PhillyFest brings South Asian tradition and fine arts to Philadelphia through unity, culture, and dance. A premiere national intercollegiate South Asian and Indian based dance competition, Phillyfest promises to provide an exhilarating experience.

PhillyFest will host its 5th annual show at the prestigious Merriam Theater on the historic Avenue of the Arts of Philadelphia on Saturday January 30th.  Twelve teams will compete for prizes of over $5000 and to be crowned the PHILLYFEST 2010 Champion. Teams from Los Angeles, Rhode Island, Chicago, and New York travel to battle with local teams from Rutgers University, Drexel University, Delaware University, and Temple University. The show features 4 unique categories, splitting the 12 teams in groups of 3. A 1st place winner is named from each category, with an overall winner which is selected by 6 acclaimed judges with a history in dance and fine arts.

With the conjoining of Indian classical and Bollywood dance, teams mix in elements of fusion modernistic American trends. Phillyfest creates an atmosphere of team spirit amongst various national universities participating in this breathtaking show. By bringing together teams of professional caliber from across America to entertain and enthrall the audience, Phillyfest has finally provided Philadelphia with a passage to India. As vibrant colors and vivid movement grace the stage this January, prepare to embark on a delightful, rhythmic rollercoaster of dance, music, and culture.

Devan Dalal an organizer for Phillyfest goes on to say, “Our goal is not only to celebrate South Asian culture, but to build understanding and acceptance for diversity. Phillyfest provides us with a platform to bridge the gap between cultural differences  and celebrate similarities.”  Phillyfest is an annual event that features a participating team mixer, the dance competition combined with comedy and acapella performances. This show aims to present an opportunity for the South Asian community to enjoy its rich tradition of dance and music with the promise to promote the diversity of our culture in the city of Philadelphia.

PhillyFest 2010
Saturday,  January 30th
Meriam Theater, 250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Information at http://www.phillyfest.com/
Tickets are $21.50 and up: https://tickets.kimmelcenter.org/tickets/reserve.aspx?performanceNumber=9598