The Family YMCA’s Dance of India performance of ‘Murder, She Danced’ is 4 p.m. Sunday Oct. 6 at Duane Smith Auditorium. Courtesy/YMCAA student’s suggestion that this 13th year’s performance of The Family YMCA’s Dance of India classes center on something other than a universally known theme, got the instructor to thinking.
What should pop into the mind of instructor Alina Deshpande but a a ghost-murder mystery where the ghost makes its presence known through the tinkering of bells. It is a fitting theme for the month of October. The performance is 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Duane Smith Auditorium.
“Nileena gets the credit for coming up with the title of our production,” Deshpande said.
Deshpande is the Group Leader of the Biosecurity and Public Health Group in the Bioscience Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. She began teaching Kathak at the Y in 2003 when her daughter was 6 years old because she wanted to share her culture with her.
“She was one of my first students along with three other little girls who were around 4 at the time. They danced with me until they left to go to undergradate school in California, Texas and even Ireland!” Deshpande said. “I was encouraged by my friends to start this class so that other members in the Indian community in Los Alamos could get exposed. I have been continuously delighted and gratified to have diverse members of the Los Alamos community join the class, as it is not restricted to student with Indian origins. This goes to show how welcoming and open our Los Alamosites are!”
Deshpande said her class has students that range in age from 5-70.
“I have students who have Indian roots as well as those who want to learn a new culture,” she said. “I guess the students love the preparation for these annual shows as well as other performances that we do throughout the year. They enjoy dressing up, too.”
Each year Despande supports a charity located in another part of the world.
“We started with supporting primarily charities in India, but over the years, it became clear that there are needs all over the world, so it was just something that I realized – why are we restricting ourselves to just one country when we could help so many more,” she said, adding that dollars go much further in other parts of the world and have a very large impact.
The one-day performance of “Murder, She Danced!” is supported by parent volunteers who help with stage management.
“Mary Beth Stevens, Gauri Prasad and Chris Frankle are so helpful,” Despande said. “I really appreciate their willingness and commitment. I would also like to give a big shout out to my friend Dr. Madhavi Garimella, who in addition to helping with stage management, arranges the intermission sales of snacks and Indian jewelry and clothes, and handles other logistics.”
“And I would like to acknowledge my good friend Nileena Velappan, who is also a senior student in class and keeps me energized and inspired! She will do it all from getting costumes for various students, finding sponsors, getting banner permits and being the publicity rep. These are the folks who we don’t all see on stage, but have a big hand in the success of the program. They do it all selflessly and with no expectation of credit or fanfare.”
While there is no formal charge, donations are strongly encouraged to support charitable work. This year’s production benefits the YMCA Chiang Mai in Thailand and their Women’s Empowerment program. Suggested donations are $10 for ages 12 and older; $5 for children ages 5-11.
Deshpande encourages everyone to come to this fun and colorful event with Indian dances woven into an interesting theme.
“We have some serious local acting talent that will be showcased, so this should make for an entertaining evening!” Deshpande said.
A detective from the ‘Murder, She Danced’ performance set for 4 p.m. Sunday Oct. 6 at Duane Smith Auditorium. Courtesy/YMCA
Scene from a previous performance by Dance of India students. Courtesy/YMCA