Infused Performing Arts Half-Time Show

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Photos by Murali Santhana

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  By Vanshika Vipin

HOUSTON:  There was a wonderful surprise in store at the Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City (OKC) game on Sunday, April 3. The Infused Performing Arts Bollywood Dance Company & Dance School presented their 4th halftime performance, wherein 30 talented artists represented the best of Bollywood.

The dazzling medley included classical, folk, Bollywood, hip-hop, bhangra, and kuthu styles of dance featured in just 5 minutes. The spectacular performance had amazing lifts and stunts by Infused Dance Company, which is also known for the largest group of male dancers in Houston. Naturally, the songs had to be a super-hit mix, and the list included current favorite Pinga with other popular numbers like Apsara Aali, Malhaari, BannoTera Swagger, and a Fast Beats Medley.

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Apart from the superb dancing, the audience was equally taken in by the colorful vermillion-and-blue shaded costumes of the dancers. The performers looked resplendent in their bright costumes, with their hair done and make-up done in the typical traditional manner, with an addition of gorgeous flowers in the hair.

It was interesting to see artists of all ages perform in unison, with the younger ones doing as well as the more experienced members.

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The incredible lighting by Balu Madhu and Kiran Asokan, which was done for the first time by a Bollywood Dance Company, ensured that the entire Toyota Center was blacked out and the focus was only on the center stage. And why not? It’s not every day you get to see a Bollywood medley with superb dance, music, choreography and costumes.

The energetic dancers set the stage on fire, and added that extra zing by not limiting themselves to the stage and making the performance interactive.

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Incidentally, the verdict of the basketball game was: Rockets beat OKC 118 to 110. Was it thanks to Infusion doubling up as a lucky charm? We certainly think so! The Infusion luck has always worked as every time Infused performed the halftime show (this is their 4th year in a row), Rockets have beat different opponents at EVERY game.

Infused Performing Arts provides Bollywood dance classes and custom choreography for special occasions and competitions, for all ages at their studios in Stafford, Pearland, Katy, and Dallas. Choreographers Kiron Kumar and Tina Bose, a husband-wife-duo, are highly experienced, well-trained professional performers and dance teachers, who also directed and choreographed this act.

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After the game, a visibly overjoyed Tina said: “We have been practicing for two whole months! I am so happy with the performance. The lighting and cheering by the audience while and after our performance, added to my joy. Our hard work has paid off! I’d especially like to thank Rathna Kumar of Anjali Center and Vipin Kumar of India House for giving us space for our practices.”

For those who want to enjoy some of their upcoming shows, their 3rd Bollywood Blast Production ‘Kaleidoscope’ will be held at Miller Outdoor Theatre on Sunday, September 4. Dancers who wish to be a part of their troupe can attend auditions for the same that will be held at Anjali Centre on May 8 (5-7pm). Also their 6th Annual Production ‘INFUSION 2016’ will be held on November 19, 2016 at Stafford Civic Centre. Mark your dates, Bollywood fans!

For further details contact them at 724-638-7338 or visit www.infusedperformingarts.com
You can watch the performance video at:  https://vimeo.com/161491325

Photography: Murali Santhana
Videography: AUME Motion Arts