By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor Published Nov 02, 2023 at 11:02 AM

Diwali is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year and it takes place this year beginning on Sunday Nov. 12

Despite its importance, the holiday remains relatively unfamiliar to most non-Indian communities. And yet, both the spirit and theme of this "festival of lights" are universal:  the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

As a result, ElevAsian and the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) have partnered with the Milwaukee Bucks to host a community celebration of Diwali with the goal of bringing all communities together to learn about and experience the holiday.

The Celebration of Light will take place on Sunday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Atrium, 2107 E. Capitol Dr. in Shorewood.

The event will feature a discussion about Diwali along with dance performances, kids' crafts, henna artists and a  marketplace.  The celebration will culminate with a traditional meal.

Tickets are available for purchase online. The cost is $10 for children (age 10 and under) and $30 for adults. 

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor

As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.