The third annual "I Just Wanna Dance" is this Saturday in Redondo Beach, CA. (IJWD)

The highly anticipated cultural show, in its third year, will be held at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 9th, at 6:30 p.m.

To understand just how special this show is to the Southern California Indian community and beyond, perhaps a little backstory will help:

As one of many American-born South Asians growing up in America, I, too, miss dancing. You see, coming from an Indian family, the urge to dance is practically in our blood. Although not every Indian person in the world enjoys dancing, it is certain that dance is a central part of Indian culture.

Although Indian college students often move out from under their parents' roofs in search of independence at the start of freshman year, many stay close to their roots through dance.

Each year, most major colleges and universities host Indian culture shows, featuring dances from different parts of India performed by college students. There are a wide range of styles, from high-energy Bhangra and Hindi film (think Bollywood), to graceful, classical Kathak and even fusion dances.

For parents and grandparents in attendance, as well as uncles and aunties (as just about any family friend your parents' age is called), it is a bit nostalgic. Families of performers also experience a moment of pride when watching their skinny-jeans wearing, primarily English-speaking, possibly-hipster kid busting out "desi" dance moves in traditional dancewear onstage.

Although college kids may not be able to go to every Durga Puja or other community event anymore, cultural dances make it clear that they still value their heritage.

For other attendees, such as those who haven't been exposed to Indian culture or dance, it is an exciting sensory experience, with the sights and sounds akin to that of a Bollywood movie they might have once seen... only better! Plus, if there is Indian food involved, then the senses of taste and smell are also stimulated. Luckily for those who plan on attending "I Just Wanna Dance" (a.k.a. IJWD), there will be plenty of delicious food truck fare to choose from, including that of No Tomatoes, Kogi BBQ, The Urban Oven, and Nature's Guru.

There's something exciting about being part of a show like this. For all four years of my undergraduate experience at UCLA, I performed in various Indian dances alongside my classmates for our annual culture show, hosted by UCLA's Indian Student Union. Although I had trained in and performed Kathak (a highly technical classical dance) for ten years prior to that, there was something about the energy of the show, and the mix of dances, dancing with my peers, and the eager crowds that made it wildly exciting and memorable.

Ever since graduating, I missed that rush of all those practices with your teammates culminating in one spectacular night onstage for friends, family, and all the other smiling faces in the crowd. IJWD gives post-graduates like me a chance to perform again, and brings a SoCal community of like-minded individuals together through their shared love of dance.

Although there is a large Indian community in SoCal, people should know that not all Indians are the same. There are many more regions with different cultures, customs, languages and religions than one can keep track of, and because of this we may all be called Indian, but we come from diverse backgrounds. Similarly, there are different styles of dance for different parts of the subcontinent. Still, I should admit that there are many common threads among most Indians, such as the way Indian parents monitor their kids' grades with the precision of a hawk.

Anyways, the point is that although most of the dances are strictly Indian (with a few exceptions such as fusion numbers and hip hop--go figure), the show is anything but repetitive and boring. There is a wide variety of dances, so there's truly something for everyone. Musicians and singers also perform Indian songs, and comedians come up with endlessly hilarious material as a result of Indian culture and its idiosyncrasies. It's an event you can bring the whole family to, and you won't leave disappointed.

If that weren't enough reason to attend this amazing show, a portion of proceeds will benefit Pratham, India's largest charity working to bring literacy to underprivileged children. The organization began with the slums in Mumbai in 1994, and has since impacted millions of children every year. So while you're enjoying the performances, know that you are also donating to a worthwhile cause.

Tickets for the show range from $10 to $20 if purchased online. This year, guests are allowed to reserve seats online at the time of purchase, making for a smoother arrival on the day of the show.

Not only is IJWD for charity, but it is also about people coming together not because they are in the same Indian club in college or because they feel like they should participate, but because they all have one thing in common: their passion for dance and performing. Although working full time and/or going to graduate school and then commuting up to fifty or more miles to attend practice a couple times a week can be draining, that doesn't stop these dancers from being dedicated to put on a great show.

By the end of the show, if all the festive music and dancing makes you want to start dancing too, you can head over to the afterparty and dance the night away with the show's performers and many others to Bollywood, Bhangra, dance, and top 40 music at the Custom Hotel, just a few miles away from the show venue.

For more information on the show, visit the "I Just Wanna Dance" Facebook page, or go here to purchase tickets.

Reach Tanaya Ghosh here or follow her on Twitter.