5
Friday, December 19, 2014
Here’s a pre-party that’s a must…
By Shubham Gupta
T
he sunburn lineup is to hit the console on December 27th but what till then? Do you have any plans for Friday the 19th? Do you want this night to be worth a ball? Well there is only one thing I’d say to you, and that, too, in an imperative tone. ESCAPE! No, don’t escape from Goa, just escape to Escape. A high-end club situated in the party village of Anjuna, the Ocean Pearl Escape is the official host of the Goa Sunburn Pre-Party this season. Being the biggest indoor nightclub in Goa, Escape and the Sunburn Pre-Party will have American-born Taiwanese producer Andrew Chen (aka Shogun) dropping the bass and scorching the dance floor on 19th December’14. From Orange County, California, Shogun is ranked among the top 100 DJs in the world by DJMag and is best known for the track ‘Skyfire’. Shogun first made his name warming up for DJs like Tiësto and Paul Oakenfold when he was resident at Ministry Of Sound in Taipei. He started
producing, and had trance tracks picked up by the likes of Egyptian pairing Aly & Fila, Armin's Armada label and then Paul van Dyk's Vandit label and radio show. He has also shared the stage with artists including Ferry Corsten, Nadia Ali, and Above and Beyond. One thing that makes Escape the ultimate party destination is that it has a capacity of over 1500 pax. Escape is part of a business class luxury hotel called the Ocean Pearl Escape. It boasts a lovely pool view for all to behold, where greenery adds luster to the pollution-free environs and the elegance clothed over this magnificent property. Nestled amidst luscious flora, The Ocean Pearl Escape is perfectly located between two popular Goan villages, Anjuna and Vagator. Its uncluttered comfort of 48 well-appointed rooms with 6 additional honeymoon suites, offers a highly memorable experience. Now that it’s also home to the Goa Sunburn Pre-Party, the memories are just beginning.
6 Music & Nightlife Dec 19 Goa Sunburn pre-party Shogun Artist Line Up: Shogun, Akshit Allimarc Nick & Nix At Club Escape, Anjuna 9 pm onwards +91 9923982676/ +91 8888487163 Kids x’mas party 2014 Do the Hokey Pokey with Santa Rs. 499/- Per child At HQ, Vasco 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm +91 832 2500015/16/17/19 The Anniversary Dine & Dance With the band Versatyle . At Firefly Goan Bistro Bar, Benaulim Beach 7.30 pm onwards +91 9822123535
Dec 20 Saturday Sundowners @ North16 GOA Saturday Sundowners are here, so get your dancing shoes, party hats and sexy swimwear! Electrifying Music. Bottomless Drinks. Need we say more? With DJ Priyanjanaa! At North 16 Goa, Calangute 5pm onwards +91 8554984843/54
Dec 21 Kids Christmas Party Get your kids in the holiday spirit with loads of prizes and surprises at Hotel Fidalgo. The party kicks off at the Great Hall . The celebration highlights include a lineup of fun and frolic along with a lavish buffet spread with live counters, DJ music, games and face painters. A joyful Christmas is not complete without Santa Claus. Santa and his helpers will be at the party to take pictures with your kids and send the best seasonal wishes. At Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim 4 pm to 7.30 pm +91 832 222 6292
Dec 25 Grand X’mas Ball with “Tidal Wave” Exclusive Christmas Menu At The Backyard, Sangolda 8 pm onwards +91 832 6520233
Dec 26 The Groove comes to Goa! Prem Joshua & Band Live At Teso Waterfront, Siolim +91 86986 94319
Dec 12 to Mar 27 JAZZ Friday Night Live The Bassman’s Band will be performing An exciting new live music ensemble featuring floating personnel that includes some of the most accomplished local as well as international artistes. The band’s line up and repertoire for each Friday night is curated by renowned bass player and music producer Colin D’Cruz. At Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort, Candolim 7 pm to 10 pm +91 832 249 4848
Dec 27 to Dec 29 Sunburn Goa 2014 Sunburn Goa is back in 2014 for its 8th year with the most explosive DJs. The festival promises to deliver the biggest celebration to EDM fans in Goa’s sun soaked beaches and stunning shorelines. This year’s main stage will feature an impressive 200-foot structure - the largest ever stage construction in Asia. At Vagator beach.
Dec 24, 25, 26 Ctrl alt Dance Pure Music Experience Curated By Ankytrixx At Marbela Beach, Morjim 6 pm onwards +91 9822102557
Dec 27 to Dec 30
VH1 Supersonic 2014 The stage is set for the most-iconic DJs from across the globe to perform at this year`s festival. The lineup this year includes; Above and Beyond, Aly & Fila, Andrea Olivia, Pearl, Tuhin Mehta, Vachan Chinappa and many more.. At Candolim beach.
