Bollywood Espresso Festival

A taste of India in the heart of Rome

The Bollywood Espresso Festival was launched in 2023 as Rome's first event entirely dedicated to Bollywood and Indian folk dance. The concept is in the name: an espresso—a short, intense format that packs into a single weekend what usually takes months of courses to learn. The event takes place in Rome, in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region, and has already captured an audience from all over the country.

The venue: Il Sole e La Luna dance school

The festival's headquarters is the Il Sole e La Luna dance school, located at Salita di Poggio San Lorenzo 7, in the Nomentano district, just a short walk from the Libia Metro B station and the Roma Nomentana railway station. The studios host small groups by design, allowing instructors to provide personalized attention to every participant, from absolute beginners to experienced dancers.

Six styles, six masters

The program revolves around a series of workshops, each led by a different teacher. Over the years, the festival has showcased a wide variety of disciplines, highlighting the vastness of the Indian repertoire:

• Garba — the circular folk dance of Gujarat, festive and collective, linked to Navratri celebrations.
• Bhangra — the energy of Punjab, characterized by jumps, driving rhythms, and stage presence.
• Ghoomar — the elegant and hypnotic swirling dance from Rajasthan.
• Indian Lyrical — a narrative and interpretive style where gestures tell a story.
• Bolly-Blast — the most contemporary and cinematic style, inspired by Bollywood and South Indian cinema.
• Semi-classical — the bridge between traditional Indian classical dance and modern choreography.

The Holi party, the heart of the festival

On Saturday night, the festival moves out of the dance studio and becomes an open party. The Holi party—inspired by the famous Indian festival of colors marking the arrival of spring—brings together participants, teachers, and curious newcomers for an evening of music, performances, and open dance. It is the moment when the community surrounding Indian dance in Italy truly comes together, and you don't need to know how to dance to join in.

Why it's worth a visit

Bollywood dance has grown significantly in Italy in recent years, but opportunities to study with international teachers remain rare. Bollywood Espresso brings instructors to Rome from Paris, Brussels, London, and even California, offering a range of styles in two days that can usually only be found at much larger festivals. Visitors from out of town will find the Nomentano area to be a quiet, well-connected residential neighborhood, just fifteen minutes by metro from the historic center: it's easy to combine a weekend of dance with a visit to Rome.

A project by the Bhumika Dance Company

Behind the festival is the Bhumika Dance Company, a Roman organization directed by Luisa Del Grosso, active year-round with Bollywood and oriental dance classes. The festival serves as its annual showcase and reflects its spirit: technical rigor combined with warmth and inclusivity. Those who attend once almost always return the following year.