VANCOUVER, CANADA (TIP): In a suspected case of gang war, Punjab-origin gangster Amarpreet Samra was shot dead at south Vancouver in Canada when he was coming out of a wedding reception on Sunday, May 28 morning. The 28-year-old Samra was also called ‘Chucky’.
‘Chucky’ Samra was shot dead outside Fraserview Banquet Hall near Fraser St & Southeast Marine Dr. It was a targeted shooting related to the ongoing gang conflict. Samra was on the dance floor at Fraserview Banquet Hall with other wedding guests less than 30 minutes before he was shot on Fraser Street just before 1:30 am.
A few guests told media persons that some unidentified men had walked into the hall and told the DJ to stop the music. Around 60 guests were present at the venue.
Samra was on the ‘wanted list’ of the Canadian police. He reached the marriage party with his gangster brother Ravinder. They were working in alliance with the UN Gang. Samra was among the 11 alleged criminals named by the authorities in August 2022 who were a threat to the public.
In an official statement from the Vancouver police, they are investigating the killing of a 28-year-old man.
“Multiple 911 callers reported that one man had been shot outside a south Vancouver banquet hall near Fraser Street and Southeast Marine Drive at 1:30 am. Patrol officers performed CPR on the victim until paramedics arrived, but he died,” the statement reads.
Investigators believe this was a targeted shooting related to the ongoing gang conflict. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to call the Vancouver Police Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500, it further reads.
Month: June 2023
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Punjab-origin gangster Amarpreet Samra shot in Canada
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Indian American multi sports coach Jatin Patel gets Cricket Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award
WASHINGTON D.C. (TIP): Indian American multi sports coach Jatin Patel is set to become the eighth individual since 1981 to receive Cricket Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award, according to a media report.
Patel will join a list that includes West Indies legendary all-rounder Sir Garfield “Gary” Sobers and Michael Holding, Lloyd Dixon, Roy Sweeney, Denzel Powell, Tony Becca, and Mahammad Ahmad Qureshi, popularly known as Maq Qureshi, who have received the Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Awards.
This will be the third prestigious award for Jatin Patel who also received the US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong commitment to building a strong nation through volunteer service, according to Cricket World.
He has already qualified for Indiana, Governor’s Long-Term Public Service Recognition for his 35 years of professional career.
Previously, Jatin Patel received the Indiana Governor’s Public Service Achievement Award in 2010 and won the American Cricket Federation Inaugural Volunteer Award in 2013.
A multi discipline (cricket, soccer, and baseball) coach, Jatin Patel is also a USA Cricket Hall of Famer. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2020 and became a board member in 2021.
His commendable nomination is based on his commitment and sincerity to public service and his multi sports interest as his weekend only hobby, Cricket World said.
Patel, who pioneered the American Cricket Education Council (ACEC) in 2022, is also a professional sports performance analyst accredited by the International Society of Performance Analysts of Sport (ISPAS).
A renowned name in the Indian community for his various roles in cricket establishments in the USA, he holds Advance Sports Performance and Analysis Diplomas (FIFA & Olympic Soccer).
Patel also pioneered scholastic cricket and trained coaches while helping more than sixty youth cricket academy and community programs, in addition to colleges /universities & schools in the USA.
A delighted Patel said, “2023 is a momentous year for me as I received the Federal award, followed by CHOF international recognition. These are memorable achievements for the rest of my life. These are one of the greatest honors I have ever received as my accolades. In cricket terms, I scored a Hat-Trick.”
“Jatin deserves such honor for all work he has done with the extreme dedication for the sport Cricket,” Dr. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, legend cricket hall of famer, former West Indies captain, and champion CPL 2022 coach was quoted as saying.
“Receiving another accolade of such high recognition is beyond comparison. I send my heartfelt gratitude for the nomination,” said Patel who is also the chairperson for Who Is Who in Cricket (CricWho).
“To be more precise, I can honestly say all credit goes to my parents, family, and friends who supported me over the years, I thank them all. It is not just my award, but this belongs to all of us as a team.”
