On world environment day, do your bit to save Gaia plus 4 more must-catch events

On world environment day, do your bit to save Gaiau00a0plus 4 more must-catch events

On: Saturday, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Where: Maharashtra Nature Park, near Dharavi Bus Depot, Sion-Dharavi Link Road.
Call: 9820913662 / 9661738221

In Greek mythology, Gaia is the primordial being of the Earth, a version of Mother Nature herself. This weekend, you can save her by being part of a film festival to mark World Environment Day. The Save Gaia Film Fest brings to the fore critical issues about the environment through short films made by amateurs from around the country, as well as award-winning short films made by the winners of the UK Environment Film Fellowships (UKEFF) 2010. An initiative of short film club Movie Mala, in collaboration with The British Council, the festival will open with a talk by Avinash Kubal (Deputy Director of Maharashtra Nature Park), followed by screenings of around ten competing short films, with topics as diverse as global warming, the evolution of man, water conservation (shot on a cell phone) and the virgin areas of Matheran. "We have kept the entry parameters very wide in order to encourage all sorts of themes," says Kedar Nimkar, founder-member of Movie Mala. "We hope to spread awareness about environmental issues, and at the same time provide a platform for radically different ideas by young filmmakers." As you sit amidst the ecological diversity that makes up the Maharashtra Nature Park, you can also interact with the filmmakers to know where they find their inspiration.

Rain plays cupid to your passion for fashion
Till: July 31
Where: Bombay Electric, 1, Reay House, BEST Marg, Colaba
Call: 22876276

In a city waiting for an affirmative nod from the rain gods, here's another reason to say a silent prayer. Bombay Electric, the multi-designer boutique, offers a flat 10% discount on their merchandise on any day it rains. Brands you can find on the rack include Peru, Rasa, Manish Arora, Namrata Joshipura, Cue, Ghee-Butter and Anupama Dayal, menswear designs by Ashish N Soni and accessories by Nine Z, Meenakshi Das and Vanya.

An exhibition inspired by cultural diversity and quirky hairstyles
Till: June 15
Where: Alliance Fran aise de Bombay, Theosophy Hall, 40, New Marine Lines.
Call: 22036187

Hemant Morparia was elated when he found out that he was chosen by Sud Ouest, a newspaper in Bordeaux, France, to do their illustrations. But his initial enthusiasm was soon replaced by apprehension ufffd how would he work in a country where he didn't even know the local language, leave alone create cartoons on local issues? "It's then that I decided to be myself and take the outsider's view. What I see, the locals might not. Like for instance why does everyone wear black all the time? Why do most young girls have this particular hairstyle that covered one eye? Why did everyone smoke and ride a bicycle? Why are baguettes so damn hard to chew?" says the radiologist who moonlights as a cartoonist.
Morparia's current exhibition follows his three-week journey through the land of cheese, wine and haute couture. "It takes particularly mature people to invite a humourist from another country to draw cartoons on their lifestyle. Can you imagine Iran doing that or even the US?" Stop by the exhibition to get his satirical and witty perspective on the country.

Dance to the tunes of stereo love
On: Tonight, 9 pm onwards
Where: Hype, Atria Mall, Worli.
Call: 9004775777
Entry: Rs 4,000 per couple (Rs 3,000 cover charge)

When Romanian musician Edward Maya's song Stereo Love was released as his debut single late last year, it stormed discotheques across the world, and topped the French, Dutch, Finnish, Swedish and Irish singles charts. Today, you can dance to the musician-composer-performer's tunes as part of his maiden visit to India. The performance starts at 12.01 am sharp, but the doorsu00a0 open at 9 pm. We suggest you make a reservation.

Get bitten by Schumania
On: June 5 to June 8
Where: Experimental Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point.
Call: 22824567
Tickets: Rs 100 onwards
It's amazing what disabilities can do to tap into a person's potential. Beethoven continued to compose, conduct, and perform despite losing his hearing. Robert Schumann wanted to become a virtuoso pianist, but a hand injury prevented that, making Schumann focus his musical energies on composing instead.
In memory of the great German composer, and counting down to his bicentenary on June 8, Furtados and the NCPA have organised a Western Classical music festival, as an appreciation of Schumann's works. Canadian pianist Paul Stewart kicks off the festival on Saturday (7 pm) with a solo recital of Schumann's most-loved works, followed by the Con Brio semifinals on Sunday (10 am), where 12 pianists from around the country will compete to make it to the finals of Con Brio The John Games Memorial All India Piano Competition. Sunday (7 pm) will see city-based Marialena Fernandes present music by four composers: Schumann, Chopin, Albeniz and Barber. The Con Brio finals are on Monday (7 pm), whereas Tuesday will have Marialena and Paul accompany chamber singers as the festival's concluding act.