ARTICLE
The Ringling Announces Bhangra Dance Party DJ Rekha to Appear Sept. 19 Contact Name: Virginia Harshman Contact Email: virginia.harshman@ringling.org Contact Phone Number: 941-359-5700 ext 2803 Immediate Release Sarasota, Florida-Turn up those end of summer vibes at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art this September with internationally-known artist DJ Rekha. As a key player in the New York City club seen, DJ Rekha will be transporting her famous NYC live DJ dance experience right here to the Museum of Art Courtyard Sept. 19, 2019, in celebration of the exhibition Fabric of India. Bask in the Florida sunshine while undergoing sensory overload with South Asian bhangra music layered with hip-hop, dancehall and electronic sounds to recreate that unforgettable New York City dance party. The event is part of the museum’s popular Art After 5 program. Rekha, a London-born musician, DJ, producer and activist, has been credited with pioneering Bhangra music in North America. Her first album, DJ Rekha Presents Basement Bhangra, released in October 2007, fused the Indian genre of bhangra music with international hip-hop and drum beats. Her live DJ sets often incorporate dancers, visuals, and percussion and infuse global bass with contemporary South Asian rhythms in a unique style that creates an irresistible dance experience. DJ Rekha launched a monthly party that became a sensation in NYC. She has collaborated with an array of artists including Wyclef Jean, Panjabi MC and Bikram Singh. She popularized the traditional-modern bhangra blend, making the genre a part of NYC nightlife and provided the soundtrack for a generation of diasporic South Asians, creating a progressive, inclusive entertainment experience for the past two decades. “We are thrilled to be able to present DJ Rekha to our Art After 5 audience,” said Sonja Shea, The Ringling’s Assistant Performance Producer. “We believe this performance will be a celebration of the Fabric of India exhibition that is currently on view.” Tickets are 15.00 or 13.50 for members and include Art After 5 admission. Tickets may be purchased at www.ringling.org or by calling 941-358-3180 # # # About The Ringling The Ringling is a pre-eminent center for the arts, history and learning that is dedicated to bringing the past and contemporary culture to life through extraordinary visitor experiences. From its inception, The Ringling has joined the diverse visual traditions and theatrical spectacle of yesterday with the genre-defying global practitioners of the present. A place of exploration, discovery and respite, The Ringling’s campus in Sarasota, Florida – which includes the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, an historic mansion, an 18th-century theater and bayfront gardens – is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As the State Art Museum of Florida and part of Florida State University, The Ringling fulfills an important educational mission. The Ringling offers formal and informal programs of study serving as a major resource for students, scholars, and lifelong learners of every age within the region, across the country and around the world. Media Contacts: The Ringling Virginia Harshman Public relations specialist 941-359-5700 x2803 Virginia.harshman@ringling.org