Ishti Collective

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Ishti Collective Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Ishti Collective, Nonprofit Organization, Chicago, IL.

With collaboration at the center, Ishti Collective’s purpose is to create a synergistic environment through dance, music, and storytelling where artists engage with the community to generate meaningful dialogue and push the boundaries of their art. The specific objectives and purpose of this organization are to: promote understanding between cultures and serve as a catalyst for positive social change; create accessible, timely work and explore connections across borders through art; create a safe and nurturing community space to learn, expand and grow, encompass different art forms and mediums in the spirit of collaboration; and become a financially sustainable collective model that can support artistic risk taking.

We have a $500 matching commitment for Ishti’s 10-year fundraising campaign! ❤️Help us raise $500 by September 5! Every ...
08/29/2026

We have a $500 matching commitment for Ishti’s 10-year fundraising campaign! ❤️
Help us raise $500 by September 5! Every dollar you give, up to $500, will be matched.

Your donation helps us pay artists, purchase costumes and props, and keep our programming going. No amount is too small—every dollar makes a difference.

Donation Link in bio or use QR code.

07/11/2026

💛 Thank You, Independence Park! 💛

Our hearts are so full after tonight’s Movements of Many: 10 Years of Ishti celebration.

This video is just the pre performance!! To everyone who joined us—thank you for making rangoli, cheering on the artists, supporting local makers, dancing with us, sharing conversations, and filling the park with so much warmth and joy. We truly felt supported, celebrated, and empowered by this community.

A huge thank you to our incredible artists:
✨ Sarmishtha Sarkar
✨ Chitra Nair / Nyssa Movement
✨ Bob Garrett
✨ Ofcourse Ishti team .a.reed

Thank you to our wonderful vendors and community partners:
💎
🧶
🔮
🤝
🌟
🌮 Snix Snacks Food Truck

And to every volunteer, family member, friend, donor, and audience member—you are what makes Ishti possible.

One more celebration to go!

📍 Nichols Park
🗓️ Saturday, July 11
🕐 1:00–3:00 PM

Come celebrate 10 years of Ishti with us one last time! 💛
Thank you NOITP series
ChicagoDance CommunityThroughArt SupportLocalArtists Chicago

✨ BOB GARRETT ✨ Bob Garrett is a Chicago-based musician, composer, and longtime collaborator with Ishti Collective. He h...
07/09/2026

✨ BOB GARRETT ✨

Bob Garrett is a Chicago-based musician, composer, and longtime collaborator with Ishti Collective. He has been composing for and creating with Ishti since its inception in 2016’ #
Bob’s extensive career spans theater, dance, and live performance, with credits including Hamilton (Chicago), The Lion King, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and collaborations with artists and companies including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Urban Bush Women, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Surabhi Ensemble, and many more.

For Movements of Many, Bob will perform an original live sound score throughout the evening and serve as the event’s sound engineer, helping create the sonic landscape that brings the celebration to life.

“I’m excited that Ishti’s still going strong. It’s such a gift to be a part of and compose for this group. I can’t wait for the next big show and to witness its continuing growth.”- BG


Celebrate 10 years of Ishti Collective with us July 9–11!
LiveMusic OriginalComposition ChicagoMusic ChicagoArtists NightOutInTheParks CommunityThroughArt SupportLocalArtists ChicagoEvents
📍 Green Briar Park • July 9 • 6 PM
📍 Independence Park • July 10 • 6 PM
📍 Nichols Park • July 11 • 1 PM
Presented in partnership with as part of NightOutInTheParks.

Photo by Flynnworks
Image description: Promotional poster featuring musician Bob Garrett performing with a guitar. The poster reads “Movements of Many: 10 Years of Ishti – Collaborator Spotlight: Bob Garrett.” It includes the event dates and locations: Green Briar Park (July 9, 6 PM), Independence Park (July 10, 6 PM), and Nichols Park (July 11, 1 PM). The poster uses Ishti Collective branding and promotes the free, family-friendly outdoor performances.

✨ GUEST ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Sarmishtha Sarkar began her Bharatanatyam training at a young age under the guidance of Padmas...
07/08/2026

✨ GUEST ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Sarmishtha Sarkar began her Bharatanatyam training at a young age under the guidance of Padmashri Guru Chathunni Paniker and Guru Pathagudy Ramaswamy. In 1996, she founded Aavirbhaav School of Creative Arts in Ahmedabad, where she has trained more than 300 students over nearly three decades. An acclaimed performer, choreographer, and educator, she has performed and taught in over 30 countries and currently serves as Visiting Faculty at the Department of Performing Arts, Gujarat University.

Sarmishtha has been an important mentor to Ishti Collective over the years, generously guiding our artistic process through workshops, mentorship, and choreographic exploration. During her July residency, she’ll teach workshops, perform Bharatanatyam, and collaborate with Ishti artists to create a new work premiering at Movements of Many.