“No doubt, We also count our forebears and mentors who provided the inspiration and motivation to serve others,” added Patel.
“It is an honor and a pleasure working with Jatin Patel. He has continued to make all of us proud at the Hall & Museum,” said Michael Chambers, Executive Director & founder of USA Cricket Hall of Fame. -
Four Indo-Canadian Punjabis win Alberta provincial poll
ALBERTA, CANADA (TIP): Four Punjabis have been elected to the provincial legislature of Alberta on Monday. A total of 15 Punjabis contested in Calgary and Edmonton.
Sitting cabinet minister from United Conservative Party (UCP) Rajan Sawhney won from Calgary Northwest. Sawhney defeated Michael Lisboa-Smith of the New Democratic Party (NDP).
Incumbent NDP MLA Jasvir Deol again won from Edmonton Meadows. He defeated Amritpal Singh Matharu of the UCP. Parmeet Singh Boporai of the NDP defeated sitting MLA Devinder Toor of the UCP from Calgary Falconridge. In Calgary Northeast, NDP’s Gurinder Brar defeated Inder Grewal of the UCP.
Amanpreet Singh Gill lost from Calgary-Bhullar-Mccall, Raman Athwal from Edmonton Mill Woods, R Singh Bath from Edmonton Ellerslie, Gurinder Singh Gill from Calgary-Cross, Harry Singh from Drayton Valley-Devon, Aman Sandhu from Calgary-Cross, Jeewan Mangat from Innisfail-Sylvan Lake and Braham Luddu from Lethbridge-West.
As per the 2021 Census, more than half of Canada’s Sikhs can be found in one of four cities—Brampton (1,63,260), Surrey (1,54,415), Calgary (49,465) and Edmonton (41,385). -
Chaman Lal becomes first British-Indian Lord Mayor of Birmingham
LONDON (TIP): Birmingham has got its first British-Indian Lord Mayor in Councilor Chaman Lal after the local councilors of the West Midlands city of England chose him to represent it as its first citizen.
Lal, who is from the Ravidassia community of British Sikhs, was born in the village of Pakhowal in Hoshiarpur before he moved to the UK, where he has served as a local councilor for many years.
The Labor Party politician was first elected in 1994 and in the most recent local elections was re-elected Councilor for the Soho and Jewelry Quarter Ward.
“It is a very proud moment for me and our family, as a son of an army officer born in India, but made in Birmingham,” Lal said in his acceptance speech at a mayoral ceremony last week.
“I am an adopted Brummie, and I never thought that one day I would become the Lord Mayor of my adopted city. I would like to thank my fellow councilors for electing me as their first citizen and of our great city which happens to be the highest civic role entrusted to a serving councilor,” he said.
According to the Birmingham City Council, Chaman Lal’s father, Sardar Harnam Singh Banga, was a British Indian army officer who served in the Italian campaign during World War II. Lal’s father came to England in 1954 and settled in Birmingham, taking employment in various industries including several years with British Steel.
Chaman Lal came to England with his mother, Sardarni Jai Kaur, to join his father in 1964 and has lived in Birmingham ever since. He attended Wattville Secondary Modern School and continued with his studies in evening classes at Sandwell and Matthew Boulton Colleges.
“He believes in lifelong learning and continued his academic studies in economics and law on part-time degree courses at the local Polytechnic. He qualified as an engineer in electronics and became an apprentice with an electronics company. He progressed to becoming their youngest chief engineer in the service department and was later promoted to the post of manager of the service department,” Birmingham City Council said.
Lal went on to set up his own electronics business as well as other businesses. He married Vidya Wati in 1971 and the couple have three daughters and two sons.
His interest in politics dates back to 1989 when he joined the Labor Party and took part in many social justice campaigns to challenge inequality and discrimination.
