LOTUS FINE ARTS PRODUCTIONS INC DBA LOTUS MUSIC & DANCE STUDIOS

Lotus Music & Dance is a cultural and educational institution dedicated to the teaching, performance and preservation of the dance and music traditions of all world cultures. The activities by our master artists foster artistic development, as well as cultural and social exchange. Our intention is to celebrate and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures of the world.In 2024-2025, Lotus served over 23,930, people. Lotuss programs gave over 338 artists opportunities to present their art throughout the year. Lotus produced performances and events which attracted over 9,032 in person attendees. Lotus artists participated in 84 events that were presented by other organizations. These workshops and performances reached a combined audience of approximately 12,630 people. This number includes 84 programs in 23 public and private schools, reaching approximately 12,630 school children preK3-12. Our audiences represent virtually every ethnic community in New York City as well as dance aficionados and scholars of Asian, African, Hispanic, European and Native American culture. From October to June, we brought Native American and World Dance Passport Arts in Education programs to NYC public schools for grades preK3 to 12th grade. These programs aligned with the social studies curriculum and linked to the Drums Along the Hudson Festival. Lotus produced performances such as World Dance Festival: Dancing Across Cultural Borders at Riverside Church Theater and the World Music Series at Roulette Intermedium (8 concerts) supported by the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. World Dance Festival Artists groups included Nadanam Bharatanatyam Collective, Kathak & Friends Ensemble, Along the Caravan Route: Flamenco, Persian and North Indian Kathak Dances. The World Music Series highlighted Ali Akbar Moradi & Pejman Hadadi: Sacred Music of Kurdistan, Flamenco Festival:La Bsqueda del Duende (The Search for Duende)Antonio El Turry" featuring Paco Jarana (guitar), Nibal Malshi - Songs of the Arab World, Guillermina Quiroga Tango Company with the Maurizio Najt Tango Quartet, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan and Shakir Khan with Anubrata Chatterjee: Indian Masters, Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers: Sufi Songs of Pakistan, Oghlan Bakhshi & Zyyada Jumayeva: Turkmen Music from the Steppes of Iran and Central Asia, Simon Shaheen Ensemble: Music of the Arab World.We also celebrated our twenty third annual flagship event, Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American and Multicultural Celebration, in collaboration with the NYC Parks Department at Inwood Hill Park, with support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the NY City Council and the Howard Gilman Foundation. Drums Along the Hudson includes storytelling, crafts, cuisine and an environmental tent. In keeping with Native American 7th Generation philosophy that everything we do should consider the effect it will have on seven generations, the environmental tent hosts groups that promote environmental awareness. Six artist groups, chosen based on talent, authenticity, and drum presentation, were Batala NY, Kitchen West African Dane, Kasibahagua Taino Cultural Society and The Cordillera Cultural Society, Kalpulli Huehuethlatholi Aztec Drummers & Dancers, the Haudenosaunee Mohawk Nation Dancers and theThunderbird American Indian Dancers and Drummers. It included over 40 native dancers in full regalia who danced to the resounding host drums of Heyna Second Sons. Nitchen provided Native crafts and storytelling for children of all ages. Lotus strives to be truly global in outlook and has been of special service to under-represented groups in a way unmatched by other cultural organizations.