2020
In May, Aavegh Founder/Artistic Director Supna Jain, taught Bollywood dance as part of Virtual Dance Exchange hosted by Movement Exchange. The virtual dance exchange brought together dancers from multiple countries to learn various dance styles through online workshops on ballet, contemporary, salsa, bollywood, and Panamanian dance hall.
In July, Aavegh hosted a series of virtual Indian dance workshops in partnership with Movement Exchange. Artistic Director/Founder Supna Jain led a session on Bollywood dance, Executive Director Manjima Bose taught Bharatanatyam Basics, member Mansi Patel led a second Bollywood dance class, and member Taposhi Jarvis took dances through Bengali Folk Dance. The series was attended by young and adult dancers representing multiple countries and throughout the U.S.
2019
In July, Aavegh Founder/Artistic Director Supna Jain, Executive Director Manjima Bose, and member Taposhi Jarvis went on a dance exchange to Panama through Movement Exchange. Movement Exchange's mission is to unite dance and service through its network of university chapters, international dance exchanges, and year-round programs in underserved communities. It holds year-round dance programming in orphanages in Panama and Brazil, taught by local dance instructors. This programming is supplemented by international dance exchanges where dance diplomats discover a new country’s culture by taking dance classes from local professionals, exploring historical sites, and teaching movement to youth in orphanages and at-risk youth foundations. Aavegh members learned contemporary and Panamanian dance styles from local dancers and were able to share their love for all styles of dance with each member of our group and all the children we were lucky enough to teach dance to and have fun with. The trip culminated with Movement Exchange's 10th Annual Dance show where all the kids performed the pieces they've been working on all year and the piece our group taught them throughout the week. Aavegh was also honored to share our shared mission and passion with everyone there with a short performance.
In August, Aavegh was honored to be invited again to participate in Chicago Desi Youth Rising's Summer Leadership Retreat. CDYR seeks to empower Chicago youth to combat racial, economic, and social inequity - and their unique retreat is designed for 15 – 21 year olds who want to grow as changemakers. Aavegh had the pleasure of taking participants through another session of Aavegh 101: A Workshop on Storytelling and Activism, exploring movement and expression, and how storytelling through both can be used to further conversations as changemakers.
In October, Aavegh Founder and Executive Director Supna Jain had the pleasure of presented on the power of movement and the messages dancers can convey through movement to the Rotary Club of Bloomington this summer. As part of the presentation, Supna spoke of Aavegh's various productions and the messages behind each. She also shared with the group our experience in Panama with Movement Exchange. The session ended with taking the 20 seniors and 15 youth who attended through some movement and discussion of how movement makes us feel.
2018
In January, North Central College invites Aavegh to perform and encore production of The Making of a Bahu for students, faculty, and staff. As described in a review on the college's news site, "When every ligament of one’s body, from facials to finger movements, from foot placement to hand gestures is an effort to communicate a thought, a feeling, a presence and an identity, the choice to discuss the systematic marginalization of women in Indian culture through dance is obvious."
In June, Aavegh conducts Aavegh 101: A Workshop on Storytelling and Activism open to those ages 10 and up. The two part workshop focused on using dance and movement to tell stories. The first part explored using the same choreography to convey different emotions. The second part consisted of participants breaking up into groups to choreograph their own pieces around the theme of Celebrating Differences. Aavegh was proud to see participants depict stories addressing bullying, cultural differences, religious differences, and emancipation from slavery.
In August, Aavegh participated in Chicago Desi Youth Rising's Summer Leadership Retreat. The retreat is designed to examine and challenge the underlying causes of their communities’ problems and conditions to become agents for social change, working to combat racial, economic, and social injustice. After a day of exploring current issues including anti-blackness, anti-immigration, and the model minority concept, Aavegh team members lead participants through Aavegh 101: A Workshop on Storytelling and Activism to explore and share the emotional response to the day's topics through movement and dance. We really enjoyed working with such an enthusiastic, articulate, and socially conscious group of young adults.