He has served on most of the local council’s committees in the past 29 years, including as a cabinet advisor for major transport projects and recently as the Chair of the Sustainability and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee. “He has served many years on the West Midlands Transport Authority and has a keen interest in improving public transport. As Chair of the Transport Scrutiny Committee, he led several Task and Finish Groups including making the recommendations for the best e-ticketing solution for the WMPTA which led to the introduction of the contactless travel (Swift Card) in the West Midlands area,” the local council noted.
His other policy reviews resulted in more late night and early morning bus services to meet the needs of the night economy as well as early morning workers, it said. -
AUSTIN CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF CINE LAS AMERICAS
By Mabel Pais
Featuring NARDEEP KHURMI’s LAND OF GOLD
And many more
The Austin (Texas) based Cine Las Americas International Film Festival (CLAIFF) presents films and events for its 25th Anniversary edition, featuring more in-theater screenings and programs than ever before, and filmmaker awards totaling $8K in cash prizes. The Festival takes place June 7-11 at several locations. Cine Las Americas is set to take place at AFS Cinema (6259 Middle Fiskville Rd.), Galaxy Theatre (6700 Middle Fiskville Rd.), and Austin PBS (Clayton Lane/Wilhelmina Delco Dr.), including two days of free-to-the-public screenings at Galaxy Theatre on Saturday, 6/10 and Sunday, 6/11.
2023 Cine Las Americas Film Lineup
OPENING NIGHT
Flamin’ Hot
Director: Eva Longoria l USA l 1h 39m
Land of Gold (Narrative Feature). (Photo : cinelasamericas.org Opening Night, ‘Flamin’ Hot.’ (Photo : cinelasamericas.org)
‘Flamin’ Hot’ is the inspiring true story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia) who as a Frito-Lay janitor disrupted the food industry by channeling his Mexican American heritage to turn Flamin’ Hot Cheetos from a snack into an iconic global pop culture phenomenon.
CLOSING NIGHT
Amor y matemáticas (Love and Mathematics)
Director: Claudia Sainte-Luce l Mexico l 1h 25m
Having known fame as a former boy band member, Billy now lives a monotonous existence as a married man in a suburban Mexican city. Yet, an encounter with an ex-fan will make him confront his life decisions.
SHOWCASE: NARRATIVE FEATURES
Chile ‘76
Director: Manuela Martelli l Chile/Argentina/Qatar l 1h 35m
Domingo y la niebla (Domingo and the Mist)
Director: Ariel Escalante Meza l Costa Rica/Qatar l 1h 32m
El Castigo (The Punishment)
Director: Matías Bize l Chile/Argentina l 1h 25m
Finde
Director: Nano Garay Santaló l Argentina l 1h 25m
Girasoles silvestres (Wild Flowers)
Director: Jaime Rosales l Spain l 1h 47m
La civil
Director: Teodora Ana Mihai l Mexico/Belgium/Romania l 2h 25m
La hija de todas las rabias (Daughter of Rage)
Director: Laura Baumeister l Nicaragua/Mexico/Netherlands/Germany/France/Norway l 1h 27m
La jauría
Director: Andrés Ramírez Pulido l Colombia/France l 1h 26m
Land of Gold (Narrative Feature). (Photo : cinelasamericas.org Land of Gold
Director: Nardeep Khurmi l USA l 1h 45m
No quiero ser polvo (I Don’t Want to be Dust)
Director: Iván Löwenberg l Mexico/Argentina l 1h 25m
Nuestros días más felices (Our Happiest Days)
Director: Sol Berruezo Pichon-Rivière l Argentina l 1h 40m
Paloma
Director: Marcelo Gomes l Brazil/Portugal l 1h 44m
SHOWCASE – DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
