The power of Das’ personality and creative vision could be overwhelming. Rachna Nivas was a 21-year-old Cal undergrad when a friend invited her along to check out a class he was teaching. Born and raised in the South Bay to Indian parents, she was proud of her South Asian heritage and familiar with Kathak, but she had never interacted with a master artist in full flight. “I walked into this room, and there were about 15 women just dripping in sweat,” she said. “They were so focused. They didn’t look right or left, and the room was electric with the sound of the bells on their feet and of the tabla. And then there was this man doing more things at once than seemed humanly possible. He was playing, reciting, teaching, jumping up and going up to each person, calling them out on specific aspects of their life and personality. It was not an India that I knew. I never knew that dance could be so spiritual, so encompassing and questioning your very identity. At that point, I just wanted more.” Along with three other senior disciples, Rachna will continue to run the dance company and Chhandam School, which has expanded greatly over the past decade with about 500 students in the Bay Area alone (and many more in affiliated branches in Los Angeles, Boston, Toronto, Mumbai and Kolkata). The institution reflects Das’ passionate commitment to teaching as the essence of an artist’s responsibility.
Piedmont’s annual tree lighting will be from 7:15-8:15 p.m, Dec, 1 at Piedmont Community Hall, Information: 510-420-3070, www.ci.piedmont.ca.us, At 4 p.m, Dec, 4 in Concord’s Todos Santos Plaza, Santa and his elves will make their entrance on a fire truck and then hear children’s Christmas wishes, There also will be a tree lighting, the Mayor’s Sing-Along and carriage rides, ABC-TV news anchor Dan Ashley will emcee, Information: 925-671-3464, www.concordfirst.org, The Richmond Main Street Holiday Festival, at Nevin Park and Community Center, will feature a tree lighting and performances by local children, It’s from 10 a.m.-noon for preschool and ballet slippers paint kindergarten and 5-7:30 p.m, for the general public on Dec, 8, Information: www.richmondmainstreet.org, 510-236-4049..
Summer Beats Concert Series. South Shore Center’s free summer music program continues with “Pride and Joy.” Along with the live music, there will be family activities, face painting, henna tattoos, bouncy houses and more. 5 to 7 p.m. July 30. SouthShore Center, Park Street and Otis Drive, Alameda. Free. www.alamedasouthshorecenter.com. Harry Potter Party and Book Swap. Sorry, everyone else, it’s teens only for this Harry Potter Party and book swap. 3 p.m. July 30. Alameda Free Library, 1550 Oak St., Alameda. Free. 510-747-7777, www.alamedaca.gov.
Old Woodside Store Day, Noon-4 p.m, May 4, A volunteer docent group, the Woodside Storekeepers, will invite visitors to experience life in the 1880s, Woodside Store, corner of Tripp and Kings Mountain roads, Woodside, Woodside Store is a San Mateo County ballet slippers paint Park operated by the San Mateo County Historical Association, www.historysmc.org or 650-299-0104, Old-Fashioned Fourth of July for Children, 10 a.m.-4 p.m, July 4, San Mateo County History Museum, Food, crafts, Museum admission will be half-price that day: $2.50 for adults, $1.50 for seniors and students, free for kids 5 and under, www.historysmc.org or 650-299-0104..
Richmond, as the official site of the nation’s tribute to the workers of the World War II home front, is out to make history by bringing the record home. There are requirements for those who want to participate and help set the new mark. Organizers say all participants must wear. Not allowed are faded denim jeans, denim shirts, bib overalls, T-shirts, or sweatsuits. To assist with the wardrobe, the Rosie the Riveter Trust is offering an official bandanna and pair of red socks for $7, available at the event or in advance at the national park visitor education center.
