Lotus Music & Dance, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1989 by master Bharata Natyam dancer Kamala Cesar. It is a performance space, sanctuary, and center of education for traditional and indigenous performing arts forms. The mission is to protect, promote, and celebrate the music and dance traditions of all world cultures. Lotus Music & Dance remains the only institution of its kind in New York City where master artists from India, Korea, Burma, the South Pacific, Middle East, the Mohawk Nation, West Africa, and Spain collectively call home.

Aside from our varied schedule of unique, multi cultural performances, we offer instruction in traditional ethnic forms of dance and music as well as Arts-In-Education programs to schools throughout the tri-state area. Lotus Music & Dance also presents Manhattan’s only open air pow wow, the annual Drums Along the Hudson Native American Festival and Shad Fest, now in its sixth year.