Performances
Asian art and culture comes to life through live performances at the Asian Art Museum. Performances throughout the year encompass dance, music, storytelling, theater and more. To see the schedule of upcoming performances please visit our calendar.
Upcoming Programs
North Indian Dance
Sunday, March 4, 12:00 noon & 2:00 pm
Part of the Target First Free Sunday Program
The Chitresh Das Dance Company performs Kathak dance, one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, which originated from Uttar Pradesh,India. Learn simple dance moves and participate in the 12:00 noon performance—great for families with children ages 3-10.
"Darbar" with Chitresh Das Dance Company
Thursday and Friday, March 15 and 16, 7:00 pm, and Sunday, March 18, 2:00 pm
Samsung Hall
$31.00, $41.00, $51.00 museum members; $35.00, $45.00 and $55.00 general public*
Purchase tickets from Brown Paper Tickets.
Our story takes place in the court (darbar) of the great patron king of Kathak, Wajid Ali Shah, who represents the decadence of courtly life. The king is so distracted by his indulgences that he does not notice that his general is being tempted by the British to betray him. Pandit Das' new work brings to life the rich artistic and cultural legacy of the courts of North India exploring themes of power and corruption.
Kathak is the only Indian classical dance style with both Muslim and Hindu influences, as it was adpoted by the Mughals. Das has a direct lineage to the North Indian courts of yesteryear; his Guru taught the last remaining courtesans of the modern era.
Performed by internationally renowned, all female Chitresh Das Dance Company. Created, choreographed and composed by kathak master Pandit Chitresh Das.
*Ticket price includes admission to the museum and entrance to the Maharaja exhibition for all performances. Please note, the museum’s collection galleries will not be open for the Friday evening performance. Tickets are only available online through Brown Paper Tickets and will not be sold on site. Museum members need a special discount promotion code to receive the member discount. If you are a museum member, email members@asianart.org or call 415.581.3740.
Tea Ceremony
Visitors can experience the changing seasons, tastes, smells, sounds, and aesthetics of chanoyu—the Japanese way of tea—in special programs held in our Japanese Tearoom. Learn more about our Tea Ceremony Presentations.
Lead funding for the Asian Art Museum’s Education and Public Programs is provided by the Bank of America Foundation. Major support provided by the Koret Foundation, the Freeman Foundation, the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, the Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation, PARSA Community Foundation, and Douglas Tilden. Additional support provided by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, United Airlines, the MetLife Foundation, the Mary M. Tanenbaum Fund, the San Francisco Foundation—Shenson Foundation, the Joseph R. McMicking Foundation, and Dodge & Cox. Support for AsiaAlive is provided by the Walter & Elise Haas Fund.
