WHAT'S ON

CLUB REGULARS

STONED ASIA Every Sunday @ Redstar, 319 Camberwell Road, London SE5,  5.00pm - 12.00 am

Pathaan is the man with a plan to turn on the world to the new ambient and global sounds that are captivating clubbers from here to Ibiza and back.  With choice guest selectors and with his recording partner Gaudi, (as Orchestral World Groove) on percussion.  Expect the best in global beats and breathtaking visuals.   Admission is FREE

Every Monday @ Club Soho, Leicester

Arena 1 is pumping with non stop bhangra with DJ's  on  rotation every week. Arena 2 ,  the lights are pulsating and the vibes electric as the DJ's smash it with all the kickin Garage,  R&B,  Soul,  Swing and Ragga. 

Every  Wednesday  @ Living,  Brixton,   London 9.00pm  - 2am

Pathaan from 'Stoned Asia Music' fame provides a night of musical entertainment covering all genres and music from around the globe.  The  weekend starts here   !  Admission is FREE

Every Wednesday @ Sway,  Great Queen Street,  London (Opposite Browns)

DJ's Da Playboys, Steve Runningman, Mass Appeal,  G-Force,  Heat  FM Crew (96.9)  Music Policy,  Soul,  Swing,   r 'n' b hip hop.   Great venue,  friendly people and heavy beats.  Dress to impress.

Every Wednesday @ The Gas Club,  Off Wardour Street,   London 10pm-3am

DJ sizzle,  Crazy D and Prestige Roadshow bringing you the best  in House   n Garage,  R n B  and Bhangra.  Entrance:  Gents £5 NUS £3 ladies £3.

Every Thursday @ Bar Bollywood,  34 Dover Street,  Mayfair

A pre weekend stress relief, bringing you down to your roots with Asian club classics for the original partygoer.  Popular with the cosmopolitan city crowd.  Door Policy - No Denim No Sportswear.  Over 21's.  All Drinks Half Price before 9.00pm.  £4  B4 9.00pm  £6 Thereafter.

Every Thursday @ Stardust Club, High Street North,  East Ham  London E6

Pumping with non-stop Bhangra,  R 'n' B and Garage with VDM Roadshow & DJ Kash.  9pm till late.  Free entry before 11pm. Drinks:  Beers

£1.80, Spirits £1.50, Curry+Rice+Naan £5.00.

Fridays Monthly @ Medicine Bar & Ware-house and outside pool area. 3 floors of music with and adjacent warehouse  and outside poolarea.  RESIDENTS DJS: Bobby Friction,  Juttla, XS  Bass & Sonny ji with headline acts every month.

Every Friday @ Bar Bolllywood,  Dover Street,  London 8.00pm - 1am

Cre'me de la cre'me of the young professional in mature surrounding complimented by the fusion of east meets west Music Policy.  Popular with media savvy crowd.  Door Policy - Guest List and couples only Dress code - No Denim No Sportswear.  Over 23's Only.  All Drinks half price before 9.00pm.  £10 - Guest List and Couples Only.

Every Friday @ Kipital Club,  Leicester Square,  9.00pm - 3am

Music Policy : 1990-2001 Bhangra meets Bollywood, R'n' B  Hip-Hop and Garage.   Spun By  the Best DJ's Hustlers Convention,  Markie Mark & ADC, Paradise, The Specialist Double Trouble,  Klimax,  Uncensored,  Neil -P.

Every Friday @ Rowan's Cafe Bar, Chiswick

Opposite Fountain Leisure centre each and every Friday night 8.00pm till late,   Playing the finest of Bollywood remixes / Bhangra / R n B and World Dance.   Resident D.J. 's The Legendary Casbah Roadshow London Plus D.J.'s  on rotation.

Saturdays @ Bar Bollywood, Dover Street, London

Internationally acclaimed Night for the mature Partygoer from around the world.   Popular with many famous guest within the Bollywood film industry.

Every 1st Saturday of every Month @ Cargo, Shoreditch, London 9pm - 3am

Join Pathaan and Gaugi on this night in order for Orchestral World Groove to take their sounds to fresh ears.  Allow Cargo to establish itself as a live music venue for the discerning music lover.  The best in global beats, visuals and incense for their   'live multi channel manipulation soundscape'.

