Building a month-long festival from the ground up is challenging enough when it focuses solely on one artistic discipline, such as music.

But last year's inaugural Rasa Festival was a multidisciplinary party with performing, visual, literary, media/films, and culinary arts from India, presented in various Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti venues.

It was a big achievement and the 2018 edition (September 1-October 7) looks to build on that success with more art exhibitions, dance performances, poetry readings, music concerts, film screenings, and a foodie event.

Here's the full calendar of events, many of which are free:

September 1 - September 30
Sonabai: Another Way of Seeing
An exhibition of the unique folk art of Sonabai Rajawar
Riverside Arts Center, Ypsilanti
FREE

September 1 - September 30
An Other India: Diverse Impressions
Contemporary Art Exhibition
Riverside Arts Center, Ypsilanti
FREE

Thursday, September 6, 7 pm
Talk by anthropologist and art historian Stephen Huyler
Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Branch
FREE

Friday, September 7, 6 pm
Sonabai and Contemporary Arts Exhibition, Opening Reception
Riverside Arts Center Gallery, Ypsilanti
FREE

September 5 - September 30
Anthropologist Stephen Huyler offers a series of talks and teaching opportunities in local schools

Tuesday, September 11, 7 pm
Printmaking workshop by Sajeev Visweswaran
Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Branch
FREE

Saturday, September 15, 8-9:30 pm 
Poetry Through the Ages
Dance, theater, performance, poetry, and multimedia
Arthur Miller Theater, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Tickets

Friday, September 21, 7 pm
Voices of South Asia: Readings and Reflections
Michigan poets Samiah Haque, Ashwini Bhasi, and others will read their poetry
Literati Bookstore, Downtown Ann Arbor
FREE

Saturday, September 22, 9:30 am-2:30 pm (lunch break 12-1 pm)
Ayuryoga Wellness: The Art of Self-Care
Kerrytown Concert House, Ann Arbor

Saturday, September 22, 4-6 pm
Crossroads: New Directions in Indian Classical Dance
Riverside Arts Center Dance Studio, Ypsilanti

Friday, September 28, 7 pm
Voices of South Asia: Readings and Reflections
Renowned author Amitava Kumar will read from his new novel, "Immigrant, Montana"
Literati Bookstore, Downtown Ann Arbor
FREE

Sunday, September 30, 12:30-5:30 pm
Film Festival: Satyajit Ray Retrospective
Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Branch
FREE

Wednesday, October 3, 7 pm
Sarod concert and lecture; demonstration by Diptavo Dutta
Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Branch
FREE

Friday, October 5, 7-9 pm 
Saturday, October 6, 6-9 pm
Rasa Performance: dance, music, and theater
Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College, Ypsilanti
Tickets: 10/5 and 10/6

Sunday, October 7, 3-5 pm
Culinary Event: Indian and world cuisines demonstration and workshop by chef and theater actor Sanchayita Bhattacharjee
Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Branch
FREE

Rasa Festival 2018 runs September 1-October 7 in various Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti locations. Visit rasafestival.org for more information.