uplift humanity.
The Event was sponsored by Christel House International
www.ChristelHouse.org.
To learn more: www.AnitaLerche.com www.GregoryHancockDanceTheatre.org
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| Indianapolis Mayor Greg and Mrs. Ballard |
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| Danish-Punjabi singer Anita Lerche |
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| Master of Ceremonies, Jason Sondhi and Anita Lerche |
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| Christel DeHaan, Event Co-Host KP Singh, and friends |
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| Gregory Hancock and Anita Lerche |
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| Friends of many cultures at the Celebration |
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| (L-R) Christel DeHaan, KP Singh, Anita Lerche, Gregory Hancock |
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| Anita Lerche spinning to Punjabi song |
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| Anita Lerche dancing amidst the crowd |
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| Joyous Bhangra participants |
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| Christel House benefactor, Jaswant Gidda with Gregory Hancock |