Dec 30 to Dec 31
Limbo 2015 India’s Best Nye Parties Let’s bend the Music! At Marquis beach Resort, Candolim Goa 8 pm onwards +91 889988999
Every Monday
LIVE MUSIC How about live music and sea food? Catch Wahida Carmen Gomes live on vocals. The Fisherman’s Wharf, Cavelossim 7. 30 pm onwards +91 832 2871317 Karaoke Mondays Jive to your own tunes at Karaoke night with Sabby. The Backyard, Sangolda 8 pm onwards +91 9158372533
Every Tuesday
Every Friday
Live Music Music Guru presenting new artists from around the world jamming to blues, jazz and even rock n roll. Guru Club, St Anthony prise north Anjuna 9:00 pm to midnight +91 9823383257 | 9960956691 Freaky Friday Don’t freak out. It’s just another party place. The Peters Pub, Utorda Beach Road Gates open at 7:00 pm +91 9922909432
Every Saturday
Saturday Night – Music on Fire Have drinks and snacks with your friends and family around the fire with live music, before you head out to Saturday night market or Goan nightlife At Capiz Bar, Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim 9 pm till midnight. +91 832 301 1234 Saturday Nite Jive Jive to the best of rock and retro classics in a rather electronic tone with Alcatrazz Cheenos, Baga Bridge, Baga +91 8806564991
On-going
North16 Unplugged @ North16 Bar North16 Bar is playing fabulous tunes all week long! From Mellow Mondays to Jazz and Blues Saturdays, from Rock n Roll Wednesdays to Indipop Thursdays, North16 Bar has all the best gigs in town. Enjoy unlimited alcohol packages starting at Rs.499/-, So Drink and Dance all night long. 7:30pm onwards. North 16, Calangute +91 832 674 5423/5421
Acoustic Sunlight With Anselm Francis (Flute & Vocals) and Rodden ‘Ollie” Dsouza ( Acoustic Guitar & Vocals) At Tamarin, Near Calangute Mall, Calangute 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm +91 9545477670
Cavala Every Wednesday: Cavala Acoustic Latin Retro Every Friday: Tidal Wave Every Saturday: Piano played by Bosco Cavala, Calangute - Baga Road, Baga 8:30 pm onwards. +91 832 2276090
Extraordinary Nights Make your Tuesdays extraordinary with Emmanuel Antao. Gawin’s Restaurant, Varca 9:00 pm onwards. +91 9822177179
Cantare There’s live music on Thursday. The place fills up with locals (not many tourists), and its non-beach location nestled amid the Portuguese-inspired architecture of Saligao adds to the great vibe. Cantare, Saligao 8:00 pm onwards. +91 832 2409461
Every Wednesday
Wednesday - Ladies Night / Fashion Night Meet at the Fire Place for a complimentary welcome drink. Enjoy a midweek break with special themes on haute couture (trendsetting fashions) and beauty sessions and a 50% discount on food and drinks at The Verandah. Then end the night with live music at Capiz Bar with Jovan & Thelma. At Capiz Bar, Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim 7 pm till late 91 832 301 1234 Deafbeat The Headphone Party At Cleopatra Resort, Palolem Beach 9 pm onwards. +91 832 324 5473
Every Thursday
Enjoy the Happy offer with Happy Hours along with Live Musical Performances Buy 1 + Get 1 Indian Drinks! At Clematis Boutique Hotel, Candolim +91 8381043266
The Park, Calangute Every Monday: Retro Night By Jus Leo Every Wednesday: Music Love & Peace By DJ Colin Every Thursday: Retro Night Every Friday: Karaoke Night with KDJ Tony Every Saturday: Ladies Night with DJ Sunil and Tania The Park, Calangute 8 pm onwards +91 8805028194, +91 832 2267600
Casinos in Goa
Deltin Royale Casino Get lucky on a big boat. D.Bandodkar Road, Panjim +91 9820 616515 or email: groups@deltin. com (If you’re based in Mumbai) +91 7875 024455 or email: groupbookings@ deltin.com (If you’re based in Goa)
Thursday Sizzling Karaoke Nite Discover the hidden “Indian Idol” in you with Saby Fernandez. Kudos, Chogm Road, Porvorim 7:30 pm onwards. +91 832 6510565
Crown Casino The only vegetarian casino in Goa is where fun, relaxation and good times abound. Bairo Alto Dos Pilotos, Jose Falcao Road, Behind Old Secretariat, Panjim For Group Booking Contact: Nimish Desai: +91 9158883464/ +91 832 6635878 nimish@crowncasino.in
Silent Disco With DJ Mr. R & Flakey Spinning EDM. Nothing ‘silent’ about this disco (unless you’re wearing headphones, that is). Alpha Bar, Palolem 9:00 pm onwards. +91 9890281505
Deltin Jaqk Casino Fisheries Jetty, Fisheries Dept. Building, D. Bandodkar Road, Panaji Emai id: sales@deltin.comOther: info@ deltin.com Call: +91 77 987 40004, +91 88 0666 3673
I
t’s Christmas time in Goa. Of course we want to use this small space in Goa Streets to wish all our readers (and everyone else, for that matter) a very merry Christmas. But in the spirit of the season, let us give up pretention for just one moment. Who among us has a perfect life? Who among us is without challenges and tribulations? Who lives life without heartache, disappointment and unhappiness, even if just in small doses? We are human. We are imperfect. And we are frail. We gaze at the universe and at the stars, and we feel a sense of awe. Great beauty is possible, whether in the form of loving children or the laws of physics or Goan sunsets over the Arabian Sea. We live in a world where adults just this past week lined up school children and shot them point-blank in the head, where others were proud to broadcast their beheadings of innocents on social media, and where here in Goa it’s normal to think nothing of it as we pass construction sites with children as young as three labouring in the sun. No, being the child of a worker from Karnataka does not mean you are bereft of human rights. You have the right to an education, and a chance at a decent life. This is the tip of the iceberg. Injustices prevail, in Goa and beyond. Jesus Christ represents the notion of a messiah, a being sent from God to perfect the devastatingly flawed life on earth. Whether you believe or not, the ideal – the notion that a better world is possible – is the ultimate meaning of Christmas. Yes, we wish all of our readers of very happy Christmas. And yes, there is much to be grateful for. But not at the expense of blindness. Let us all open our eyes this Christmas. Let us remember the forgotten. Let us be better people. Merry Christmas from Goa Streets
10 Food & Drink Dec 21
