When the New York Post created the above video in 2009 Basement Bhangra; SOB's popular party was 11 years old. Next month marks the 15th anniversary of the monthly party which is held on the first Thursday of every month. I went to May's Basement Bhangra last Thursday and had a lot of fun dancing to DJ Rekha's music.
What is Bhangra? DJ Rekha describes it as a folk music that originates in Punjab; a region divided by India and Pakistan. What makes DJ Rekha's Basement Bhangra so appealing, for so many years, is that she mixes in other music styles such as Dancehall, Reggae, and Hip Hop. President Obama describes it as an "uniquely American sound."
On Basement Bhangra Thursdays, SOB's opens its doors at 7pm where there is a Sangria Open Bar until 8pm. At 9pm there is a free Bhangra dance lesson (although you don't need to know how to dance Bhangra you just need to have a love of dancing and the moves will come to you). By 10pm SOBs is full and people are having a great time on the dance floor.
Below is Pyar Baile
by DJ Rekha and Dave Sharma Featuring Zuzuka Poderosa and Meetu Chilanan the first video from DJ Rekha's label Beat Bazaar Music.
SOBs
204 Varick St
Corner of Varick and West Houston
New York, NY 10014
