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 cha

nge; 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.

05/29/2026

When we say Didi has been our mentor since the beginning, we mean it.

In 2016, we were trying to name our very first production "ishti: seeking to be"; we wanted a word/phrase that encompassed: a pursuit of progress, not perfection. We couldn’t find an English word that fully captured that feeling.

Didi suggested “Ishti.”

What began as the title of a production became the name of the organization we were building together. To us, Ishti means learning, growing, and the ongoing work of becoming. We will make mistakes. We will evolve. We will keep moving forward with care, curiosity, and community. That is Ishti. We are Ishti Collective.

Join us and share space with Didi July 5-7. Come to 1 or all of her workshops. If you're interested, dance with us as well July 9-11! More details on our website. www.ishticollective.org

05/26/2026

In 2015, three friends — Anu (), Preeti (), and Kinnari () — started with a 15-minute piece and a question: how do we move through failure? What began as conversations about uncertainty, resilience, community, and perseverance became "seeking to be" — Ishti Collective’s first full-length production.

As we celebrate Movements of Many and 10 years of Ishti, we’re reflecting on the communities and support systems that helped us grow from one small idea into a decade of collaborative artistic work. Shout out to Anu for your encouragement to build a piece together. To for the platform in 2015 to present new, original work which seeded our co-choreographic methodology and gave us the impetus to create something bigger. To for the Individual Artist Program grant in 2016 which led to a full length production.

You were our beginning and made the last 10 years possible.

Help us carry this work into the next decade. Every contribution sustains future performances, collaborations, and community-centered artistic work. Link in comments.

05/21/2026

We’re excited to welcome our guru and mentor Sarmishtha Sarkar back to Chicago for a special 3-day intensive, July 5–7.

These workshops explore expression, rhythm, storytelling, choreography, and creative process. Didi has profoundly shaped Ishti’s artistic practice, and we’re excited to share this rare opportunity to learn closely with a master teacher and performer.

Join for one workshop or the full series, with an optional opportunity to perform in Movements of Many: 10 Years of Ishti July 9–11. Open to movers with prior dance experience in any genre. More details on our website.

05/18/2026

Free performances. Outdoor celebration. All ages welcome.

Join Ishti Collective for Movements of Many: 10 Years of Ishti — a weekend of dance, music, rangoli crafts, vendors, and community celebration. Big thanks to Chicago Park District for helping us bring these events to you for FREE.

Bring a friend, bring your family, bring your curiosity.

July 9 | 6-9 pm | Green Briar Park
July 10 | 6-8 pm | Independence Park
July 11 | 1-3 pm | Nichols Park

05/15/2026

10 years of movement. 10 years of collaboration. 10 years of asking what dance can make possible. Ishti Collective celebrates a decade of creating performance experiences that invite reflection, connection, and conversation.

To honor this moment and invest in what comes next, we’re launching our $10k for 10 Years campaign! Join us in supporting new artistic work, artist mentorship, and community-centered performances for years to come.
Donate at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/movements-of-many-celebrating-10-years-of-ishti-collective

05/01/2026

Performing excerpts of Seen/Unseen at Glow Wild -A Lantern Festival of Hope at Brookfield Zoo this coming Sunday May 3. Come witness this version and check out the beautiful lantern puppet installations.
Performers Ashwaty Chennat, Dani Oblitas, Kinnari Vora, Lauren Reed
.a.reed

Thank you CHRP and Lane for the connect.

04/27/2026

Seen/Unseen as captured by Vina Reed from 3320 festival series this past November.
Collaborators Ashwaty Chennat, Dani Oblitas, Kinnari Vora, Lauren Reed and Preeti Veerlapati. .a.reed
Sound by Bob Garrett
Costumes by Nathaniel Rohrer
Set Design by Karl Ochmanek
Lights by Richard Norwood
Venue:
3320 festival series- by zephyrdance and

04/22/2026

Check out our April newsletter. Tuli Bera asked co-founder, Kinnari Vora, about Ishti's choreographic beginnings. So much has changed since Ishti's inception in 2016!

Coming up on Ishti Collective's calendar is Seen/Unseen at Brookfield Zoo. Will we see you there on May 3rd?

And finally, a friendly reminder to support Unfinished Ishland Songs -- did you know that we are the fiscal sponsor?

03/03/2026

We’re excited to premiere Eat Sleep Play! as a part of Choreographic Place at the Evanston Art Center

Invited by Zephyr Dance , Ishti activates the architectural installation of David Sundry — engaging sculpture as an active partner rather than a backdrop.

Eat Sleep Play! considers how built environments shape our everyday rituals. Through everyday gestures and rhythmic interaction with the structure, we explore how space influences how we gather, rest, move, and relate.
Direction and performance by Kinnari Vora and Preeti Veerlapati

Join us for this premiere and experience the exhibit!

March 6, 2026 at 1:30 pm
FREE

Cover image by A.Deran Photography

02/28/2026

Ishti at Navy Pier – Holi Celebration
Saturday March 7, 3:20 PM Free and open to the public.
Come celebrate with us!! We perform at 3:20 PM — honoring spring, renewal, and collective joy.
And the full festival runs 12–5 PM. Expect super fun groups (including some festival favorites!), a live DJ, vibrant colors, dancing, and delicious food. It’s going to be joyful, loud, and full of spring energy.
Bring your friends. Let’s celebrate together

Address

Chicago, IL
60608

Website

http://ishticollective.org/

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