Sunday Brunch With Chef Saby Enjoy a divine brunch under the benevolent sunlit sky prepared by award winning Chef Sabhyasachi Gorai. At Destination One, Calangute Beach 12pm to 4pm + 91 832 2494100, +91 7767801012
Dec 24
Christmas Eve Dinner Let the magic of Christmas fill your hearts as Jovan & Thelma bring back beautiful nostalgic melodies. Indulge in a scrumptious buffet of international cuisine and much awaited Christmas desserts. At The Dining Room, Grand Hyatt, Bambolim 7:00 PM – Midnight +91 832 3011510 Christmas Eve Gala Dinner Celebrate the Auspicious Christmas Eve Entertainment and Karoke by Emmanual At The Park, calangute 8 pm onwards. +91 8805028194
Dec 25
Christmas Day Brunches Celebrate this day of love as you unwind with family and friends over a lavish brunch with live music and fun while little ones enjoy fun-filled games at Camp Hyatt. At The Dining Room, Grand Hyatt, Bambolim 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM +91 832 3011510 Theme–WhiteChristmas Gather friends and family for Christmas celebrations in the relaxed surroundings of O’Goa at Fidalgo. This poolside restaurant will be primed with exotic Goan, Indian and International cuisine. Celebrate the season with a series of gastronomic spreads presented by our culinary team as you choose from a variety of appetizers, mains and desserts. with a live DJ and The Cream band to help usher in the X’mas spirit. The celebration continues with a variety of games and prizes. At Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim From 7.30 pm onwards +91 832 222 6292 Grand Roast Turkey Brunch Entertainment and Karoake by Emmanual At The Park, calangute 8 pm onwards. +91 8805028194 Wine & Dine... Sparkle & Shine An evening of filled with Music, Fun and Dance. Gala dinner with food from around the world and unlimited Premium Liquor. Special Entertainment show for your kids . At Resort Rio, Arpora +91 832 2267302 White Christmas The Blitz Kings presents this Christmas Ball with Goa’s top bands in attendance such as The Big City Band, LYns & Alcatrazz. Also, a sumptuous dinner buffet prizes & surprises. At The Emerald Lawns, Parra. 9:00pm onw. 9822131055
Every Saturday
The HQ Christmas Sweet Treats Add some Christmas cheers to your celebrations with Traditional Christmas fruit cake, Fruit Loafs, Pudim de Mel, Cookies and Tarts! Festive desserts to get everyone in the spirit of x’mas At The HQ, Swatantra Path, Vasco +91 7709003237
Vivanta by Taj Put the X-factor into X’mas. Woo the unexpected with a vengence. Experience Vivanta Motifs- tastefully curated must-dos and must-sees. Also indulge in a Christmas Eve Gala Dinner and a Special Christmas Eve Gala Dinner and s Special Christmas Brunch with select bars at Latitude and get serenaded live. Go on, do the twist. Off D. B. Bandodkar Road, Panaji T. +91 832 6633636 Emai: vivanta.panaji@tajhotels.com
Brunches Every Sunday Sunday Brunch It’s a different brunch every Sunday! If it’s an Italian theme one Sunday replete with homemade pasta and hand tossed pizzas, then it is comfort Indian the next with kebabs, charcoal grills, tandoor, appams and stews. Yet another Sunday it is Mediterranean mezze, then expect international street food like burgers and Bangkok grills the next! With a free flow of premium Indian wines, French champagne, Australian wines, imported spirits and beers, for all you can nibble and guzzle! At Waterfront Terrace & Bar, Goa Marriott Resort & Spa. 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm +91-832-246-3333
Dec 31
NEW YEAR’S EVE Welcome to theatre of dreams and they will transport you to a bygone era where cirque & magic rules the world. A whimsical & captivating evening with abundance of performance, different acts, fire shows, singers, musicians, DJ, etc. There are no boundaries to this night and the inspiring artistry will have you craving for more. At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim 9 pm +91 832 3011510
Jan 1
New Year’s Day Brunch If you want to continue celebrating after an exciting New Year’s Eve, enjoy a special brunch over an exquisite spread of five cuisines. At The Dining Room, Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim 1 pm to 4 pm +91 832 3011510
Dec. 24th & Dec 25th
The Grand Christmas Feast! Stuffed Turkey, Suckling Pig, Unlimited Drinks at Cheenos, Baga River Bridge, Baga. 8pm onwards +91 8806564991
Every Tuesday
Goan Market Nights Experience authentic Goan dining in a vibrant market scenario with dancers showing off their traditional moves and local artisans displaying their talent in the form of lovely handicrafts and pottery. Rs 1500++ per person At Alila Diwa Goa, Majorda +91 832 2746800
Every Thursday
Christmas Delights at Goa Marriott On Dec 24 Christmas Eve Gala Dinner On Dec 25 Grand Roast Turkey Brunch (Cake Shop) Hampers (Gold/silver/platinum) Confectionery, breads & Wines At Goa Marriott, Panjim +91 832 2463333
Dine In The Dark At Spice Studio Give your eyes a break while your other senses lead the way to a rather special dining experience. Enjoy an Indian thali in the dark at the award winning specialty restaurant, Spice Studio. PRICE: INR 900++ (food only) At Alila Diwa Goa, Majorda 7.30 pm Onwards +91 832 2746800
Christmas Goodies at Grand Mercure - Goa Shrem Resort This Christmas don’t wait for santa, be one. Take way Some Christmas Goodies Make your loved once feel special this Christmas with exciting goodies handcrafted by Chefs. From cakes that melt in your mouth to cookies that make you want to gobble. At Grand Mercure, Candolim +91 832 2494848
Thursday - Seafood Night Market For a ‘Grand Goan Night Market’ ambience with artefacts, jewellery and handicraft stalls. Select from a variety of seafood delicacies and enjoy the unlimited fresh catch of the day, combined with live entertainment. At The Dining Room, Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim 7 pm to 11:30 pm +91 832 3011510
Barbeque Nights - With Caroline Treat yourself to assorted grilled delights from the live barbeque and more while losing yourself in the melodies of Caroline’s saxophone. Rs 1500++ per person At Alila Diwa Goa, Majorda +91 832 2746800
