Light up your weekend

Dance practice for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Photo / File

The public will again be treated to classical Indian dance and mouth-watering vegetarian food at Diwali Fest in Whangarei this weekend, all for just $5 per person.

The event, at Whangarei Intermediate School tomorrow evening, is being jointly organised by the Northland Indian Association and Hare Krishna and up to 300 people are expected. All proceeds will go to the Hare Krishna food for life kitchen.

The evening would start with a prayer by the Hare Krishna faith before chief guest, Whangarei MP Shane Reti, is invited to speak.

Association member Jas Singh said entertainment included South Indian and Bollywood dances and the garba, a popular form of song, dance and drama in the Indian state of Gujarat that depicts the liveliness, rich tradition and colour of the state.

Men and women dance at an energetic pace to the rhythmic song.

Hare Krishna will provide dinner which will be served at the break around 7.30pm or 8pm. Food will include rice, mixed vegetable, dhal or lentils, puri and a sweet dish.

"Diwali Fest hopes to bring all communities together, not only the Indians. Diwali is the festival of lights and we hope it brings light into everyone's lives," Mr Singh said.

He said a good cross-section of people had attended Diwali celebrations in past five years.

The Diwali Fest will run from 6.30pm to 10pm.

Tickets will be available for purchase at the door as there won't be any presale this year. Children under 5 are free.