Rupa & April Fishes kindle magic in the South Bay on May 9

Bring out your flip flops, dab on some sunscreen, and get ready to welcome summertime with groovy gypsy folk music. San Francisco-based band Rupa and the April Fishes will present an unforgettable evening that transcends geographical boundaries and aims to unite through the common language of music. The concert is a benefit to support Maitri, a non-profit organization providing for South Asian families experiencing domestic violence.

- Proceeds from the concert will aid operations of Maitri's toll-free helpline and transitional home.
- Maitri has been in operation for 19 years and functions as a bridge connecting needy families to mainstream resources and provides them counsel to make informed decisions
- Maitri’s empowerment based services help South Asian women experiencing domestic abuse charter themselves towards self reliance and self confidence

Today, the Bay Area is home to first, second and even third generation South Asian families. Bestowing honor to this multi-generation community, Maitri is inviting families to attend this evening of delightful music to support peace, safety and a vibrant family life.

Rupa Marya, the lead singer, is of Indian origin, but her music transcends all linguistic barriers. Her multicultural music is a medley of French, Hindi, English and Spanish.

- Her magnetic vocals draw the listener in with its soulful and moving quality.
- A doctor of internal medicine by day, Rupa's musical compositions express the transient, yet precious value of life.
- Her songs reflect the eternal immigrant dilemmas of - home seeking and homecoming - and the universal quest to understand pain, sorrow, love, and loss.

Without exception, Maitri's events have been a distinctive combination of glamour and character, attracting reputed artistes such as Ustad Zakir Hussain and the Rhythm Experience, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Padmabhushan Alarmel Valli, Pria Kataria Puri’s Fashion Show, and Lillete Dubey’s Primetime Theater.

The contemporary melody of desi girl Rupa with the April Fishes will resonate at the Santa Clara Convention Centre on Saturday, May 9, 6 pm onwards. Tickets: $100, $50, $25. For more information, visit http://maitri.org or call 1.888.8MAITRI.

As published on New York Times - www.tinyurl.com/lufthansanytimes

Lufthansa Launches Indian Wedding Celebration Campaign With Designer Manish Malhotra
Published: April 13, 2009

NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/13/09 -- Wedding bells ring louder each day as the season for wedlock begins. This union will exude class as two style icons, Manish Malhotra and Lufthansa Airlines, ally for a wedding couture with ethnic blends. Designed by the style icon, the ensembles are a celebration of the myriad emotions experienced by the bride and groom tying the knot. The fairytale Indian Bridal collection unveils three wedding ensembles for the to-be brides and grooms in the United States.

-- It interweaves style and extravagance with ethnicity, tallying a perfect score of glamour and tradition.

-- Asserting Manish's signature style, they accentuate glamour and modernity in the traditional Indian wardrobe.

-- The bridal lehengas and complementing sherwani outfits are fashioned with plush fabrics in classy silhouettes.

-- This dream wedding line uses sensual and romantic hues like maroon, burgundy, red, pink and wine shades.

-- The apparels are bedecked with encrusted Swarovski crystals with detailed embroidery of brocade and antique work.

To craft this unforgettable wedding season, Manish is in collaboration the world-class airline, Lufthansa. "I wanted to introduce contemporary Indian fashion in America and Lufthansa was an ideal partner, since they regularly do Bollywood-themed promotions," says Manish. This association with Lufthansa is an opportunity for Indians in America to win outfits from Manish Malhotra's collection.

For the man who personifies style, teaming up with a luxurious airline to unravel his couture wedding range is a venture which has never been done before. Mediasphere, a leading marketing and event management firm, juxtaposed fashion with air-travel in association with Global Advertising Strategies for South Asians planning their Indian Wedding in America.

-- This promotion initiates exploring new markets for Indian fashion brands to reach a global audience.

-- Mediasphere identified areas for the two brands to serve the Indian-Asian community.

-- Mediasphere teamed the brands together to bridge the continental gulf, and give them an edge in the current competitive market place.

The prestigious designer observes, "Working with Mediasphere has been a pleasure since they deliver high quality work. They are a young, hardworking and highly professional media company, which has efficiently added boost to my brand."

Manish's wedding range is enthralling all the future brides and grooms envisaging the most precious event of their life. The design sketches are open for voting now www.Lufthansawedding.com. Vote for your favorite design and post your romantic story to win the most popular wardrobe. Other prizes include tickets to India on Lufthansa Airlines.

Manish Malhotra special part 1 & 2
Vote for your favorite Manish creation