Sunday Brunches@ 899/head Burger Pizzas Beer Salads Cocktails Desserts House – Spirits Beverages At Cheenos, Baga 12 pm to 4 pm. +91 8806564991 Champagne Brunch Begin your brunch with lobster and Champagne, then proceed towards five interactive kitchens – the salad counter, Indian, Italian, Grills and end at the dessert station. Pool is accessible to brunch guests, while your little ones enjoy various activities at Camp Hyatt. At The Dining Room, Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim 1 pm to 4 Pm +91 832 3011510 Brunch at Cantina Bodega This is one of the more interesting spots in town to have a meal. Under the supervision of Vandana Naik, a former top chef in New York City and easily one of Goa’s most notable culinary experts, there’s a wide variety of delights on offer, including pizzas, soups, salads, hummus and meat balls, plus an eclectic mix of Indian, Mediterranean and other world cuisines. That’s not to mention the desserts, another top draw here. Noon to 4 pm At Cantina Bodega, Sunaparanta, Panjim. +91 832 2421315 Bikini Brunch Sunday BBQ Brunch @ Rs. 950 ++ with unlimited drinks Enjoy Live Karaoke with Emmanuel At The Park, Calangute 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. +91 8805028194
Baga, Calangute and Around
Aquamarine Bistro & Bar Indian, Goan, Continental Perhaps the top draw is the riverside location. Good place for golden fried prawns and a nice sunset view over the river. 7 am to 10.30 pm At Baga Land’s End, Baga +91 832 2276084/2275482 Le Poisson Rouge Local fish cooked a la French Style, with a slight touch of Goa; delicious fusion cuisine France, Seafood Opp. Baga Bridge, Baga 7 pm to 11pm +91 9823850276/ +91 832 3245800 Lila Cafe German think schnitzel, chicken liver pate and German sausages. Lovely tent-like setting At Baga Creek Road, Arpora Baga +91 832 2279843
Anjuna and Around Mamma Mia Ristorante Italiano & Pizzeria An authentic Italian Restaurant Try Wood fried Pizza At Resort Rio, Tambudki, Arpora +91 832 2267300
Mama’s Corner Chinese, Continental, Indian, Goan With a touch of Mama’s Love At Bay view Apts, Siolim +91 832 2270918/ +91 9223251259 Cotinga at the Tamarind Chinese, Indian, Italian Fresh and delicious is always in season at the Tamarind. At Kumar Vaddo, Opp. St Michael Church, Anjuna 10 am to 11.30 pm +91 832 2274319 Teso Waterfront Mediterranean, Italian, Goan A true treasure, Discover luxurious laid back living, here at Teso, a place infused with exciting influences of the Mediterranean. At Vaddy Siolim 11 am to 11 pm +91 832 2270091/92
Candolim
Café Chocolatti A coffee shop Good place for light fare and assorted sweet goodies At Fort Aguada road, Candolim 9 am to 7 pm +91 832 2479340/ +91 9326112006 House of Lloyds Continental, seafood, and hearty Goan cuisine. The restaurant recommends you go for the Goan roast pork, apple salad with tender greens, crispy sardines, stuffed crab and steaks. At Saipem Road, Candolim 7 pm to 3 am. +91 9823032273 Acacia Luxury Hotel Masala Art Authentic & Contemporary Indian Cuisine Lobby Level Specialty Restaurant At H.No586/a, Sequeira Vaddo, Candolim +91 832 6714777/+91 832 2489361
Panjim & Around
Caramel Restaurant Bakery, Confectionary, Homemade ice creams, Souvenir & Patisserie Where the action is in the live stations. Smell the coffee and freshly baked bread. 10 am to 10 pm At Vivanta by Taj, Panjim +91 832 663 3636 SIMPLY GRILLS Your favourite outdoor restaurant serving up sizzling grills and barbeques is an interactive experience where you can take your pick, or simply place yourself in the hands of our accomplished chefs. Choose from fresh seafood like snapper and lobster, premium meats like pork, tenderloin and German sausages or even seasonal vegetables; mix and match with marinades like BBQ, pepper sauce, Cajun spices, and accompaniments like exotic veggies, mashed potatoes or salad. A meal made to order with a view to die for! At Simply Grills, Goa Marriott Resort & Spa. 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm +91-832-2463333 CONFEITARIA, Grand Hyatt Goa Our patisserie serves homemade delicacies like bakeries, pastries, chocolates & desserts. Also take away a souvenir of your trip or order a designer cake for a memorable occasion. We are popular for our Indian, English or Cupcake high teas. Christmas hampers will be available for sale from 7 December 2014. At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim Dinner: 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM +91 832 3011510
Palms n Sands: With a view so mesmerising that the only thing that will compete for your attention is the food. Located bang on the shores of Arabian Sea, Palms n Sands has been catering a stupendous blend of Goan, North Indian and Continental cuisines along with refreshing cocktails since 1989. Dando, Candolim Beach, Bardez – Goa (T) 0832-2479171 (M) 9822149629
Republic Of Noodles Republic of Noodles, the panAsian award winning restaurant, showcases the best of popular food from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia and Myanmar in a stylish and contemporary ambience that is both welcoming and sophisticated, making dining here a truly pleasurable experience. At Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort, Goa 11:30 am to 3 pm &7 pm to 11 pm +91 832 3988188, +91 832 3912006 Black sheep Bistro The Black Sheep Bistro is Goa’s first casual fine dining concept restaurant Located in the heart of Panjim City At Swami Vivekananda Road, Next to icici Bank, Panjim 7 pm to 1 am +91 832 2222901 Bay View Lounge, Grand Hyatt Goa Goa’s most central meeting point + WiFi zone which turns into a cozy Wine Table by evening, with a selection of wines, free snacks and Wi-Fi. Wine Table: 6 pm – 11pm At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim 8 am – 11 pm +91 832 3011510
Margao & Around Ruta’s World Café Breakfast, Lunch, Coffee Located on a quiet side street right by the City’s Latin Quarter, a world away from the maddening crowds. At Dr Miranda Rd, Behind Nanutel, Margao. From 9 am to 6 pm +91 832 2710757 The HQ Restaurant A pulsating business hotel in Goa which is located most conveniently in the heart of Vasco-Da-Gama city. At Swatantra Path, Vasco +91 832 2500015 A Tartaruga Goan, Seafood, Italian, Chinese, The restaurant opens onto the Coco-delMar lawns overlooking the beach ahead making it the perfect location for your tropical dining experience. At Longuinhos Beach Resort, Colva Beach Salcett +91 832 2788068