The Illusion of Abundance
Directors: Erika Gonzalez Ramirez, Matthieu Lietaert l Colombia/Honduras/Peru/Belgium/Brazil/Germany/Indigenous l 1h
NARRATIVE FEATURES – COMPETITION
Bones of Crows
Director: Marie Clements l Canada l 2h 9m
Manuela
Director: Clara Cullen l Argentina/United States l 1h 30m
Martínez
Director: Lorena Padilla l Mexico l 33m
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES – COMPETITION
El Equipo (The Team)
Director: Bernardo Ruiz l Argentina/Mexico/United States l 1h 21m
Kenya
Director: Gisela Delgadillo l Mexico l 1h 30m
‘Miwene, Reclaiming the Amazon’ (Documentary Feature – Competition). (Photo : cinelasamericas.org Miwene: Reclaiming the Amazon
Directors: Keith Heyward, Jennifer Berglund, Gange Anita Yeti Enomenga, Obe Beatriz Nenquimo Nihua l Ecuador l 1h 46m
NARRATIVE SHORTS – COMPETITION
La Torta
Director: Carlos Novella l Venezuela l 19m
Llueven las flores, los piratas y el tesoro de la bruja
Director: Faustino Alanís l Mexico l 17m
Naquele Dia Escuro
Director: Daniel Guarda l Brazil l 30m
Una Eva Más
Director: Daniela Hernández l Chile/Venezuela l 21m
Votamos
Director: Santiago Requejo l Spain l 13m
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS – COMPETITION
El Ojo Comienza En La Mano (The Eye Begins in the Hand)
Director: Yehuda Sharim l USA l 16m
Imelda Is Not Alone
Director: Paula Heredia l El Salvador/USA l 30m
Pemón
Director: Brandon Pestano l UK/Brazil l 15m
Tres Almas en Busca de un Abrazo (Three Souls in Search of an Embrace)
Directors: Tom Donohue, Greg Shaya l USA l 15m
Who She Is
Directors: Jordan Dresser, Sophie Barksdale l USA l 38m
HECHO EN TEJAS SHORTS
A Life in Technicolor
Director: Alex Ramirez l USA l 19m
El Gato Feo
Director: Daniel Fabelo l USA l 15m
La Cosecha
Director: Samuel Díaz Fernández l USA l 13m
**In Tow
Director: Sharon Arteaga l USA l 21m
**-NOT IN COMPETITION
Raúl R Salinas and the poetry of liberation: un trip
Directors: Anne Lewis, Laura Varela l USA l 25m
Sin lágrimas para llorar
Director: Luis Fernando Puente l USA l 13m
7th ANNUAL FEMME FRONTERA SHOWCASE LINE-UP
Barter
Directors: Ziba Karamali, Emad Arad
Blue Veil
Director: Shireen Alihaji
Homesick
Director: Valeria Contreras
La Bi-Vencia
Directors: Mariana Gongora-Reyes, Analaura Cardenas
Lioness
Director: Molly E. Smith
Mommyland
Director: Aijian Chen
Seeds
Directors: Morningstar Angeline, Ajuawak Kapashesit
Shipping Them
Director: Ryan Rox
PANORAMA SHORTS
Little Red Drone
Director: Michael Kirchoff l USA l 15m
Alejandro Jimenez: The Ground I Stand On
Directors: Raúl Paz Pastrana, Alan Domínguez l USA l 12m
Metal Belt
Director: Blackhorse Lowe l USA l 14m
Paralelos
Director: Paula Scalona l Mexico l 14m
Art as Means of Breath
Director: Celi Mitidieri l USA l 6m
John Leguizamo Live at Rikers
Director: Elena Francesca Engel l USA l 26m
EMERGENCIA – ALL AGES
Alexei Sinyavin – Speedcuber
Director: Aaron Anidjar l USA l 5m
Better Late Than Never
Director: Estevan Evaristo Garcia l USA l 2m
Don’t Froget
Director: Mariana McKenzie l USA l 1m
Entre Faros No Hay Competidores (No Competition Between Lighthouses)
Director: Cira Garza l USA l 3m
Game Night
Director: Cadence Grace Barreda l USA l 3m
Prosperity of Tomorrow
Director: Diego Rodriguez l USA l 7m
Spiral
Director: Isabella Wren Tealey l USA l 18m
EMERGENCIA – 14+
Phototaxis
Director: Juan Castro l Spain l 5m
Towerfall
Director: Bjorgvin Arnarson l USA l 9m
TICKETS & MORE INFORMATION
For more information and tickets, visit cinelasamericas.org.