With proceeds from its Aavegh 101 workshops, Aavegh purchased and donated 48 duffle bags for refugee children residing at Maryville Academy. Among their many services, the academy provides housing, therapy, legal help, bilingual education, and socialization to children who have arrived in the U.S. from other countries without an adult.
2017
Aavegh premiers The Making of a Bahu: from daughter to daughter-in-law, a journey of loss and recovery of identity on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10. The production, described as “powerful,” “moving,” and “thought provoking," explored the marginalization of Indian women, specifically in the role of daughter-in-law through a series of dances, supplemented with artwork, poetry, and quotes from research conducted on Indian women.
For the first time ever, the production was followed by a discussion with Aavegh and audience members described as invigorating and passionate.
$5,000 from show proceeds are donated to Bridge Communities in support of their efforts to help homeless mothers and children find housing.
2016
In March, Aavegh performs Laal Ishq from its production Tyaag at a fundraiser for the Chicago Veterinary Medical Foundation.
In April, Aavegh members attend a fundraiser for the America Nepal Medical Association where Artistic Director Supna Jain is invited to speak about Aavegh’s decision to support the organization
In May, Aavegh undergoes Strategic Planning to identify its direction and goals for the next three years. As a result, Aavegh updates its mission and vision:
VISION: To create a meaningful impact across communities by functioning as a respected artistic and humanitarian organization
MISSION: To create dialogue on important societal issues through artistic expression while giving back to our community
2015
In June, Aavegh celebrates its 10th anniversary with an encore performance of its production Tyaag in Glen Elly, IL, to an audience of 400. The production was attended by the Consul Generals of India and Pakistan.
In July, News India Times and abc7 reviews Aavegh's production of Tyaag. Additionally, the production is featured on TV ASIA's Community Round UP.
In October, Aavegh partners with EKJUT Theater on its performance of Yoni Ki Baat in Naperville, IL. Proceeds from the production supported Apna Ghar, a domestic violence shelter for South Asian women.
In November, Aavegh donates $3,500 to the America Nepal Medical Foundation in support of their efforts to help Nepal rebuild after the earthquake.
In November, Aavegh also partners with EKJUT Theater on its performance of Yoni Ki Baat in Bloomington-Normal, IL. Proceeds from the production supported local nonprofit, Roshini, and its efforts to empower women.
2014
Aavegh performs Tyaag in Chicago, IL, to an audience of 400. Tyaag, meaning “release, relinquish, sacrifice,” is a collection of dance pieces which display the feelings of loss and gain during the process of letting go.
Aavegh donates $3,500 in show proceeds to Rainbows for All Children in support of their efforts to help youth navigate grief and heal from loss, whether from death, divorce, deployment, or other trauma
2011
Aavegh donates $2,000 to Women’s Heart Association, from proceeds from its 2010 productions of Anuraag, in support of their efforts to raise awareness of heart disease among women.
2010
Aavegh donates $500 to the American Red Cross's Haiti Relief Fund in support of their efforts in Haiti after Hurricane Matthew
Aavegh performs Anuraag in Chicago to an audience of 400. Anuraag, meaning “love and affection,” provides a unique rhythmic and artistic interpretation of the many expected and unexpected feelings associated with love. The production is featured on TV ASIA's Community Round UP.
2006
Aavegh performs pieces from Astha at an Apna Ghar fundraiser where then Senator Barack Obama was the key note speaker. Aavegh also performs pieces from Astha at Loyola University, Midwestern University, and Manav Seva Mandir in Bensenville, IL.
Aavegh donates $1,750 to CARE in support of their efforts in Darfur
2005
Aavegh is incorporated in February and produces its first show Astha in Chicago and Bloomington, IL, to an audience of 300. Astha, meaning “deep faith,” is a distinctive dance program that emphasizes the strength of a woman and the universal concept of deep faith needed to pull through the struggles and challenges throughout life.
Aavegh donates $4,500 in show proceeds to domestic violence shelters Apna Ghar (in Chicago) and Neville House (in Bloomington).