Canacona Big Fish Restaurant & Bar North Indian, Chinese, Italian, European Try out the bruschetta, the open-sandwichstyle bread with all kinds of different toppings, or the Marguerite Pizza, the Foccacia and, of course, the pastas. At Palolem beach, Canacona 8am to 11 pm +91 9418097133, +91 9904312298
Food & Drink 11
Friday, December 19, 2014
Around the world in Candolim
Clematis at its best
By Shubham Gupta
Y
es, The Clematis is located right in the middle of the busy beach belt of Candolim. But you might be surprised at the complete serenity of the poolside restaurant called AquaMarine. With mouth watering seafood, a mesmerising view and an apt setting for a romantic evening, the silence gets swayed away by melodious live music, igniting the romance even more. And it’s not just seafood. The varied cuisine here takes one on a culinary expedition that is highly noteworthy, even in this food-loving state with so many options. The menu spans East and West, treating your taste buds to a
By Armando Gonsalves
W
e are in the last three weeks before the Taste of Goa Festival takes off in the heart of Panjim, and the best thing that is coming out of this whole exercise is the camaraderie and togetherness that is oozing out of so many wonderful players who are heaven bent in making this a grand success. It is not just about food, it is not just about music, it is not just about art. It is about Goa and what we stand for. A press conference at the Taj Vivanta on the 17th December brought together a group of wonderful people who came forward to convey their joy in creating something to be proud of. At the heart of the matter is the idea that change requires working together as one. The line up included a cross section of highly successful and committed people, with Sanjeev Sardessai detailing how tourism has gone wrong, and what steps we have to take in order to bring art, culture, music, heritage, food and
delicious world tour. Let’s start with the soups. As you sip the Tom Yum chicken soup, with basil, lemongrass, sweet chilli and coconut milk, it’ll bring you right to the islands of Thailand. You can also grasp the taste of China and Taiwan in the coriander and lime soup that’ll ready your palate for an exciting multi-ethnic treat to come. For starters, check out the Chinese crispy chicken served on a bed of crunchy vegetables and subtly flavoured sweet chilly and garlic sauce. Moving on to the Mediterranean shores, dive into the tasty eggplant fitters topped with cheese. The east-west combination works seamlessly, the flavours fairly balanced to keep your taste buds ‘high’. For all you pasta buffs, the poolside restaurant at Clematis will blow your mind with the penne pasta in a delightful pesto sauce. The perfectly toasted garlic breads served alongside is just a bonus. When it comes to the main course of this culinary trip, it’s not
the other subtler things to the fore. Noted restaurateur Keshav Nadkarni talked about the need to create a food revolution that will bring the best of Goan and world cooking to the front pages.
just the globe you’ll be trotting, but India as well. For instance, the Bengali fish curry is easily one of the finest fish dishes available in Goa. Smeared in freshly ground brown mustard seeds and turmeric, cooked in mustard oil and traditional Bengali spices and served on a bed of rice, the Bengali fish curry will take you to the mangroves of the Sundarbans. In fact, if you’ve ever been to Bengal yourself, as soon as the platter is served, you’ll start to feel Bengal all over again. How can we ignore the north? One of the best Delhi/Punjabi delicacies, butter chicken with butter naan, was among the finest I have tasted in Goa. With the music in the background (mostly Bollywood Electronic Dance), one is sure to be in the mood for some cocktails to accompany the culinary experience. The bar at Aquamarine is replete Soon after we stood in silence for the mindless killing of children in Pakistan, Aditya Bal (actor and model turned TV Celebrity Chef) talked of what Goa has meant to him and about the sheer beauty and spirit of our land. He argued that the best tourism will head to Goa when we unveil the red carpet to connoisseurs of higher and subtler living, and what better way to do it than via food & music? Two Goan legends, Francisco Martins & Bondo Fernandes were also present, and it was so pleasing to see them reminisce about the Good ole Goan days of yore, and how that should be the fulcrum on which future tourism is
Aditya Bal NDTV’s Chef, addressing the press. Also seen in the pic Armando Gonsalves
with world-class cocktails like the Blue Margarita, the Gimlet, Whiskey Sour and many other refreshing delights to get high on. The best part is that the property is just a short walk to the Candolim beach, so after having satiated yourself with so much goodness, a romantic walk on the beach with your sweetheart could be just the perfect ending (after dessert, of course!).
hinged to. When artists like Fanquito & Bondo get together, it is sheer music to the eyes so to speak, and it excited us all to see the passion with which they were conjuring up concepts that will enliven the Taste of Goa Festival! Vasquito Alvares and Ryan Semilhago, both exciting Chefs that Goa is so proud of, discussed how Goan food has attracted people from across the world. But there’s much more to be done. Why can’t one of our very own dishes such as the “Ambott Tik” or “Xacuti” or something completely new, become a world beater across New York, London, Tokyo and other cities? The energy is palpable, and it is evident to me that people are eager for dramatic change. It is about going back to our core. It is about regaining the lost Goa via our art, music, food, culture, heritage and more. Once we do that, the best of the world will keep coming for more. Five British chefs, Dr Cyrus Todiwala, Paul Cunningham, John Feeney, Sarah Hartnett and Colin Bussey; 4 British musicians, Domenico Angarano, Joost Hendrickx, Al Macsween and Guilano Modarelli are coming in with that hope & zeal to work alongside countless other chefs and musicians, to make that dream that we all share come true, that of going deep into our Goanness to come out with the true and authentic “Taste of Goa” in every sense of these words!
