From the Times Dispatch:

Punjab Festival

The event is free.

If you’re interested in taking a deeper look at a large portion of India, try Saturday’s “Festival of Punjabi People & Culture” from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Richmond’s Landmark Theater, 6 N. Laurel St. .

Apna Virsa Apna Punjab is presenting its seventh such festival, which will include entertainment, food, a marketplace and more to celebrate the Punjab region of India and Pakistan.

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Bhangra dance competition

The festival also will feature a Bhangra dance competition at 7 p.m., for which tickets can be obtained through http://www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets for the dance competition cost $11 to $16.

Originating in the Punjab region as a form of music and dance, Bhangra was performed as a folk dance by farmers to celebrate the coming of spring. Today, it survives through pop music, film soundtracks and competitions.

Bhangra contests have become popular in the past decade, with many colleges and universities forming Bhangra dance teams and competing all over the world.

This is AVAP’s third Bhangra dance competition. During its tenure, teams from as far away as Southern California and British Columbia have participated.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Massey Cancer Center.

For details, call (804) 828-1451.