Desi Christmas - Denver's Christmas in India

Denver has many Christmases. One that has been going on for the past several years is Desi Christmas, a free Indian celebration complete with dancing, spicy Indian food, Mehandi, cultural events and multi-lingual songs. There will also be surprise gifts and gifts for the kids as well as kids' programs, says the organization. Food is vegetarian and non-vegetarian, and prizes will be given for the best Indian dress. Free transportation is available, they say, call 720.560.7676. It takes place this weekend, December 8^th 2007, in Westminster at the Tri-City auditorium, starting at 4:30pm (but come at 4 o'clock for added attractions!).

The Indian subcontinent is diverse like the United States, but with a different variety of ethnicities. When you include ethnic relatives from countries near India, the number of languages, cultures and religions represented increases even more. According to Wikipedia, although it is India's third largest religion, only 2.3% of Indians said they were Christian in 2001. Coming to America they discover what it is like to be practicing the most popular religion, but with very different customs!

If you want to explore Indian Christmas items, Real Things Imports on Broadway in Englewood says that they have quite a selection. It's an interesting place to visit as well, as ordinary items such as doors from places like India become, in their shop, pieces of furniture and other unusual decorative pieces. They are planning to be at Desi Christmas, and gifting some items as well.

If Desi Christmas inspires you to do some Indian cooking, there are quite a few Indian grocery stores in the area, and many more in Boulder and other area cities. You can even rent Bollywood films at many of them, and get CDs of your favorite Indian music. Even if America is now home, old familiar culture is always necessary. Check the links below for more information.

Denver Bollywood Masti presents Bollywood films, and other theaters in the area also import Indian treats for Denver audiences to see. The lush, fantasy productions are famous worldwide.

Indian dance is, like the music, like nothing you've ever known, but somehow it draws you in. Denver's own Bollywood West dance studio has classes and performances in the Front Range area in Bollywood, Bhangra, and Indian fusion dance styles.

Along those lines, there is a fellow in Australia who goes by the name of boymongoose, who has done a wonderful album of Indian "versions" of Christmas carols, pairing up with a friend from Sri Lanka. On his MySpace page (and on YouTube) is his animated version of the "12 Days of Christmas" that is a wonderful insight into Indian culture, and a delicious riot! You can even get the CD.

Why not visit Desi Christmas this weekend, and use it as a jumping-off point for other Indian adventures in Denver, whether shopping, cooking, dining out, or even a concert or film? The Desi Christmas folks are working hard to welcome you with a cultural treat.

www.desichristmas.com

www.realthingsimports.com

www.myspace.com/boymongoose

http://www.iaocdenver.org/index.html

http://www.desihumtum.com/YellowPages.aspx?id=24

http://nripulse.com/CityNews_Il_ICAA.html

http://denverbollywoodmasti.com/

Bollywood West