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Walt Disney World Resort hosts Diwali Dance Fest for second year
The three-day celebration, directed by Jeanie Beri of Jashn Productions, honored Diwali with dance, parades, and cultural experiences
Diwali Dance Fest performances / Geo Media Co
The Diwali Dance Fest was hosted from Nov. 7 to 10 at the Walt Disney World Resort, Florida for the second year, uniting over 300 dancers across North America.
The three-day celebration, directed and produced by Jeanie Beri, founder of Jashn Productions, honored the festival of lights through dance performances, parades, and cultural experiences. Jashn Productions is created for dancers and to offer mainstream exposure and opportunities for South Asian artists.
"After the success of the first Diwali Dance Fest, we knew we had to make Year 2 even bigger & better," said Beri.
Diwali Dance Fest parade / Geo Media CoThe festivities started at EET, a Disney Springs restaurant featuring Indian cuisine by celebrity Chef Maneet Chauhan. It was followed by a vibrant 20-minute dance parade at Disney Springs.
The event concluded with a three-hour Dance Fest Showcase at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. It featured 17 dance schools. The performances celebrated India’s rich cultural heritage with a mix of pop, hip-hop, and classical dance styles from regions like Gujarat, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh.
There were special performances led by LA-based Bhangra & Bollywood dance company B Funk and the SA Dance Company, led by artistic director Payal Kadakia Pujji.
Diwali Dance Fest celebrations / Geo Media Co
The evening was hosted by former Broadway star Shoba Narayan, known for her role as Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin. “Diwali Dance Fest was an unforgettable celebration,” Narayan shared.
The festival celebrated South Asian culture and supported important causes, donating proceeds to the Make Me Stronger Foundation, which partners with NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program) to help blood cancer patients.
It also featured a special opening ceremony with Disney characters and children with special needs, sponsored by the SKN Foundation.
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