Give Back 13
Friday, December 19, 2014
The True Meaning of Christmas By Crespo D’Souza
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here’s something about Christmas that brings out the best in us, but at this time of year, it’s worth asking: Why only now? Be it visiting the elderly in homes for the aged - singing carols to those in their twilight years - or clearing out our closets and donating the contents to church-run children’s homes, charity is as much a part of a Goan Christmas as Midnight Mass and presents under the tree. But true charity lasts more than a day or even a season, and the challenge for our society is to enrich the spirit of Christmas giving so that it happens throughout the year and so that definitions of charity are broadened to reflect true need. “I think the best Christmas gift that one can give the AIDS patients is acceptance in society. Even though we today consider our Goan society modern and forward thinking compared to the rest of India, we are very narrow minded in many ways,” says Peter Borges, who runs the NGO Positive People, the state’s first NGO dealing with children and adults living with HIV and AIDS. This Christmas, it’s worth recalling that it wasn’t long ago when our state suffered the shame of having a group of HIV-infected students shunted from school to school because of opposition from parents who didn’t want their own kids anywhere near them. “Patients with AIDS still face discrimination, even in government run health units like primary health centres, which treat them differently than they would a patient who didn’t have the infection,” Borges said. Between 1987 and September of this year, the total number of HIV+ cases reported in Goa was 15,574, according to official figures. AIDS deaths between January and August 2014 totalled 1,040 in the state, a figure that makes it clear that much more work needs to be done to make the life-saving AIDS “cocktail” available to more patients. Nowadays, being HIV positive does not have to constitute a death sentence, given the available treatments. Another hugely vulnerable section
are children from disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom are exploited for child labour and are subject to neglect and abuse. What about THEIR Christmas? Will Santa have a gift for them? “There are a lot of children either found on the coastal belt tagging alongside adults or found at construction sites. The best gift we can give them is to ensure that they are integrated in the education system,” said Suzana de Souza, coordinator of Childline, a governmentsponsored NGO running a 24-hour distress helpline for at risk children. Check them out at www.
childlineindia.org.in. “Keeping children out of school is a crime. It is every child’s right to be integrated in the mainstream of education. Rather than giving them gifts in kind or in cash, let us ensure that they go to school. Children who go to school are 90% less likely to face abuse than those who don’t,” she said. Another vulnerable group are drug addicts. While we can debate the responsibility they hold for their own situation, it’s also undeniable that they are human beings in need of help. Often abandoned by their families, they are susceptible to AIDS and hepatitis and have little or no access to reliable diagnoses. “While most persons generally look towards the government for setting up a testing lab, nothing stops a private player from doing so,” Peter Borges says. As of now in Goa, only the preliminary test for Hepatitis C is available. The
confirmatory test is not available. Positive People has found that as many of 40% of injecting drug users turned up positive for hepatitis C in the preliminary test, though it wasn’t possible to follow up with a confirmation. “Setting up a facility in the state will go a long way in eradicating the disease,” Borges said. It’s not known exactly how many people in Goa have hepatitis C, but it is known that the cost of treating the virus can run more than 95 lakh rupees over a two-year period. That expense is not covered by any government scheme. No wonder it’s proving fatal for a large percentage of those who have it. If we are ready to open our hearts and wallets, Positive People as well as other NGOs working with these groups can be contacted. (Visit www.positivepeople.in for more information). Cancer patients, too, at a home run by the Shanti Avedna Trust at Loutolim see a lot of people visiting during Christmas, either singing carols or offering gifts and cash. The home, one of three in the country (the others are in Mumbai and Delhi), is run exclusively for terminally ill cancer patients who spend the last weeks of their lives at these homes, often on doses of morphine to help bear the pain. The homes are financed entirely by donations from the public, as well as businesses. “If there is a hope that your cancer can be cured, we will refer you to an appropriate cancer hospital,” said Dr L J de Souza, one of the trust’s directors. You can learn more about the trust and their work at www. shantiavednasadan.in. There is no lack of need and no shortage of causes and organizations where you can donate your time, money and energy to help others. And not just on Christmas.
16 Cover Story
How Goa blends old traditions and new trends to create a unique celebration
By Dielle D’Souza
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oft crunchy snow blankets the village, with spires of smoke snaking their way out of chimney stacks. Warm lights set wooden log houses aglow and a bright star shines in the sky. The perfect Christmas setting. And one that’s as foreign to Goa as the pine-studded Alps. Still, Goa’s Christmas traditions are among the oldest and richest to be found anywhere in the East. Despite our heavily western influences – including a certain heavy-set bearded man dressed in red – Goa celebrates a rather unique Christmas. It’s a mélange of East and West, borrowing easily adaptable traditions of the Portuguese settlers and flavouring them with a local twist. Christmas might be observed on just one day, but the party begins long before. In the absence of any earthshattering tectonic changes, Goa will never experience snow. And despite the ominous signs of climate change (rain in December!), there’s still a good nip in the air early in the morning. A walk through the fields reveals low-hanging mist thick with vapour, the ideal setting for emerging nativity scenes. This last week of Advent, a time of preparation for the Nativity, is an
