'Ragas and Airs' performed by Usiloquy Dance Designs at the Irish Memorial

Supported in part with funding from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Usiloquy Dance Designs will perform the Bharatanatyam work 'Ragas and Airs' at the Irish Memorial in Philadelphia on July 26th based on parallels between the music of Indian and Celtic communities, expanding upon the historic connections between South Asian and Celtic heritage.

The 45 minute original Indian classical dance production featuring 6 dancers will be followed by an interactive segment engaging audience members in a demonstration of dance techniques and information about the commemorative Irish sculpture by Glenna Goodacre.

The dance consists of pieces touching on the following themes: Early textile industry populated by Irish immigrants in Kensington, Philadelphia; 18th century Sanskrit texts written by Indian poet Muthuswamy Dikshitar to Irish reels and a ballad played by contemporary Pennsylvania based Celtic Band Burning Bridget Cleary. These free of charge showings of 'Ragas and Airs' will be a cross-cultural, site-specific and multidisciplinary partnership between two Philadelphia organizations.

The Irish Memorial is part of the historic Penn's Landing district which sees approximately 1.5 million visitors in a year. More than a million visitors pass through the historic independence national park 3 blocks from the Memorial. Visitors include school groups, families, tourists and local Philadelphians alike who stroll by the Delaware river and dine in adjacent Old City.

Global Philadelphia Association is proud to be 'Media Partner’ for this International event in the Philadelphia region.