November 22, 2005 > ICC banquet a resounding success

by Sunita Sohrabji

The India Community Center banquet and auction - held at the Santa Clara Marriott Nov. 11 - was an overwhelming success, raising approximately $300,000 for children and senior programs at its two facilities in Milpitas and Sunnyvale.

More than 680 people attended this year's banquet, emceed by NBC11 Sportscaster Raj Mathai. The evening featured folk dances by two talented troupes of children, and a Bollywood number performed by the ICC seniors' dance troupe known as the "Jollywood Dancers," who received a standing ovation from the audience. Las Vegas magician Simon Winthrop dazzled audiences onstage with a display of magical illusions and pyrotechnics and then went offstage to display his psychic abilities individually to members of the audience.

The evening concluded with the seven-member qawwali group, the Nizami Brothers of Delhi. The Nizami Brothers brought to the stage a style of qawwali associated with their family for more than 700 years. They also brought some experimental additions to their performance, such as clapping with glass pieces in hand, which produced a novel sound.

The Live Auction - commandeered by veteran volunteer auctioneer Bill Friedman - raised more than $79,000, with a very enthusiastic audience bidding against each other for a European river cruise, an Indian palace retreat, vacation and spa packages, bespoke saris and jewelry. One of the most popular items, dinner for 12 cooked by ICC's Board of Directors and Board of Trustees, sold twice, each time for $3200.

For more information on the ICC and its programs, call (408) 934 1130 or visit www.indiacc.org.