As the leaders of Ashoka and Dance Marathon, we wanted to let you know that this fall, Diwali and Dance Marathon will be taking place on the same weekend (Nov. 6-8). Student Life covered this situation when it occurred in 2004, and we wanted to be the first to tell you how each student group is addressing the potential concerns that could stem from this overlap.

Members of the Ashoka and Dance Marathon executive boards have met multiple times and are making the best of this opportunity to work together. By combining the strengths of these two campus traditions, we will ensure that each event is more successful than ever due to this collaboration.

Both student groups are excited about this chance to help each other out. Some actions under consideration right now are to:

• Encourage Dance Marathon participants to attend the Friday night Diwali performance, so they are energized and ready to go for Dance Marathon the next day.
• Have Diwali dance groups perform at Dance Marathon’s annual Dance-In, which will be held Thursday 10/22 and Friday 10/23.
• Have a Dance Marathon check-in station at Edison Theater before the Saturday morning Diwali performance so that Dance Marathon participants can easily go straight from the Edison Theater to the Athletic Complex in time for Dance Marathon Opening Ceremonies.
• Distribute PR materials promoting both Dance Marathon and Diwali.

We would like to encourage the Washington University community to participate in and/or attend both events. With the exception of those who are participating in the skit or one of the major dances in Diwali and the Dance Marathon Executive Board, anyone who wants to experience both events can do so without any hesitation; both groups will continue to work together to ensure that the weekend of November 6,7, and 8 will be one of the best weekends of the fall semester!

Please feel free to contact us for any information regarding this overlap. We would all be happy to answer any questions you might have. Thanks so much!

Neha Agarwal and Minti Shah
Co-Cultural Chairs, 2009 Ashoka Executive Board

Andrew Seidl
Executive Director, Dance Marathon 2009