WHCC in the Taste of Times Square June 7, 2010

Festival of Food and Fun at Taste of Times Square
On Monday June 7th 2010, Times Square was transformed into a rarely seen neighborhood block party when World Heritage Cultural Center (WHCC) came together with the Times Square Alliance, local restaurants and WHCC artists to showcase a festival of food and fun in New York City.

This fun festival which spanned several blocks of Times Square was one of the many events that World Heritage Cultural Center has put on in alignment with their mission in creating a common ground where any culture in the world can come and celebrate their way of life through the Arts & Food.

World Heritage Cultural Center has hosted the first Multicultural Stage in the 17th year of the Taste of Times Square, that involved restaurants selling their yummy treats to hungry eaters while WHCC’s stage kept their energy up with songs and dances from all over the world. Fashion designer Asher Jay and expert dancer Ryan Holder were the MC’s for the evening.

While international DJ Ash spinned music for the audience to dance to, and a variety of dancers took space on the stage to share dances from Hip Hop to Bollywood and Latin there was never a dull moment at this festival. Unified Dancers which were a group of high-school aged students took the audiences breathe away when they performed a mix of Micheal Jacksons music with dancers even performing his famous “moonwalk”. Bollywood Funk, Dancing Shiva and Seeta David dancers performed contemporary dance steps to Bollywood music and Ancestral Horizons & Recklez Riddimmz - African drummers/Caribbean drummers created sounds that were true to their tribal roots. Latin Sensations "Piel Canela Dancers" danced away as Heart Break Kids and Daraja (Houston) brought Hip/Hop and Rap music to live on stage. Italian Opera Singer Cristina Fontanelli made a special appearance on stage as well.
When asked a few spectators at the show about their thoughts of the event here is what they had to say: MC Asher Jay said “The performance excerpts featured this evening emphasized customs embraced by various collectives, from dated legacies to contemporary colloquialisms, only to eloquently highlight the fact that human expression can neither be bound by tense nor space."
Manoj Rajwani (Audience) “The WHCC’s show was an amazing experience. I was inspired by the talent that performed and I felt like I was part of a very special night. At the end of the night I realized the power of music, dance and the mission of WHCC. It’s about bringing us all together to appreciate the beauty that is present in all of our cultures.
Mitchell Henning (Times Square Alliance): "I'm very impressed with what you are doing, WHCC kept the crowd here and I will recommend you to everyone! I can't wait for next year!" These are just a couple of thoughts out of the many who appreciated the festivities.
Through their hard work and commitment in creating a common ground where any culture can shine and making a positive impact through knowledge & charity, both Sattie Persaud and JuanCarlos Gonzalez, the founders of World Heritage Cultural Center were able to create an amazing spectacle of festivity and learning for those lucky enough to have experience the fun at the Taste of Times Square.

Bollywood Funk
Bollywood Funk NYC Dance Company is New York City's only dance troupe specializing in an innovative fusion of jazz, hip-hop and funk with the urban flavor of India's vibrant Bollywood music and culture. Comprised of dancers from a wealth of dance backgrounds and cultures, the Company has been featured on TV Asia, CNN, the Fred Astaire Dance Awards, and beyond, and was the very first Bollywood fusion dance group in North America to be invited by MTV to audition for America's Best Dance Crew, twice. The Company was founded in 2008 by Artistic Director and Choreographer Ayesha, herself a life-long dancer and native of New Delhi, India. With over a decade of training in classical Indian Kathak dance, and modern styles such as jazz, hiphop and ballet, Ayesha has performed in over 100 professional productions across the globe, including Bollywood mega-hit songs such as "Dhoom Machale". Several of the Company dancers are also instructors at Bollywood Funk NYC Dance School, which offers beginner through professional-level classes at two locations in Manhattan. www.bollywoodfunknyc.com

Piel Canela Dancers
Piel Canela is a non profit organization that dedicates itself to the teaching, dancing, playing and appreciation of Latin Arts.

Established in 2000 Piel Canela is a non profit organization dedicated to sharing the world of Latin Dance, Music and Art. We offer affordable group and private classes structured within a friendly, fun and sympathetic atmosphere. Our instructors are devoted to teaching our dance. music and art and an appreciation of our Latin History and Culture.

DJ Ash
DJ Ash belongs to the new generation of most creative deejays globally, India, Malaysia, Dubhai, the US just to name a few. He is a constant professional and expert at all types of events. DJ Ash maintains an extensive collection, and dominates the latest in Bollywood and House music.

Some cool facts about DJ Ash:
Winner of WAR OF THE DJ'S 2006, all India;
Winner of JIVES WITH THE DJ'S, all India;
A Universal Music Contracted Artist;
"Pariyo Ka Mela" 1st song released on the Universal Music Label;
First Bollywood DJ to perfrom in the 17th year of the Taste of Times Square
Performed with: Australian Sensation Ayisha, VLE Lounge;
Indian Ocean for ZEE Business Bazigar and much more at WWW.DJASH.IN

The Rhythmic Arts Dance & Music Center
is a state of the art studio located in Somerset, NJ. They offer dance classes for all age groups and in all styles. They offer classes in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop but specialize in Bollywood, Indian Folk & Classical Dancing.
www.rhythmicartscenter.com

Miss Brooklyn
Miss Brooklyn 2010: Mallory Hagan is a 21 year old real estate agent for Nevo Holdings, LLC in Brooklyn, NY. She performed a percussive tap dance to the 80's hit, "Workin" by Michael Jackson. Miss Hagan will be competing for the title of Miss New York of the Miss America Organization at the end of June. Her personal platform for the Miss America Organization is the Dove: Campaign for Real Beauty.

