Parties have been a wonderful development, ever since the fire was discovered. After that, I imagine, every time a MAN made a fire and sat admiring its dance, another appeared, drawn of course by the dance, but the warmth as well. The MAN was happy at the sight of the new company, but the company feeling light in his contribution to this happy meeting, decided to bring coconut water to enhance the aura.
Of course, as time went by, the dance and warmth of the flame, was replaced by the graceful WOMAN and the coconut drink by the ever loving booze. Brilliant!
These are, of course, the ingredients of a most awesome party.
The recipe was spread far and wide and (lo and behold!) it thus came to Dhaka.
Dhaka, a city teeming with millions. While you are looking, aghast at the sight of the multitudes of bodies, you’ve already been rammed 11times! And while you cried ‘Heavens!’ instead of ‘holy shit!’ the number has just doubled. But even this city of millions turns into millions of hearts on Valentine’s Day.
Aah Valentines’ day! Bouquets, cards and love. Party also? Oh thank you very much. Given that I’m a newly wed, any chance to cut a rug with the missus, will not be missed
And so it was on Valentines’ Day, 2010, that a party was organized by United Showbiz for the hearts in Dhaka who could afford the anticipated glitzy party. Normally you can’t have a glitzy party in Dhaka, unless it’s at a five star hotel; otherwise the caliber of the crowd would be questionable. And yours truly would be squirming his nose throughout.
So the missus got ready, looking ravishing in a red top, and yours truly handsome as ever drove to the venue.
The venue was Radisson Water Garden Hotel. Very picturesque. Tickets were 3000 Tk each or about $45. Very secured place, the entrance consisting of police, guards, muscular bouncers (is there any other kind?) and metal detectors. The party had started at 8, but guests in Bangladesh will never arrive at a given time, since punctuality is a word completely lost and twisted in translation to mean the opposite. Soon though, the place was filled. It was at this point that the nose squirming started. Can’t really have cops and robbers at a party together, can you? You can?!! Oh well
Once through the security check, you’re inside. You then enter into a quite fantastic hall room, also serving as a lounge to the main party hall. The bass from the music hall, got caught at the walls, but it still created a dull thud to serve as a background in the lounge and was accompanied by chirpy conversation.
The food was served here and quite a delectable spread it was! It was a buffet with assortments of sushi and sashimi, chicken cuts, beef skewers, fish with tartar sauce and basmati rice. Don’t know what that is? Google it. Very pleasant. There was also dessert consisting of mini black forest cakes. No complaints about the food then, tasty and filling. Good combo! The atmosphere in the lounge was like an art gallery invitation. Lot of mingling amongst people, good conversation and food, amidst lovely décor.
After that, my lady in red and I went into the music hall. Looked absolutely gorgeous inside. Blue tinges of soft light on the ceilings and warm glowing golden hues near the floors. White drapes and sofas looked beautiful and cozy.
The entertainment for the evening was a band, called pentagon, and two djs. The organizers opted for the band to start off the celebrations, and they played with much aplomb covering classic hits like ‘sultans of swing’, a lot of 80s and 90s love songs as well as some upbeat numbers like like ‘La Bamba’ and ‘I will survive’. The crowd really enjoyed the performance, and went onto the dance floor on the upbeat numbers. Credit to the band because once the crowd was on the dance floor, they didn’t take a break in the music, to keep the crowd moving.
After playing for about an hour, they took a break to have dinner, while the first of the djs took over. Dj Juno was the name and a novice wouldn’t be the right word for this fella, but he tried to live upto it. He had pretty poor music selection, and for a long time, not a single person even looked at the dance floor while he was there. Towards the end of his set, he did put on a couple of popular hits that got people coming to the floor; but just as the crowd fervor reached a high at the new tracks, he just stopped playing! And someone told me he didn’t drink!
The band rescued the show at that point and put in another hour of hard work, while the crowd found its feet again. Food in the belly, drinks were flowing, music was tops, it was sweet! And then came the big attraction for the night, the most famous dj in Bangladesh, Dj Prince with his set. He knows crowds like Charlie Sheen knows women, and played a mixture of bhangra, hiphop, club hits and house to keep the crowd swaying. There was even an announcement of a gift hamper for the best dancing couple. All the motivation to remain on the floor.
Right then the verdict for the party would be good, as you’d probably guess, but yours truly’s nose was squirming noticeably throughout. But when you’ve got the most beautiful girl dancing with you, you tend to pull through…with a smile.
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