ORGANISING THE RIGHT KIND OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOUR WEDDING TAKES TIME AND EFFORT.   WHETHER YOU ARE STARTING FROM SCRATCH OR PART WAY THROUGH YOUR SEARCH,  THIS WEDDING GUIDE CAN HEP YOU PICK THE PERFECT ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOUR WEDDING GUESTS.

tradition

From the humble folk singers in India to the sequinned bhangra bands in Britain,   Asian weddings have traditionally included an element of light entertainment.   Be they family members or professional singers,  musicians dancers or disc jockeys,  wedding entertainers help liven up what can be a joyous but somewhat lengthy occasion.  Vocal and musical interludes have always been important components of Asian wedding celebrations,  be they Sikh,  Muslim or Hindu.  From the traditional mehndi,  baraat baja and shenai to the modern ladies' sangeet or evening reception,  Asian culture has traditionally advocated some form of merriment at marriage ceremonies.

organisation

When it comes to organising the caterers, venue and decorations,  the bride's   family is traditionally responsible for making the arrangements and footing the bill.  However,  the ownership of entertainment is not so clear.  Over the years the groom's family have been liable for providing entertainment ,  particularly amongst the Sikh and Hindu communities.  This is usually a point agreed between the two families during the initial stages of wedding plans.

type of entertainment

With so many options,  it's  a good idea to sit down with your partner and family to agree on the type and style of musical entertainment  you and your guest would like.  Do the acoustic jingles of a live band or singer sound of a Disc Jockey your cup of tea?  Perhaps a combination of both?  Live bands or musicians tend to create a unique and lively atmosphere  but are more likely to stick to a specific genre and/or  number of items.  They are also more likely to need a larger stage/ space to set up their equipment.  Disc Jockeys tend to have wider ranges of music to hand and are capable of accommodating request,  be they latest dance floor tracks or old classics.   They also generally have less group members and can provide additional attractions such as light,  laser,  fireworks and video wall displays.  Classical or contemporary dancers can add a touch of class to a soiree and be an original centrepiece to kick off or close proceedings.

cost 

Entertainers can cost more than you think and it's easy to get tempted and spend more than you can afford  to for  the sake of having the newest or best entertainer money can by.  It's a good idea to phone around  to get quotes from a variety of entertainer.  Most artistes have listing in telephone or business directories or their own website where  they advertise their services.  Have a realistic budget in mind when searching,  set a maximum limit and try your best to stick to it.   Different artistes will want to get paid in different ways so it's worth checking and making a note of preferred method for each.  Most will require a cash or cheque deposit and the balance after completing the performance,  however some do insist on full payment upfront.  DJs can charge anything between  £100 to £700 a go, depending on their status/ reputation and number of hours they are needed for.  Recognisable or celebrity names can obviously cost a great  deal more than a relative novice.  Bands,  singers and musicians can charge anything between £200 to £5,000 according to their  celebrity status.  Hiring entertainment from abroad, such as India,  Pakistan or Bangladesh, it also an option, but can cost just as much (if not more)  since travel and accommodation costs will need to be covered.

repertoire

To get a better idea of the kind of entertainment package you are buying, it is worth finding out the extent of the entertainer,s  repertoire.  Do they only sing or play their own composition or do they play a wider selection from other artistes/groups.  Can they accommodate request, including current or classic songs/ tunes?  Do they have a fixed number of items or time within they need to perform?  Entertainer (s) themselves can be help in terms of providing relevant suggestion and advice on things like appropriate music to be played on the bride and groom's entrance,  the couple  first song,  music to accompany the cake   cutting ceremony etc.  Other performers,  such as dancers, can provide you with information on the music they need and costumes they wear.

Find out whether  they are appropriate  for traditional Asian Wedding.   Some may have experience of performing at birthday parties or clubs in front of entirely different audiences.  This is your special day at a respectable community centre or hotel,  not a gig at the local nightclub!Will they be able to steer clear of explicit lyrics, risque costumes,  thumping basslines and freestyle remixing?

recommendation

Sadly, some Asian entertainers have become quite notorious for their lack of professionalism, so you need to find out if they are from a trusted and /or objective source.  One way of ensuring satisfaction is to get trusted friend or family to recommend entertainers they have either hired themselves or seen at function,   preferably a wedding.  Ask them to describe their style and how  guest reacted to their performance.  Make sure you get their full name (so) and contact details, including address,  telephone numbers and email if necessary.  Do not rely on mobile numbers only.

booking

Wait until you have a confirmed wedding date before you book the entertainment.   Once you do,  start hunting as early as possible to avoid   disappointment.  At least six months earlier is advisable.  Double check your dates in a calendar and with the entertainers themselves to make sure you are all in agreement.  The type, location and size of your wedding venue can determine the kind of entertainment you can.  Think about acoustic and availability of changing room,  storage space and parking faculties for the entertainer (s).  Is  the location know to them, or will they need direction and extra time to travel there? Give them a map and address and contact number of the venue.  Once you think you have found the entertainer(s) for you, set out a basic agreement,  preferably in writing.   Agree upon an exact time,  date, fee and form of payment.  Remember to re-confirm details nearer the time,  particularly the day of the event, if possible to avoid uncertainty or panic.  Try not to rely on a relative or friend to do this if you think they can't cope with the task.