annual ebb and flow to the grocery store and back for ingredients, to the store room and back for decorations, to the city and back for gifts, to the tailor and back for outfits. Christmas signals a time for family, a time when most relatives who live and work abroad return for two weeks of merriment. Grandma usually rounds up everyone, delegating tasks furiously and letting the incompetent suffer her wrath. The holy grail of Goan Christmas is not lunch on the day, but the ‘kuswad’ that is sent off to neighbours and relatives. This napkin-covered tray filled with traditional Christmas delicacies is the bar by which every home’s propensity for cooking is measured. There will be much whispering about how Santana Maria is losing her touch with bebinca, or whether the new Coutinho daughter-inlaw is indeed a good cook.* Neighbours and relatives will also ensure that an extra helping is sent to families who lost a loved one in the past year as they generally avoid celebrations of any kind. Deeper pockets, busier schedules and lazier bones encourage many to head to bakeries and confectioneries, where a wide variety of hampers are available. Stores like A Pastelaria and Mr Baker in Panjim, Felicidade stores in Mapusa and Marliz in Margao are filled with jostling customers. Many have preferred home bakers who specialise
in certain sweets. Christmas in Goa would not be the same without kulkuls, neuris, gram doce, pinagr, baath cake, dodol, bebinca and bolinhas. Some even make the rum-infused mixed fruit cake so omnipresent in the western world. The preparation of sweets is complemented by decorating homes with pretty lights, making a star out of bamboo and kite paper, and recreating the Nativity scene. A casuarina tree – which bears the closest resemblance to a Christmas conifer – is usually decorated with lights, shiny silver and gold tinsel and colourful baubles. Some alternatively decorate their favourite tree in their yard. South Goa’s beach belt offers some of the most stunning crib displays in Goa, created from scratch by different vaddos. The depictions vary from traditional scenes to environmentfriendly themes or other social messages. These activities are often not confined by religious beliefs and are a shining example of harmony in the state. Many simply hop to the nearest store or crammed market to buy readymade paper stars and Christmas trees. A few days before the festival, parties are held for little children, with games, sweets and gifts. While villages see children frolicking around church
yards, many city youngsters head to five-star hotels such as Benaulim’s Taj Exotica or Panjim’s Cidade de Goa, which was one of the first in the state to host children’s Christmas parties. It is at all of these that Santa routinely makes an appearance before Christmas, which thankfully most little ones fail to question. Practising Catholics also take some time out to confess their sins to a priest, the queues inside churches standing testimony to its continued religious significance. Fashion designers and tailors usually find this their busiest time of the year, what with the clash of the most popular wedding season of the year and Christmas. It is now time to make last-minute adjustments or squeeze in a panic-stricken customer. The alternative option to pick prêt-a-porter exists aplenty and those brave enough to buy online without having to try for fit discover vast retail spaces with extremely competitive rates. Groups of carollers walk around neighbourhoods singing familiar festive music, and listeners generally put a small donation into a box they carry. Churches often organise carolling on a larger scale with a tempo, loudspeakers, streamers and sweets for little children who might come outdoors to listen. The final drama around Christmas begins with preparations before midnight mass. While many churches in places like Mumbai have advanced timings to around 8pm, Goa still stays awake to begin the Eucharistic celebration at the
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18 Cover Story
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stroke of midnight. Families take up a better part of the evening to get dressed, fix bows on sleeping children and sneak presents under the tree. Some churches, such as Don Bosco’s Shrine in Panjim, appear to be more favoured than others for midnight mass – whether for the choir, the sermon or the increased chance of meeting friends afterwards. Services at all places are filled both with fervent worshippers and fidgety distracted folk peeking over shoulders to people watch. As the faithful file out after mass, cake and coffee is distributed, and the little children rush home to savagely unpack all the gifts under the tree. Those who have long debunked the Santa myth head off to Christmas balls instead. Top bands are booked months in advance to play at popular shindigs, which are generally so packed that revellers are hardly able to dance. Still, they are revered as the best meet-and-greet spots, wiping out any chance of complaints by acquaintances eager to have an annual two-bit chat. Emerald Lawns in Parra, Kesarval in Verna and more recently Quinta de Valadares also in Verna, offer the best chances of meeting pretty much everyone you have ever known in Goa. The following day, while the youngsters catch up on sleep, the older folk get started on the lavish Christmas lunch that will be the highlight of the afternoon. It’s customary to round up the nearest squealing piglet for a roast leitão that will command centre stage on the dining table. Surrounding it will be the very best of Goan delights – from pork sorpotel to beef roulade, fish with mayonnaise to chicken cafreal. Vegetarians might find it hard to fill their plates at one of these typical lunches. Perhaps peas’ pulao with some hastily cut fresh salad? Western Christmas traditions have also filtered into Goa and it’s not uncommon to see a large stuffed bird on the table instead. Turkeys and chickens are roasted at home, or are brought in dressed, glazed and ready-to-go from the supermarket. Some families, who would rather spend time relaxing together instead of slaving together in the kitchen, waltz into the nearest
luxury hotel for a full-course meal on Christmas day. There is always the guarantee that the house bar will be opened up, and the malts, fenis and wines that have been maturing through the year slide effortlessly all the way down the hatchet. After the belly-aching but extremely satisfying Christmas lunch and much-needed snooze, the party animals find their way to packed nightclubs of the likes of Marbela Beach Resort or Cafe Lilliput in north Goa or Gigi’s in the south where they party away the rest of the festival. In the coming days, those with inclination – and tickets – head for the nearest tiatr performance. Kala Academy and Ravindra Bhavan usually host a number of performances through the season. Like it is elsewhere, Christmas in Goa is all
about spending time with family and catching up with loved ones. And while many places have sold their souls to commercialisation, Goa still manages to easily mix its hedonistic temptations with spirituality. Come December 25, there will be tables heaving with food, the clatter of drinking glasses and shouts of children. Families will gather and warm greetings will be exchanged. There will be a prayer before meal time and donations to the poor, discussions on politics and football, and leftovers for days to come. The party that started well before will continue until long after. The perfect Goan Christmas setting. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good time! (*References to any person, dead or alive, are purely incidental)
