Anonymously Culturing in Bangalore

Future Culture 1

What’s worth culturing with in Bangalore this weekend? A jazz gig, a funny play, and a screen printing workshop.

Gig: Dhruv! @ The BFlat Bar

This is one serious line-up. Dhruv Ganekar (Guitar), who is the co-founder of Blue Frog in Mumbai and a global performer, will be accompanied by some of India’s best-known jazz names - Tala Faral (Sax & Keys), Sheldon D’Silva (Bass) and Gino Banks (Drums). If you want some terrific music, you’ll make your way here.

Day: Friday, July 29

Time: 8:30pm - 11:30pm

Entry: Rs. 200/- or Rs. 300/-

Contact: (080) 25278361, Facebook

Play: Monty Python’s Spamalot @ Chowdiah Memorial Hall

Spamalot is billed as a rip-roaring musical spoof on King Arthur and his knights of Camelot and their hilarious quest for the Holy Grail. This version, directed by Leila Alvares, brings some of Bangalore’s most famous names on stage, including Prem Koshy, Shyju Varkey, Vivek Madan and Mark Swaroop. One of the few professional plays you can hope to catch in Bangalore.

Days: Friday, July 29 - Monday, Aug 1

Time: 7:15pm - 9:15pm

Tickets: Rs. 500/-, Rs. 300/-, Rs. 200/-

Contact: (080) 25282602, Buy tickets online

Workshop: Screen Printing @ Idiom Design, Indiranagar

In four short hours on a Saturday afternoon, you could learn the simple process of screen printing. It’s going to be a small batch; so, individual attention ought to be high. What’s the point of screen printing? Well, for one, I’ll be able to print my propaganda on T-shirts.

Ditch the 4-hour Karan Johar/ Ashutosh Gowarikar saga playing on TV this Saturday afternoon, and come along. Say AnonCulturist’s name when you register, and you’ll get a free cup of tea… from me.

Day: Saturday, July 30

Time: 1:45pm - 5:45pm

Fee: Rs. 1,200/-

Contact: (+91) 934-383-2545 (Registrations are still open)

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Lou Majaw @ The BFlat Bar

The grand old daddy of Indian rock brought his unique style of music to The BFlat Bar, and rocked the joint. At about 9:15pm (45 min after the advertised start time of 8:30pm; BFlat gigs always start late), he nonchalantly strolled up to the stage wearing his trademark denim hot pants, mismatched socks, and towels draped around his shoulders. He could be mistaken for a wrestler or a boxer were it not for the small leather satchel slung across his left shoulder and the cylindrical glass of whisky he placed on the amplifier.

A couple of members in the crowd screamed and hooted, and Lou swung around and squinted good-naturedly. The performer in him had awoken. He slung his guitar over his shoulder, plugged it in, switched on his amplifier, and casually began to strum. Before we knew it, the gig had begun, with no introduction, no sound check, nothing. It was as if Lou had just walked into a house party thrown by friends, picked up a guitar and was jamming.

He karate chopped his guitar a few times every song, and played a juicy version of Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man”, before he invited his friends on stage, and what a talented bunch they turned out to be! The lead guitarist, a small young man with tiny delicate hands and wearing a shiny black Fedora, ripped the guitar. His fingers flew over the fretboard and he had won over the crowd in no time. In fact, mid-way through the last song before the break, Lou unslung his guitar and made his way through the crowd to the bar, where he ordered more whisky, presumably, and made small talk with the patrons, while the rest of the band played up a storm on stage. After the lead guitarist was done with his shredding solo, it was the turn of the drummer to belt it out, and he did so in style, even placing his foot on the floor tom as he swung from soft to loud and slow to fast. The big-built bassist stood by watching in the classic unperturbed bassist role. His order taken, Lou jumped back on stage and finished the song.

Lou was the showman in all the songs he played with his friends, jumping around on stage like Angus Young, even walking into the crowd with his guitar, and ending each song with an exaggerated, extended crash of cymbals and guitars. At the dramatic end of one song, Lou leaped and punched the air, but instead caught the false ceiling, resulting in a “rain of dust”, as he called it.

The BFlat Bar is quickly becoming the go-to place for great live gigs. It can boast of an intimate set-up, some very good acoustics and sound equipment, and an appreciative vociferous crowd. Plus, they bring in some truly spectacular out-of-town gigs.

“Hold on to your dreams. Hold on to your love. And if you have neither, hold on to your glass.” - Lou Majaw

Date: July 23, 2011

Location: The BFlat Bar

Time: 9:15pm-11:30pm

Gig Rating: 4/5

Location Rating: 4/5

Crowd Rating: 4/5

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Where I Want to Go This Saturday

There are two interesting gigs happening this Saturday in Bangalore, both touching different genres.

Gig 1: Classical Piano Festival @ Alliance Francaise

This is the final day of a three-day western classical piano festival. Today features 17-year old Chelsea de Souza from Mumbai, playing a repertoire ranging from classical to the 20th century.

The Classical Piano Festival is being held at Alliance Francaise, organised by the Majolly Music Trust, in association with Theme Music and Kawai Pianos.

Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Daily donor pass: Rs. 300/-

Contact: (080) 41231340/4/5, Facebook

Gig 2: Lou Majaw @ The BFlat Bar

Lou Majaw is probably the biggest name you can get in the Indian music scene. Revered like the rock star he is, he has been the driving force behind Shillong’s annual tribute to Bob Dylan for nearly four decades. This promises to be a night of Dylan and rock n’ roll, and Lou Majaw is one of those artistes you must see live at least once. Tonight will be my night.

Come early. It will be so packed that people will be flowing out the windows.

Time: 8:30pm - 11:30pm

Entry charge: Rs. 200/- (may be more; this is the usual BFlat entry charge)

Know more: Facebook, Wikipedia

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