WS Chronicle

Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County presents the third event in their 9th annual Parks Concert Series with a Summer Dance Social at Tanglewood Park on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 2-5 p.m. The event series, presented in partnership with Forsyth County Government, provides free, family-friendly concerts showcasing local and national musicians in beautiful outdoor venues.

The Sept. 8 event features Garba360 – a combination concert and large-scale community dance class. The Garba360 experience features live music from Ujjval Vyas Musicals and dance instruction from producer and curator Heena Patel.

Audiences are invited to participate in the ecstatic western Indian folk-dance tradition of garba. An essential component of Indian wedding celebrations and the nine-day fall Hindu festival Navratri, garba is an intoxicating, high-energy dance style marked by hand claps and twirls. Garba360 brings this lively celebration to new spaces for people of all backgrounds to celebrate through movement. All are invited to participate and dance (or just listen) to live music!

Garba360 producer and curator Heena Patel is also the founder and CEO of MELA Arts Connect, an Asheville-based organization dedicated to nurturing the ecosystem around South Asian performing arts and its practitioners. Patel’s recent credits as a producer and artistic director include the multidisciplinary stage show Bollywood Boulevard; immersive dance experience Garba360; desi:NOW – a showcase of hyphenated South Asian identities; and Woven: The Indian-American Story featuring 30 different artist ensembles. Through MELA, Heena seeks to foster partnerships to create meaningful cross-cultural experiences, help artists build sustainable careers and use the arts to build greater equity.

Summer Dance Social at Tanglewood Park takes place at the Tanglewood Park Band Shell, 4061 Clemmons Road, Clemmons. Free parking is available adjacent to the band shell. Gates open at 1 p.m. and the concert will be 2-5 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs, and may bring a picnic or purchase food from vendors onsite. Wine, beer, and water will be available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting the Arts Council. No outside alcohol is permitted. Kids of all ages are invited to participate in family-friendly arts activities sponsored by Publix Charities. Dogs on leashes are welcome.

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will take place at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts, 251 N. Spruce Stt, Winston-Salem. Check Arts Council’s website and social media for day-of venue updates.

The 9th annual Parks Concert Series will include one more date: Sunday, Oct. 20 at Triad Park in Kernersville. Visit intothearts.org/parks for more information.