Also this issue:

Fit To Print
The self-publishers converging on Zine Fest resist the rise of the machines.
-Patrick Rapa

Chinese Ceramics Today Hide Sadohara: New Work
Chinese ceramicists reflect the country’s changing cultural climate. A local artist complements their vision.
-Susan Hagen

Swoosh
-Lori Hill

E. Lynn Harris
-A.D. Amorosi

Bridging the Gap
-Dana Procaccino

Puppetry of the Penis
-Deni Kasrel

1776
-Steve Cohen

Mao in the Boardroom: Marketing Genius From The Mind Of The Master Guerrilla
-Andrew Parks

July 10-16, 2003

artpicks

Nrityagram Dance Ensemble

Members of the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble live for their art. For real. They all reside together, like a family, in a remote village, for the sole purpose of perfecting their acumen at classical Indian dance. Their days are devoted to dance and related subjects such as yoga, martial arts, mythology, Sanskrit and meditation. Otherwise, they're off touring, showing the world the wonders of their art form.

The company is all about female empowerment and you'll see quite a bit of that in Nrityagram's show, SRI -- In Search of The Goddess, coming to the Annenberg Center this weekend. The storyline is based on a poem titled "Savitri" that tells the tale of a brave gal by that name who challenges the god of death to win back her husband. Don't look for Charlie's Angels-type hyperaction antics -- Savitri operates in a heightened state of consciousness. She gets her beau back through superior intellect (How cool is that?). Nrityagram's contemporary interpretation of this epic ode is represented through movement, which, while lovely and lyrical, is also physically challenging. The manner is which these ladies bend their bodies is truly amazing. Go and be mesmerized.

Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, Sat., July 12, $15-$50, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900.

—Deni Kasrel