“Ishti’s Movements of Many promises to be an evening of exciting elements coming together. It beautifully reflects Ishti’s journey through glimpses of their work and their deep connection with the community.”- Sarmishtha Sarkar

Join us July 9–11 as we celebrate 10 years of Ishti Collective through dance, creativity, and community.
#
Bharatanatyam IndianClassicalDance ChicagoDance NightOutInTheParks CommunityThroughArt DanceEducation ChicagoEvents FamilyFriendly

📍 Green Briar Park • July 9 • 6 PM
📍 Independence Park • July 10 • 6 PM
📍 Nichols Park • July 11 • 1 PM

Presented in partnership with as part of NightOutInTheParks.

Image description: Promotional poster featuring Guru Smt.Sarmishtha Sarkar in Bharatanatyam costume and jewelry in a classical dance pose. The poster reads “Movements of Many: 10 Years of Ishti – Collaborator Spotlight: Sarmishtha Sarkar” and includes the event dates and locations: Green Briar Park (July 9, 6 PM), Independence Park (July 10, 6 PM), and Nichols Park (July 11, 1 PM). The design features Ishti Collective branding and celebrates the free, family-friendly outdoor performance

✨ COLLABORATOR SPOTLIGHT ✨ Preeti Veerlapati 💛 Preeti Veerlapati (she/her) is a facilitator, creative, producer, mother...
07/08/2026

✨ COLLABORATOR SPOTLIGHT ✨ Preeti Veerlapati 💛

Preeti Veerlapati (she/her) is a facilitator, creative, producer, mother, and mover. She is the Co-Founder of Ishti Collective and Founder & CEO of Rishi Strategy Consultants LLC. Whether in a dance studio or a boardroom, Preeti is passionate about bringing people together, centering lived experience, and creating spaces where collaboration can thrive.

At Movements of Many, you’ll find Preeti all over the celebration—rangoli table, performing in Seen/Unseen and a new work created during the Summer workshops, and serving as one of the evening’s emcees.

“I’m most looking forward to simply coming together as a community, celebrating everything we’ve built over the last 10 years, seeing familiar faces, meeting new ones, and sharing this milestone with my family.”

Fun fact: Preeti recently completed her Illinois Extension Master Gardener final exam! 🌿 If you see her at the event, ask her about native plants and gardening.

Join us July 9–11 as we celebrate 10 years of Ishti Collective through dance, creativity, and community.

CommunityThroughArt CollaborativeLeadership ChicagoArtists FamilyFriendly Rangoli BollyX SupportLocalArtists ChicagoEvents

📍 Green Briar Park • July 9 • 6 PM
📍 Independence Park • July 10 • 6 PM
📍 Nichols Park • July 11 • 1 PM

Presented in partnership with as part of NightOutInTheParks.

Collab spotlight- Lauren Reed ✨Lauren Reed is a Chicago-based dance artist, choreographer, and longtime movement lover w...
07/06/2026

Collab spotlight- Lauren Reed ✨

Lauren Reed is a Chicago-based dance artist, choreographer, and longtime movement lover whose work spans contemporary dance, aerial dance, and social dance communities. A collaborator with Ishti Collective since 2021, Lauren brings deep curiosity, generosity, and versatility into every creative process.

At Movements of Many, .a.reed Lauren will perform in Ishti repertoire work Seen/Unseen as well as a new collaborative work created during the Sarmishtha Sarkar intensive.

“I’m so excited to celebrate 10 years of Ishti! This performance will be a party, a show, a skill-share, an exchange, and more. I’m always honored to collaborate with this wonderful group of compassionate givers.” - Lauren Reed .a.reed

Celebrate with us July 9–11 💛

Movements of Many is a part of Night Out in the Parks!
Photo by from 3320 Series

Meet Chitra Nair / Nyssa Movement 💃🏽Chitra is a founding board member of Ishti Collective, a trained Bharatanatyam dance...
07/06/2026

Meet Chitra Nair / Nyssa Movement 💃🏽
Chitra is a founding board member of Ishti Collective, a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, and a certified BollyX instructor who found her happy place at the intersection of Bollywood, fitness, and community. Through BollyX, she creates joyful, welcoming spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can move, connect, and celebrate together.
For Movements of Many, Chitra will lead our interactive BollyX dance fitness finale — an energetic Bollywood dance party inviting the entire audience onto their feet. No dance experience needed!
“Movement is for everybody. My hope is that people leave smiling, energized, and reminded that sometimes the best way to connect is simply to dance.” - Chitra Nair
Join us July 9–11 as we celebrate 10 years of Ishti Collective through movement, community, and shared joy. Details in bio ✨
.nair75

Thank you Sandra Treviño and Hector for having us! Conversing about our journey, current Chicago dance landscape and O...
06/26/2026

Thank you Sandra Treviño and Hector for having us! Conversing about our journey, current Chicago dance landscape and Ofcourse 10 years of making, sharing and sustaining! Join us at Movements of Many: 10 Years of Ishti at Chicago Parks July 9-11 at various Chicago Parks! FREE!! a.reed .nair75

To celebrate our 10th year anniversary, we're raising $10k for 10 years! We're 20% of the way there. Donations at all le...
06/25/2026

To celebrate our 10th year anniversary, we're raising $10k for 10 years! We're 20% of the way there. Donations at all levels are incredibly meaningful and impactful. Link in bio and in the comments below.

Image description: Blur of several images of dancers and scenes from Ishti's past 10 years of performances. Text reads: Donate now, $10k for 10 Years!

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Chicago, IL
60608

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