Nirmal Pathak of Canton rehearses the Bharatanatyam for his arangetram Saturday. Pathak has studied the dance form for nine years in preparation for his debut stage performance.
By Evelyn Cairns
A Dixieland jazz parade, a cake walk, a musical and comedy revue and a Harold Lloyd silent film are among the attractions planned for the annual Ragtime Street Fair Saturday and Sunday at Greenfield Village.
The fun starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and continues to 5 p.m. On Sunday, the hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
On both days, dance demonstrations and instruction on ragtime-era dance steps will be available, along with performances by ragtime piano players Taslimah Bey, “Perfessor” Bill Edwards, Nan Bostick and John Remmers and the Tartarsauce Traditional Jazz Band.
Visitors will have an opportunity to win a cake in the cake walk and see the slapstick silent movie featuring Harold Lloyd with live piano accompaniment. Food will be prepared on the site by village chefs.
Saturday evening activities will include a River Raisin Ragtime Revue concert at 7 p.m. and a Dixieland jazz parade led by Tartarsauce around the Village Green and down Main Street.
The cost, which includes all activities, is $22, adults; $21, seniors; and $16, youths. Children 4 and under will be admitted free.
For additional information, call (313) 982-6001 or go to www.thehenryford.org/village/index.aspx.
Dance student has distinction
After studying classical Indian dance for nine years, Nirmal Pathak of Canton will present his Bharatanatyam arangetram July 16 as the only male in Michigan — and perhaps North America — to master the ancient Indian dance form.
The arangetram is the debut stage performance of Bharatanatyam students. Pathak, 18, a student of Chaula Thacker at the Chauladevi Institute of Dance and Yoga, will perform seven solos at his arangetram.
Accompanying him in supporting roles during several segments of the two-hour performance will be Ishani Shah, Pooja Patel and Megha Patel of Canton; Shweta Pandya and Ishita Pandy of Sterling Heights; Neha Gupta of Bloomfield Hills; and Sonal Gupta of Troy.
More than 500 guests will gather for a dinner party afterward to celebrate the occasion.
Pathak also plays and studies the Indian musical instruments tabla and dhol.
A June graduate of Canton High school, he plans to attend Michigan State University in the fall to pursue a degree in business administration.
Czech festival is July 16, 17
The largest Czech and Slovak festival in Michigan will take place from 1 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Sokol Cultural Center, 23600 W. Warren in Dearborn Heights.
A marketplace will feature ethnic Christmas ornaments, crystal jewelry, imported crystal, a Kraj boutique, hand-crafted items, ethnic foods, a pastry booth and im-ported beers and wines.
In addition, continuous music will be provided by bands featuring Millie Okapal, Joe Tomes and Hank Hal-ler, and ethnic dances will be performed.
Admission is $5; children under 14 will be admitted free. For more information, call (734) 542-4820 or go to www.sokoldetroit.com.
Coming up . . .
July 22, 23, 24 — Trenton Roar on the River and Roar in the Park, sponsored by the Trenton Rotary Club at Elizabeth Park; featuring Taste of the Races and concert on July 22 and races on July 23 and 24; other events will include jet ski exhibitions, concerts, a pancake breakfast, Roar Idol talent competition and a car show; for details, go to www.trentonroarontheriver.com.
July 23 — Lecture on Michigan and the Civil War by author Jack Dempsey, an expert on the state’s place in the war; 10 a.m. at the Anderson Theatre of The Henry Ford, with a question period to follow; free admission, no ticket required; for more information, call (313) 982-6001 or go to www.thehenryford.com.