Miss Brooklyn's Outstanding Teen 2010: Joelle Bracco is the 17 year old daughter or Lori Bracco of Brooklyn, NY. She currently resides in Staten Island and attends Laguardia High School in Manhattan. Joelle has extensive vocal training and performed the hit "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen and made popular by the Canadian Tenors. The platform that Miss Bracco has chosen to promote during her reign is "Date Abuse and Awareness."

Ancestral Horizons
Ancestral Horizons Society is a group of young performing artists who share the same passion in the arts. The company consist of 5 drummers and 5 dancers ranging from the ages of 15 to 24. Professionally trained in folkloric African dance from various countries these young performers were raised in the inner city streets of New York, and were introduced to the arts at an early age. Choosing to take back their culture and community they are uplifting young people through the art and culture of West African countries, these multi-talented artists will share their interpretations of music and dance from the African Diaspora

Seeta David & Group
For Seeta David, dance is a passion, which lead her to win the 2010 Indo Caribbean Federation 18th All Star Dance Competition. Joining her is her brother and friend at the Taste of Times Squares and they performed the very popular Caribbean Chutney song "Chttney Bacchanal" by singer Chris Garcia.

Recklez Riddimmz
Youth is the medium that has kept our culture alive in todays everchanging. RecklezRiddimz has come a far way in preserving the teachings and customs of the west indian culture. Randy Ramdin, Romesh Peter, Andrew Bhola, Vedanand Peter, and Jonathan Narain will now present one of the Caribbean's greatest treasures: drumming in the form of TASSA.

Heart Break Kids
The heart break foundation brings to you a roller coaster show so buckle up for the heart beat of hip-hop yogi figgs, reem dog,& j.Mcray the heart break kids.

Indra Seet
Founder of Stars International Band/Stars Youth Group. She is not only a singer but also a Community activist/ Music Teacher/Youth mentor. Also the first First Indo Caribbean woman to promote and manage an Orchestra /Band in New York City. Please welcome Indra Seet of the Stars International Band.

Daraja Hakizimana
Born and raised in Houston Texas, Daraja Hakizimana (a bridge to salvation) of the Shrine of the Black Madonna is bringing the new hip hop to Poetry, Jazz, and R&B. Coming from Sterling Highschool, then Graduating from Lamar High School, and later persuing music at San Jacinto and HCC Colledge gives Daraja the rich and profond sounds that we hear in his music today along with lifes experiences. At the A-Bar in 98 was Daraja’s first debut with his group Kamakazae, a soulful duo group involving sweet love longs reflecting pain, work life, and love. Read more at (can you please link the "read more at" with the following address www.studiojns.biz/MUSICIANS.html )

Dancing Shiva
The Rhythmic Arts Music and Dance Center was created to educate and spread awareness of various styles of dance. It is a place where dance is bliss. At this institute we teach various forms of dance where students can experiment with a number of styles and find their forte. There is a class for every age group so people young and old can come and feel comfortable in whatever class they choose to be in. Each class is led by trained teachers who have the knowledge of a variety of dance forms ranging from Hip-Hop to Classical Indian Dancing. Each student is given the utmost personal attention to enhance their learning in a group and solo environment. As they complete each level, they will find themselves improving in technique, style and grace. As students move up in level, they will be given the opportunity to compete in local and regional competitions through out the year. All students will have the chance to showcase what they have learned at the year end school recital.

Cristina Fontanelli - Guest appearance by Italian Opera Singer
Cristina Fontanelli has become a well-known personality through her recordings, her appearances on American and Italian radio, TV, concerts, nightclubs, pops and opera appearances, and through her recent acting debut on network television, where she is receiving rave reviews for her beautiful voice and versatile talent. On January 20, 2005 Cristina Fontanelli was invited to open the ceremonies at the Stars and Stripes Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C. where she sang for an audience of over 6,000 invited guests and dignitaries.

This following her “Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts” from the Order Sons of Italy in America (previous honoree Luciano Pavarotti). A listing of the popular “giants” she has appeared with include Tony Bennett, Joel Grey, Vic Damone and many others. Ms. Fontanelli is a favorite guest artist with many prestigious orchestras including the Boston Pops and the St. Louis Symphony performing in major concert halls throughout the U.S. and the world, including the Lincoln and Kennedy Centers, the Philadelphia Academy of Music, and major concert halls throughout the Far East and Canada. She has completed three world-tours with the Mantovani Orchestra. Her beautiful soprano voice has taken her to the White House as part of President Clinton’s holiday celebration, to Gracie Mansion at the invitation of Mayor Rudy Giuliani, to the Governor’s mansion in Princeton, N.J., to Washington, D.C. for the National Italian American Foundation, to Lincoln Center with stars from the Metropolitan Opera, to the Waldorf-Astoria for the Columbus Citizens Foundation gala honoring Franco Zeffirelli, to a special function honoring Maestro Riccardo Muti and to the prestigious National Arts Club in NYC. She has appeared annually at the world-famous, Feinstein’s at the Regency Hotel, in NYC, and has received rave reviews for her nightclub entertainment abilities, in addition to her classical concert and operatic appearances.

Hosts: Fashion Designer Asher Jay and Dancer Ryan M Holder