CINE LAS AMERICAS
Learn more at cinelasamericas.org.
FEMME FRONTERA
Learn more at femmefrontera.org
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Education, Cuisine, Spirituality, and Business)
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NORTH 2 SHORE FESTIVAL INAUGURAL DOUBLES IN SIZE
By Mabel Pais
- TOO BIG FOR ONE CITY
- TOO BIG FOR ONE WEEKEND
- THE FESTIVAL ONLY NEW JERSEY COULD CREATE: NORTH TO SHORE June 2023
NJPAC produces first-of-its-kind celebration of music, technology, comedy, and film over three jam-packed weekends in June 2023
Watch the promo video – youtu.be/u8o8pcvbspA
More than 60 new events featuring hundreds of New Jersey artists added to the lineup of three-city festival in Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City
Theatricals, comedy performances, visual arts exhibits and workshops, hip hop concerts, spoken word poetry readings, dance performances, storytelling events, fashion shows, street fairs and more added to expanding calendar of events for the NJPAC-produced June mega-festival. Hundreds of New Jersey artists will take center stage at more than 60 new events added to the lineup of the inaugural North to Shore Festival, the three-city, three-weekend summer celebration of the arts, film and tech slated for June 2023.
An extraordinarily diverse roster of artists who’ve built their creative careers in three of the state’s most iconic and culture-rich cities — Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City — will perform thanks to grants from the North to Shore Festival. This unprecedented festival is designed to illuminate the breadth of New Jersey’s cultural offerings and provide a unique window into the thriving arts scenes in each city.
Dozens of North to Shore grants have been awarded to artists and groups in each city to enable them to bring this spectacular tapestry to life on each weekend of the festival.
Listen to the announcements of the Governor & First Lady Tammy Murthy: youtu.be/yJtrwwZnJU0
Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy took the stage at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall, earlier this year, alongside NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Asbury Park Mayor John Moor, and Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small to announce the North to Shore Festival, an extraordinary three-city celebration of arts and technology launching on June 7.
This inaugural, month-long festival will showcase the talent, diversity and creativity this great state has to offer. Hosted by three incredible and unique cities, Atlantic City (June 7–11), Asbury Park (June 14–18) and Newark (June 21–25), the North to Shore Festival will bring together 50+ venues for an unprecedented celebration of Jersey-wide excellence, aligned with Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy’s vision for a festival worthy of the Garden State’s legacy in the arts and innovation.
“Today, we are thrilled to announce North to Shore — New Jersey’s first multi-city festival celebrating the very best of music, comedy, film, and technology,” said Governor Phil Murphy.
“This superstar event, held over three weekends in June, will attract folks from all over, creating another great reason for tourists to visit the Garden State as well as opportunities for local businesses in three of our iconic cities to shine. These festivals will generate economic activity and have a significant impact on our region and we look forward to shining a light on the diversity, creativity, and energy that makes New Jersey unique this summer.”
“Beyond our global superstar headliners, North to Shore will also showcase the headliners of tomorrow. From producers to artists, filmmakers to comedians, this month-long celebration will also serve as an opportunity to elevate dozens of local performers and talent,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “We look forward to sharing New Jersey’s exceptional culture with the rest of the country and enjoying a festival that will undoubtedly be like no other.”
