CHICAGO: The Chicgoland Punjabi community of Metropolitan Chicago gets ready to celebrate Vaisakhi festival with a big bang at "Rangla Punjab 2008" show being organized by Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) on Saturday April 12 at Gateway (Copernicus) Theater in Chicago.

The doors open at 6 p.m. and the festivities begin at 7 p.m. sharp. About 30 performing arts acts are on tap and an audience of nearly 2000 is expected. A student class of Lake Forest College is attending to get a taste of Punjabi culture.

The third edition of the Punjabi community directory "Punjabi Pages 2008" will also be released at this event. Vaisakhi festival is the celebration of ending of harvest season, and beginning of a new cycle. It's a symbol of renewal. For Sikhs the day has significance that in 1699 the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa order.Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) is organizing this traditional, colorful Punjabi cultural program titled "Rangla Punjab 2008" for the last two decades. This is the single largest annual Punjabi cultural variety event in Chicago area that show cases the Punjabi performing arts and promotes the local community talent.

A gathering of 2000 is expected where more than 250 local artists from Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Arkansas, Michigan & California will display their best. This "Rangla Punjab" show has been staged in Chicago area since the early eighties.Popular Punjabi dances Bhangra and Gidha, Punjabi music and songs, comedy skits, and many other items will be performed. Program sponsorship opportunities and several attractive package options are available. Limited space for merchandise vendor booths in the lobby area is also available, please call PCS.

PCS will award $1000, $750 and $500 each scholarships to qualified High School Seniors Punjabi students to be given at "PCS Youth Graduation Night 2008," on Sunday June 8, 2008. Last date to apply is May 11, 2008," said Baljit Sidhu, the PCS Youth Director, "the sponsors are also needed," he added.

All the "Rangla Punjab 2008" performers and Class of 2008 Punjabi graduates will also be recognized at the "PCS Graduation/Appreciation Night 2008" on June 8. PCS 14th annual "Punjabi Sports Festival 2008" is on August 10 in Palatine park district. PCS Chicago's 7th International Bhangra & Gidha Competition at PCS Night 2008 is scheduled for November 8.