On a Saturday a few weeks ago, I finally had the opportunity to go to DJ Prashant’s Bollywood dance party. Instead of his usual venue at the Crystal Ballroom, the party was hosted at the Mcmenamins Mission Theater on NW 17th and Glisan. Prashant also added a new component to his DJ style- VISUALS!
Much like the 80’s dance party that graces Lola’s Room, Prashant used the music videos from Bollywood movies in creative tessellating patterns to hint at his next dance pick. Plus the crowd begins to feel like part of the dance number as you join in with Shahrukh Khan’s festival dance moves or try to titillate like Katrina Kaif.
It was a wonderful night. The doors opened around 9pm for a cover of $5 (it increases after 10pm). My boyfriend and I had a double date with another couple there. Since we were there early, there was time to talk over a mango margarita or chai-tini ($9) and ogle the screen that depicted miscellaneous movie plots to us. At 10 pm , Prashant taught us to dance Bollywood style with the his favorite song “Jai ho,” from Slumdog Millionaire. By this time, more people were on the dance floor. The dance music played, starting with a mix of Bollywood and Western songs. The songs playing did not match with the videos playing on the screen and I was initially disappointed about it. However, then I was informed that Prashant hadn’t even started playing his songs, so when it was his turn, he really got the party started.
Prashant might just be the king of the hip Bollywood dance scene in Portland. DJ Anjali is fun too, because they play memorable favorites of old and new movies. However, they often have the same playlist (though I will have to visit Prashant a second time to observe his variations). I like how Prashant interacts with his audience more with the dance lesson, being charismatic and friendly and bringing East and West together : “Dance to this song with all of Mumbai tonight!”
He plays all the freshest music from the films and keeps you dancing the whole time- I DANCED FOR THREE HOURS STRAIGHT AND DIDN’T WANT TO STOP.
It was interesting to see the new songs because I have been behind on the recent bollywood films. Bollywood seems to be becoming more liberal with their depictions of sex. I was really surprised about the risqué content compared to the earlier films: you can see nipples during a tomato stomping, women can now writhe in sheets, and men can move their pants up and down (see below).
But see its’ all a good time!
Another trend was the style seemed a lot like the 1990’s, and the film quality was not the only thing. They wear a lot of 1990’s fashions with bright colors and mimic rap and Prince videos.
At this location, they served food until pretty late so our friends ordered nachos and my bf and I got a sandwich to keep us going.
I can’t wait to go again.
