By The San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) will, once again, celebrate the cultural diversity of the Bay Area on Saturday, March 11 when the organization hosts its annual Celebration of South Asian Culture at SAP Center at San Jose (@SAPCenter). The Sharks will host the Minnesota Wild at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets to the Sharks Celebration of South Asian Culture can be purchased HERE.
Festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with the FREE UPMA Holi Celebration that will take place outside of SAP Center on Barack Obama Blvd. Activities will include celebratory color throwing*, music, guided dancing, food (for purchase), and much more. *Participants in coloring throwing must change clothes before entering SAP Center for the Sharks game.
Indian actress, model, and producer Huma Qureshi (@iamhumag) will be on hand to drop the ceremonial first puck before the game begins. Fans can purchase a special VIP package ticket that includes a pre-game meet-and-greet with Ms. Qureshi from 6-7 p.m. as well as light food and beverage and a group photo with her on the ice after the game. For more details, visit www.sjsharks.com/indian.
Additional pregame activities will include dance and singing performances by local South Asian groups in the Hop Valley Bar located on the concourse level above the South Entrance at SAP Center. The national anthem will be performed by a local Indian singer and dance performances pregame on the concourse and during both intermissions on the ice will be performed by Gurus of Dance, a Bollywood dance, drama, and entertainment company based in Milpitas. Free henna tattoo art will also be available to all fans on the concourse throughout the game.
Sharks-themed merchandise specifically created for this night and featuring south Asian-inspired artwork from local artist Chetna Mehta (@mosaiceye) will be available for purchase in the Sharks Pro Shop located near the South Entrance at SAP Center.
INDTVUSA, a media partner of the Sharks that was instrumental in organizing the celebration and bringing the Indian and hockey communities together, will be on-site to provide coverage of all activities.
In addition to the activities on Saturday, March 11, as part of the Sharks celebration of South Asian Culture, the Sharks Foundation (@sjscommunity) will partner with the Art of Living Foundation and SKY Schools to bring yoga to under-represented youth in our community. On Friday, March 3, Sharks VIP’s, including Sharks mascot S.J. Sharkie, will bring yoga to students at Lyndale Elementary School from 2 – 2:30 p.m. In line with the yoga experience, the Sharks Foundation has named Art of Living the beneficiary of the Sharks Foundation auction that will run from March 10 – 12.