Atlantic City (June 7 – 11)
Partner Venues:
Boardwalk Hall | Adrian Philips Theater
Resorts Superstar Theater
Tropicana
El Charro
Kelsey’s Supper Club
Rhythm & Spirits
Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
The Anchor Rock Club
Union Hall Arts
6/8 – Comedy and Open Mic Night with Michelle Tomko – Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
6/8 – Joe McGinty & The Loser’s Lounge – Anchor Rock Club
6/9 – Whole Health Pavilion – Stockton University, Atlantic City Campus
6/9 – Anthony Krizan (Spin Doctors) – Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
6/9 – Miss Cantaloupe/Molly Ringworm – Anchor Rock Club
6/9 – Colbie Caillat + Gavin DeGraw – Boardwalk Hall – Adrian Philips Theater*
6/10 – Jay Wheeler – Tropicana
Jay Wheeler
Saturday, June 10, 2023 – Tropicana
Considered the new urban music superstar, Puerto Rican reggaeton singer/songwriter Jay Wheeler is his fans’ “La Vox Favorita.”
6/10 – Remember Jones: BAT OUT OF HELL LIVE – Resorts Superstar Theater
Remember Jones
June 10, 2023 – Resorts Casino Hotel, Superstar Theater
You’re sure to remember the spectacular showmanship of NJ’s own soul/pop singer/storyteller Remember Jones
6/11 – Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour: Loni Love, Jess Hilarious, B. Simone, Jackie Fabulous, Nene Leakes – Boardwalk Hall – Adrian Philips Theater
Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour: Loni Love, Jess Hilarious, B. Simone, Jackie Fabulous, Nene Leakes
Sunday, June 11, 2023 – Boardwalk Hall, Adrian Phillips Theater
Four queens of comedy tear it up in AC this summer with The Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour, featuring Jess Hilarious, B. Simone, Jackie Fabulous + special guest Loni Love.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS
DJ Chiko and DJ Shino
June 9-11, 2023 – El Charro
Grab a margarita and dance the night away with DJ Chiko and DJ Shino, two of the hottest DJs in town.
Jazz Brunch: Tony Day Trio
June 11, 2023 – Kelsey’s Supper Club
Fancy a bit of jazz with your Sunday Brunch? Head over to Kelsey’s Supper Club for a morning of great music and delicious food.
Quizzo
June 7, 2023 – Tennessee Ave Beer Hall
Are you ready to get your trivia on? Grab a team and get yourself over to the Tennessee Ave Beer Hall for Quizzo.
Open Mic with Live Band
June 8, 2023 – Kelsey’s Supper Club
Head to our weekly open mic (featuring a live backing band) and show off your musical skills!
Yuengs, Wings, & Zings Comedy and Open Mic with Michelle Tomko
June 8, 2023 – Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
Get laughing and share a song at Yuengs, Wings, and Zings Open Mic, hosted by Michelle Tomko.
Amanda and Teddy Duo
June 9, 2023 – Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
The Amanda and Teddy Duo provide just the right amount of smooth with their original soul + rock tunes.
North 2 Shore Opening Night Dance Party | Featuring Joe McGinty & The Losers Lounge
Saturday, June 9, 2023 – The Anchor Rock Club
Bust out your best moves at the N2S opening dance party with The Loser’s Lounge performing the top pop music from 60s, 70s + 80s
Miss Canteloupe / Molly Ringworm
June 9, 2023 – The Anchor Rock Club
Catch Miss Cantaloupe and Molly Ringworm, two female-fronted indie rock acts that will blow your mind.
Anthony Krizan Band
June 10, 2023 – Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
Anthony Krizan (The Spin Doctors) goes solo with soulful, swampy rock & roll.
Resurrextion: Allman Brothers Tribute Band
June 10, 2023- Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
Ready for some classic Allman Brothers? Head down to the Tennessee Beer Garden for tribute band Resurrextion.
Weir Wolves Bob Weir Tribute
June 11, 2023 – Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
Head on down to the Tennessee Beer Garden for the Bob Weir tribute band, Weir-Wolves
TICKETS & UPDATES
Learn more about the North 2 Shore Festival at NorthtoShore.com.
Tickets for the North to Shore Festival are available at NorthtoShore.com.
Get Festival updates most quickly on social media.
Follow North to Shore on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.
