Press Releases
San Clemente, CA – Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, a nonprofit southern California cultural center, announces its lineup for Indian cultural programming in the Casa Captivating 2021-22 season. These events are part of Casa Romantica’s brand new thematic Connections programming, which pairs a cluster of events to specific themes. Beyond Bollywood features cultural performances and workshops during the months of October and November to coincide with the celebration of Diwali, an Indian holiday also known as the “Festival of Lights.”
“Casa Romantica is proud to introduce our new Connections program with Beyond Bollywood, cultural events around the Indian holiday of Diwali,” says Amy Behrens, Executive Director. “With Orange County being home to such a diverse group of people and artists, we want to bring that representation into our programming and share these experiences with our community.”
Event Lineup
Traditional Yoga with YNG Studio
Every Tuesday for four weeks from October 12 – November 2, 2021 @ 6 PM | General $80; Casa Romantica Members $60 (all four weeks)
Description: A traditional yoga class celebrating the original Hindu origins of yoga with instructors Deborah Miller and Nicole Bray from San Clemente’s YNG Studio.
Aki Kumar: Bollywood Blues
Thursday, October 21, 2021 @ 7 PM | Cover charge $12
Description: Aki Kumar is a San Jose-based musician that has successfully blended elements of Indian music into his performances, making for a multicultural mash-up that sounds like no one else. A native of Mumbai, India, Aki Kumar moved to the U.S. to work as a software engineer but instead fell in love with the sound of blues music.
Mandala Rock Painting
Every Tuesday for four weeks from October 27 – November 17, 2021 @ 4 PM | General $120; Casa Romantica Members $100 (all four weeks)
Description: Practice mindfulness using this Indian painting technique in this class series led by Kelly Gallaher.
D. Yoder Family Sundays: Celebration of Diwali, “Festival of Lights”
Sunday, November 7, 2021 from 10 AM – 2 PM | FREE and open to the public
Description: Casa Romantica’s monthly free community event includes Diwali-themed crafts for children and a free Indian dance class with Blue13 Dance Company choreographer and USC Professor of Dance lecturer Achinta McDaniel. Dance class starts at 11 AM.
Casa Cinema: Monsoon Wedding
Tuesday, November 9, 2021 @ 6 PM | General $10; Casa Romantica Members $5
Description: A BAFTA-winning film about family, love, and the traditions of Indian weddings. This film is rated R. The film will be screened inside Casa Romantica’s Main Salon.
Casa Kinetic: Blue13 Dance Company
Friday, November 12, 2021 @ 7 PM | General $40; Casa Romantica Members $35
Description: Highly energetic and theatrical, Los Angeles-based Blue13 Dance Company performs in a modern dance style that is inspired by the classical and cultural art forms of India.
Tickets and classes are available now for all Beyond Bollywood events at CasaRomantica.org/Calendar or call at (949) 498-2139 for reservations.
About Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens maintains a robust series of year-round programs in arts, music, history, horticulture, and literature for all ages. Casa Romantica has commissioned several critically-acclaimed works, including Casa Classic: Opera Through the Seasons (2021; site-specific commission), Casa Kinetic: Tango Romantica (2021; dance), Open Casa: Who was Nellie Gail Moulton? (2020; visual art), Casa Coastal: Murals of Levi Ponce (2019; visual art), Casa Theater: The Odd-Essy (2019; theater), Casa Kinetic: Culture Shock LA Hip Hop (2019; dance); Casa Coastal: The Art of Baja California (2018; visual art), Casa Theater: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2018; theater), Casa Kinetic: Celebrating Tap Dance Legends (2018; dance), Casa Coastal: Rebecca Louise Law (2017; visual art), Casa Kinetic: Contemporary Dance Collective (2017; contemporary dance), and Open Casa: The Photographs of Douglas Kirkland (2015; visual art). The 2020-21 Casa Captivating season includes an expanded dance (Casa Kinetic), theater (Casa Theater), and concert series (Casa Vibes), visual and performing arts commissions, and an expanded Casa Kids education program.
Casa Romantica also hosts a variety of free arts education programs for children year-round. The institution’s annual Casa Romantica Music Festival and Academy has received critical praise for its comprehensive two-week music studies program in cello, piano, viola, and violin. Casa Romantica also offers a Summer Dance Workshop, a Spring Break Arts Week, various art, literature, and horticulture events to grades K-12, and welcomes over 6,000 children from the Capistrano Unified School District each year for STEAM-based field trips that examine the history of San Clemente and the coastal environment.
Mission Statement: Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization and is the historic home of the founder of the City of San Clemente. Casa Romantica provides programs for all ages in arts, music, history, and horticulture and is a premier Southern California cultural center.
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is located at 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672. Hours: Tuesday—Thursday 10 am—4 pm; Friday—Sunday 10am—2pm; closed Mondays and holidays. General admission is $5; Casa Members, active military with ID, and children under age 13 visit for FREE. For more information, call (949) 498-2139 or visit CasaRomantica.org
