PASSPORT TO THE WORLD: INDIA FESTIVAL
Celebrations on May 8, 10 & 11

CHICAGO : Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) www.PCSChicago.org partners with Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier in organizing the PASSPORT TO THE WORLD: India Festival Celebrations. The events are to celebrate Asian American Heritage month of May. The PCS performances are on Thursday May 8th, 6pm-7pm, Saturday May 10, 6pm-7 pm, and Sunday May 11th. 2008, at 2 pm-4 pm. A mosaic of diverse traditions from India with Punjabi Folk Dances BHANGRA & GIDHA by PCS Children teams, Turban Tying, Mehendi, Rangoli, Bindi, and other Indian performing arts will be presented.

The program on May 8th and May 10th. at 6 pm - 7 pm offers learning Punjabi song and Dhol by Maninder Singh, Bhangra 101 by Shamila Khetarpal and Sargam Group, Turban Tying instructions by SAHO volunteers, and Rangoli art. Admission is free on Thursday at Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago , IL . 60611, (312) 527-1000, http://www.pcschicago.org/youth/kids/ChildrensMuseum.htm www.chichildrensmuseum.org .

Free buses have been arranged to transport community members on Sunday, May 11, 2008 from Palatine, Devon Avenue, and Crown Point Indiana to Navy Pier. Three buses will depart at 12 noon from Palatine Gurdwara 1280 Winnetka St., Palatine, IL. 60067. One bus will depart at 12 noon from Indo-American Center and 12:30pm from Devon Avenue Gurdwara, 2331 W. Devon Ave.Chicago (Bus loading near Mutual Bank 6335 N. Western Ave.). One bus will leave at 12:00noon from Crown Point Gurudwara Sahib, 10005 Colorado Street, Crown Point IN. 46307. Return for all buses from Navy Pier will be at 5PM .

Bus from Devon Ave. will stop at Indo-American Center around 12noon, call (773) 274-6969 or (773) 973-4444. Please contact P.C.S. at 847-359-5PCS info@PCSChicago.org to confirm space on the bus before May 11th. Advance reservations are encouraged due to limited space. You can also come directly on your own, please contact us for free entry passes.

The program on May 11 will begin at 2 pm with a procession on Navy Pier led by Punjabi Dhol drums group including Kevindeep S. Atwal, Maninder Singh, Iqbaal Lall, Jasprit Singh, Sunny Randhawa, Ryan Singh and Sukhi Basati and other Dholi (Punjabi drummers), and street dancing starting on the south deck of Navy Pier near RIVA restaurant and ending inside Chicago Children’s museum.

The program inside the museum includes Indian/Punjabi/Sikh cultural performances, learning to sing Punjabi folk songs, playing Punjabi Dhol drum, demonstrations of how to tie a turban, and Bhangra101 dance lessons, Bindi, Mehndi, and Rangoli art. The PCS children's teams dance performances are at 3 pm followed by Bhangra, and the turban tying at 2:30 pm by Sikh American Heritage Organization.

“Passport to the World is designed to expose children to a variety of cultures and to affirm each child’s own cultural identity and ethnic heritage.” Said Keith McCormick, CCM’s director of cultural
programs. “It is our hope that programs like Passport to India help prepare young children to thrive in a world that is increasingly interracial and intercultural, and demonstrates to them
that cultural differences should not be simply tolerated, but appreciated, encouraged and nurtured.”

"This is a great opportunity to share our culture and outreach to the mainstream community children who are going to become the leaders of tomorrow," said Amarjit Kaur Atwal, the PCS president.

“Passport to the World provides us an excellent forum and an opportunity to share our rich Punjabi Indian culture, fine art exhibits, music, dance and performing arts with the mainstream fellow
Americans,” said Mohinderjit Singh Saini, managing director of the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago www.PCSChicago.org and ambassador for Passport to India . “It is very important for all, especially the children, to experience other cultures because this will strengthen their understanding of other cultures and of people who may look different or wear different clothing."
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For more information please contact, MOHinderjit S. Saini (847) 705-0434, RAJinderbir S. Mago (630) 440-7730, Sunny Kular (312) 226-4425, Onkar S. Sangha (630) 833-8091, Bhinder S. Pamma (847) 991-8689, Amarjeet K. Atwal (847) 564-4735, Ronny S. Kular (312) 226-4425, Baljeet K. Sangha (630) 833-8091, Lakhwant S. Komal (847) 674-9074, Parminder S. Ghotra (847) 414-3041, Kirpal K. Lall (630) 462-1577, Amarpal S. Matharu (847) 492-9132, Jasbir S. Palia (219) 924-5250 Paul Singh 224-715-0395, Balwinder S. Girn (847) 947-1129 or via e-mail to Info@PCSChicago.org or website www.PCSChicago.org

Passport to the World is a series of celebrations that focuses on the arts and traditions of Chicago 's culturally diverse neighborhoods. This program provides children, adults and caregivers with year-round
opportunities to experience and learn more about the world around them. Passport to the World features authentic cultural programming that represents the art, culture, and traditions, of a particular country;
all participating artists, performers and workshop leaders are members of the featured culture. Performers work with professional and student groups as well as other organizations prominent in their community. Each Passport to the World celebration culminates in an activity-rich, three-day festival held throughout the museum. Current Passport to the World community partners include Chicago ’s Mexican, Native American, Nigerian, Irish, Indian, Polish, Chinese, Puerto Rican, Persian, Greece and Korean communities.

Chicago Children’s Museum is a non-profit organization committed to creating a community where play and learning connect. CCM teaches children through hands-on, interactive exhibits and programs. With over fifteen interactive exhibits such as, The Allstate Foundation presents. “Play It Safe” and new activities daily, every visit is unique for parents, caregivers, educators and children from toddlers-to 10 years. Located at Navy Pier, Chicago ’s number one attraction at 700 East Grand Avenue , CCM is the final stop for CTA buses #29, #65, #66 and #124. For more information, please visit www.ChiChildrensMuseum.org

The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is a not-for-profit community
organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing
arts, healthy life style and sports, education, and good citizenship in
the metropolitan Chicago area. For further information please contact:

Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago .
P. O. Box 1244, Palatine , IL. 60074
(847) 359-5727, Fax: (847) 359-1107
e-mail: info@PCSChicago.org
web www.PCSChicago.org