(More listings to follow in the coming issues for Asbury Park & Newark)
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Education, Cuisine, Spirituality, and Business)
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DESI FILMS & EVENTS ARRIVE AT 2023 TRIBECA FEST
By Mabel Pais
MIDNIGHT SECTION – ESCAPE FROM TRIBECA
ADIPURUSH – World Premiere
Director: Om Raut | India | Action, Drama l 2h 54m | Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu w/Eng Subs
Adipurush. (Photo : tribecafilm.com) One of India’s most expensive film productions of all time, ‘Adipurush’ is a fun, family epic brought to life with song and lavish special-effects. Heroic Raghav (The Telugu Film Industry (slang: Tollywood) megastar Prabhas hails from a royal lineage in the city of Ayodhya. When his beloved wife, Janaki, is kidnapped by the vicious Raavan, the demon king of the island of Lanka, Raghav must go on an epic adventure to save her, aided by an incredible army of monkey warriors.
“Directed by award-winning filmmaker Om Raut, this action-heavy 3D spectacle has been one of India’s most talked-about and anticipated films in years. Brought to ‘Escape From Tribeca’ as a way of introducing our audience to the joys of popular Indian Cinema, we are both honored and ecstatic to host the World Premiere of ‘Adipurush’ right here in New York City this June. Best experienced with a crowd of adventurous cinema lovers, this will surely be a Tribeca Festival night for the ages.”––Matt Barone and Jonathan Penner.
Escape from Tribeca
Tribeca’s new, Psychotronic Sidebar, dedicated to movies that make audiences stomp their feet and shout out loud. Presenting the most fun horror, action, and fantasy films from around the globe, with giveaways, guests and contests that turn the screenings into one of a kind events unavailable anywhere else. Sure to please even the rowdiest movie lovers, ‘Escape from Tribeca’ celebrates the joys of the communal filmgoing experience.
For Key Credits, Cast & Crew, visit tribecafilm.com/films/escape-from-tribeca-adipurush-2023
Screenings in Person:
Thu June 15 – 8:00 PM @ AMC 19th St. East 6, and
Sat June 17 – 12:00 PM @ SVA Theatre
Check out tribecafilm.com for ticket availability.
SHORTS SECTION: ANIMATION
AMERICAN SIKH – World Premiere
Directors: Ryan Westra and Vishavjit Singh l USA l English l Short l 10m
New York, Animation, Documentary, Politics, Biography, Journalism
American Sikh. (Photo: sikhtoons.com) The true and unlikely story of an American born, turban-wearing Sikh man, Vishavjit Singh, who after a lifetime of facing prejudice, self-doubt and violence, finally finds acceptance in a superhero costume.
Due to the lack of representation and the statistically small global population of Sikhs as a whole, the vast majority of Americans and the world at large know almost nothing about Sikhs. Lack of knowledge is not only an education and awareness issue, but historically is the root of many issues such as xenophobia, intolerance, racism and violent hate crimes. What little knowledge people may have about Sikhs most often boils down to two things: a turban and a beard. This is the image that needs to be transformed – and that’s exactly what Sikh Captain America, Vishavjit Singh, is set out to do.
Sikh Captain America is changing the narrative on Sikhs (and anyone else who may not look “traditionally American”) — creating a new American hero that challenges societal expectations and norms. This film also follows his journey of accepting his own identity.
People have grown up idolizing superheroes for decades. Sikh Captain America may not fight evil monsters, but he takes on hate and intolerance that are sadly still very much part of our contemporary society. That’s why an animated documentary, much like the superhero cartoons we’ve all grown up watching, is such a unique way to raise awareness about Sikhs domestically and internationally in a style that people of all cultures and ages can enjoy.
Vishavjit Singh
Vishavjit Singh is a New York City based illustrator, writer, performance artist, diversity speaker and creator of Sikhtoons.com. He got his spark for cartooning in the post 9/11 tragedy when Americans with turbaned and bearded countenance became targets of hate/bias crimes.
“I am a radical listener, status quo disruptor & social narrative innovator. I have tapped into my own vulnerabilities as a genocide survivor and a constant target of hate/bias into a transformational force,” Singh says.
