Kathak Meets Tap in INDIAN JAZZ SUITES 5/11

INDIA JAZZ SUITES will perform in Three Stages on Friday, May 11 at 8 pm. This show is a brilliant collaboration between Pandit Chitresh Das, one of the world's foremost masters of the of the barefoot, bell-bedecked North Indian dance called Kathak, and Emmy award-winning Jason Samuels Smith --one of the world's fastest tap dancers. Accompanied by three top Indian classical musicians and three jazz musicians, India Jazz Suites is a dynamic conversation that uses rhythm and improvisation to communicate a deep appreciation of both traditions, as well as the pure joy of dance.

The collaboration premiered in 2005, and placed first in the top ten dance productions by the San Francisco Chronicle. India Jazz Suites was named one of the top ten productions of the year in 2010 by the Boston Globe, has toured India six times toured India, Australia and the U.S. in the 2010-11 season and will tour to more than ten cities in the U.S. through May 2012, with additional tours in Canada and India. This event is sponsored by Capital Public Radio.

Tickets are $21-$34 with Premium tickets available for $39; they are available online at www.threestages.net or from Three Stages Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Three Stages is located on the west side of Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, CA, facing East Bidwell Street.

Pandit Chitresh Das and Jason Samuels Smith first got to know each other backstage at the 2004 American Dance Festival. Though each comes from a different cultural and artistic background, they share striking similarities: both were child prodigies who began dancing and performing at a very young age; they have a similar approach to dance and a common passion for deep exploration into the possibilities of rhythmic improvisation; and finally, both artists believe passionately that the arts can bring communities together to raise awareness and create greater understanding.

Kathak of Northern India may be the only dance form in the world that links Hindu and Muslim cultures. What began as art form celebrating the great stories of the Ramayana and Mahabharata moved into the Hindu temples and later became the court dance of the Moghul rulers in North India. These Muslim Moghuls were less interested in the Hindu storytelling of Kathak but appreciated the technical and rhythmic aspects of the dance: a highly refined rhythmic structure and the subtle movements of the dancers' neck, head, wrists and eyebrows. The ghungroo, or ankle bells, weighing 3 to 4 pounds, are the dancer's instrument, an expression of the body's voice. The rapid footwork, deft spins and storytelling, accompanied by the North Indian classical drums, the tabla, and stringed instruments, all come together to create the dance, theater and musical expression that is Kathak.

Tap is an original American art form, based on African dance and rhythms and inspired by many other styles, such as the Juba Dance, English Lancashire Clog dancing and Irish step dancing. From the early minstrel shows, to Vaudeville, through a mixing with the Lindy Hop in the '30s, the art form has found its contemporary voice in the work of Savion Glover, Jason Samuels Smith, and even in animated films like Happy Feet.

A child prodigy, Pandit Chitresh Das has become one of the most dynamic and far-reaching artists to emerge from modern India. A prolific artist, his traditional performances, choreography and evolution of Kathak, the classical dance of North India, have influenced the art form world-wide. "A performer who has opened new avenues for his form, it is easy to see why Das has been acknowledged as a phenomenon" (Hindustan Times, India). In 2009 Pandit Das was chosen as a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2011 Pandit Das received an award from the prestigious Sarba Bharatiya Sangit Parishad in Kolkata, India.

Jason Samuels Smith has received a Dance Magazine Award as well as an Emmy and American Choreography Award for "Outstanding Choreography." Performances include Mya on CBS's Secret Talents of the Stars, twice as a special guest (soloist & company appearance) on Fox's hit series "So You Think You Can Dance", and Dancing with The Stars to name a few. Other television and film credits include co-starring in Dean Hargrove's award-winning short film "Tap Heat"; Outkast's feature film "Idlewild"; and Debbie Allen's AMC series "Cool Women". Performances include Sammy (tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.); Soul Possessed (leading role); Tony Award winning Broadway show Bring in Da'Noise, Bring in Da'Funk (principal and lead roles); and Imagine Tap! (leading role).

Considered among the top class of tabla players from India, ABHIJIT BANERJEE (Tabla) is joined by DEBASHISH SARKAR (Vocal & Harmonium) and Jayanta Banerjee (Sitar)

The jazz musicians include: THEO HILL (Piano) and Ryan Berg (BASS) join ANDREW ATKINSON (Kit Drum), who has worked with Randy Brecker, Arturo Sandoval, Danilio Perez, and Donald Harrison.

Three Stages at Folsom Lake College presents touring artists from around the world; partners with the best regional arts organizations, and supports productions by FLC students and faculty. Three Stages at Folsom Lake College is a $50 million performing and visual arts center that opened in February 2011. Located on the campus, Three Stages includes three intimate performance venues (850, 200, 100 seats), an art gallery, a recording studio, ample rehearsal and classroom space, a full service ticket office plus all the amenities of a state-of-the-art performance venue. Parking is free on weekends and for those buying tickets in advance.

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