For the past few years Vishavjit has been traveling across the U.S. with his Sikh Captain America persona armed with a turban, beard and humor to tackle fear, anxiety, bigotry and intolerance. He uses storytelling as a tool to create a space for challenging conversations around identity, race, bias, vulnerability and how to be agents for change. Vishavjit hosts talks & keynotes in schools, universities, government agencies and companies including Google, Apple, NASA & Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic he has been working with the city of NYC Test & Trace Corps and a local NGO UNITED SIKHS on COVID-19 suppression and relief efforts. His message and work have been covered by a number of news outlets, including the New York Times, NPR, BBC, The Atlantic, Huffington Post, The Guardian and Time Magazine.
For Key Credits, Cast & Crew, visit tribecafilm.com/films/american-sikh-2023
Screenings: In Person
Sat June 10 – 5:15 PM @ AMC 19th St. East 6, and
Sun June 11 – 2:15 PM @ AMC 19th St. East 6
Sat June 17 – 12:15 PM @ AMC 19th St. East 6
Tribeca At Home: Streaming June 19 – July 2
SOUTH ASIAN HOUSE (SAH)
SOUTH ASIAN HOUSE makes its TRIBECA DEBUT
TRIBECA PROGRAM
Panels: Friday, June 16 @ 1 & 3 pm
SAH PROGRAM
Celebrations (Venue & Time: To Be Decided)
Friday, June 16 evening, StoryLounge Variety Show, and
Saturday, June 17, Desi Drag Brunch
The South Asian House (SAH) will present events at the Tribeca Festival (SAH @ TF) for the first time on June 16th to highlight, recognize, and appreciate South Asians in film and television.
SAH Co-Founders- (Left to Right) – Kirtana Banskota, Jitin Hingorani, Rohi Mirza Pandya & Monika Samtani. (Photo : Satwic Mudigulam) The brainchild of veteran producers, curators, and programmers: Jitin Hingorani (Jingo Media & DFW South Asian Film Festival), Rohi Mirza Pandya (Box Office Guru Media & Desipina), Monika Samtani (Ms. Media & The Fem Word), and Kirtana Banskota (Banskota Productions & Nepal America Film Society), SAH @ TF will showcase programming focused on the funding, creation, and distribution of uniquely South Asian stories for a global audience. The day will consist of two panel discussions (1 p.m. and 3 p.m.) focused on content creation in the diaspora and the Indian film industry, respectively, featuring actors, directors, and producers and will be part of the AT&T Untold Stories Lounge at Spring Studios.
“Following on the heels of the success of the South Asian House at South by Southwest (SXSW) in March, we are truly thrilled to be commissioned to curate SAH at this iconic New York-based festival that has been home to many of us for years,” said lead co-producers Hingorani and Mirza Pandya. “Our filmmakers are making tremendous headway in Hollywood, while the Indian film industry is creating content that is winning Oscars. It’s time to celebrate these major achievements as a diaspora and a fraternity!”
In addition to the co-branded programming with Tribeca Festival, SAH will host two unique celebrations around Manhattan that weekend (venues TBD). On Friday, June 16th, NYC comedians and musicians will take center stage at the StoryLounge Variety Show to celebrate the power of the spoken word, and on Saturday, June 17th, a Desi Drag Brunch, conceptualized by One Minute Saree, will bring together Bollywood drag performances paired with the staple of Indian fashion – the forever-fashionable saree.
“South Asians content creators are in the global spotlight for raising the bar through their ingenuity and passion,” said David Speer, Director of Operations at Tribeca Enterprises. “Tribeca is proud to showcase ground-breaking South Asian storytelling; this year, we are especially thrilled to welcome the South Asian House to celebrate the diaspora.”
For details on the programming and how to claim your spot at any of the events, follow @southasianhouse on Instagram or visit southasianhouse.com.
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Education, Cuisine, Spirituality, and Business)