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Friday, December 19, 2014
Great Goan Experiences Canopy Eco – Tours Offers a wide variety of experiences including nature-treks, butterfly tours, dragonfly and damselfly tours, plus boat safaris on the Zuari River as well as their original unique birding tour. At Housing Board Colony, Margao +91 9764261711, +91 9764052225 Goa Butterfly Park & Conservatory A small park on a hill that’s a great place to spot stunningly beautiful butterflies. Near Tropical Spice Plantation, Ponda +91 832 2985174, +91 9822125474 The Bushmasters Owner Rahul Alvares is one of our state’s most experienced snake rescuers. Snake Watch programmes costs Rs. 1600 per person inclusive of transport and breakfast. At Almeida Vaddo, Parra 6.30 am to 9.30 am +91 9881961071
Water sports Champion’s Yacht Club Unlimited fun on water. Drive exciting luxury cruise boats and enjoy other rides. At Mayam Lake, Bicholim +91 832 6517080 www.championsyachtclub.com Water Splash Cruises A large fleet of Catamarans, Boats, and Cruisers & Yachts: take to the water, the sea, the sky. At Models Status, Dona Paula www.watersplashcruises.com +91 8888864347
Sea Wave Water Sports Enjoy parasailing, boat rides, banana rides, bump rides, jet skiing, water skiing, dolphin trips and more. At Calangute +91 832 2276362 Aqua Sports India Fishing, Motor Boat Rides, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Water Scooter Rides At 5th Floor, Nizari Bhavan, Menezes Braganza Road, Panaji +91 832 2231215, +91 832 2426967 Goan Banana’s Water sports Backwater Crocodile Cruise, Banana Rides, Boat Rides, Bumper Rides, Dolphin Cruise, Fishing, Parasailing, Water Skiing Special Feature Opposite Hacienda Hotel, Baga Road, Calangute, Goa +91 832-2276362
Tiracol Fort The fort was originally built by Maharaja Khem Sawant Bhonsle, the Raja of Sawantwadi, in the 17th century. Now, in a state of ruins, Fort Tiracol has been converted into a luxury hotel, the Fort Tiracol Heritage. Well worth a visit At Tiracol, Keri
Dec 22
Cabo de Rama Fort Interesting fort named after Lord Rama. Inside the fort, check out the church of Santo Antonio, still used by devotees. At Cola Beach
Nov 22 to Jan 4
Chapora Fort One of the most loved forts of Goa, it was built in place of an older fort on the same location after the MarathaPortuguese war. At Vagator
Notable Forts
Dec 12 Onwards
Aguada Fort Fort Aguada and its lighthouse is a well-preserved seventeenth-century Portuguese fort Daily 10 am to 5.30 pm At Candolim Reis Magos Fort This Fort, surrounded by sturdy laterite walls studded with typically Portuguese turrets, was erected in 1551 to protect the narrowest point at the mouth of the Mandovi estuary. The fort stands on the north bank of the Mandovi River at Reis Magos, and is visible from the Panjim side of the Mandovi River. At Verem 10.30 am to 5.30 pm +91 832 2410711/ +91 832 2410715
Scaravelli Inspired Yoga with Rupert Johnson Every Mon/Wed/Fri Drop in rs.500/At Shala 142, Assagao 8.30 am to 10am +91 9821138131
Dec 19 The Sunaparanta Annual Lecture By William Dalrymple The lecture will focus on the history of the ancient Ajanta cave murals and their representative value as “The birth of Indian Painting”. At Sunaparanta, Panjim 7 pm +91 832 2421311
Steven Gutkin, the venture’s chief mentor, is an award-winning journalist who has reported from some two dozen countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas. An international newsman for 25 years, Steven served as Bureau Chief with the Associated Press, the world’s largest news gathering organization, in Israel and Venezuela, as well as AP’s Chief of Southeast Asia Services in Singapore and Indonesia, and Senior Editor in the US. Steven covered the rise and fall of the Medellin and Cali cocaine cartels, rode into Kabul with a triumphant Northern Alliance and directed coverage of wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza and Lebanon. The Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar was caught because he lingered on the phone with his son to answer Steven’s questions, and the cops traced the call. Steven covered the killing of Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Mexico, the death of Yasser Arafat, a coup in Fiji and the rise to power of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. He also led AP's coverage of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Steven has also worked for the New York Times, the Washington Post, Newsweek and CBS Radio. Marisha Dutt, Publisher and Editor of Goa Streets, is a former Marketing and Advertising Manager with The Wall Street Journal in Singapore. She took a break from work to raise her two boys in Indonesia, Israel and the United States. She has a Masters Degree in Marketing from The University of Strathclyde in the UK and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations. She was born in Assam, India and spent her early years on a tea plantation overlooking a pristine wildlife sanctuary. When she was 10, she and her family moved to Calcutta, where Marisha had the privilege of working alongside Mother Teresa. Later the family moved to Goa. Marisha and Steven were married 11 years ago on the Candolim beach.
Artisan’s x’mas Fair Designer Clothing & Jewellery, Leather goods, Accessories and more...unique x’mas Gifts. Live Jam Session At Artjuna, Anjuna 3 pm to 10 pm. +91 9822686640
Exposition of St. Francis Xavier This is the decennial exposition of the sacred relics of Goa`s patron saint, St Francis Xavier. See the Cover Story in this edition of Goa Streets. At Se Cathedral, Old Goa
Dec 18, 20 Events at Carpe Diem Christmas Bazaar on the 20th of December 2014! For those of you interested in displaying for products, call or email to book your stall! And art exhibition by veteran artists until the 18th of December. The gallery is open every day from 10 am to 7 pm. At Carpe Diem, Majorda +91 832-2881035/ 8888862462 Every Friday - Wellness Day and Sundowners Unwind and relax at “Shamana Spa”, spend your day indulging in yoga, meditation or get your own health package customized by trainers, or just pamper yourself with popular Balinese massage. Follow this up with a laidback evening with a special menu of frozen margaritas, as you soak in the sunset at Capiz Bar. At Shamana Spa and Capiz Bar, Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim 8:00 am – Sundown
Every Monday - Go Fish Go out fishing with local fishermen, bring back your catch and ask our chefs to cook it to your liking. At Grand Hyatt Goa, Bambolim +91 832 301 1234
Supermarkets in Goa Big G Big G has eight levels of exclusive shopping with a restaurant, supermarket and the best of brands of various items to boot. Margao, Salcete +91 832 2702995 Maple Leaf Supermarket Maple Leaf Supermarket is a selfservice grocery store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments. Porvorim, Bardez +91 832 6454099 Magsons Supermarket Hopping off and Shopping On! Caranzalem +91 832 2464704 Porvorim +91 7507807004 Newton’s Supermarket Major District Road, Candolim +91 832 2489056 Delfinos Supermarket Delfinos HyMart has something for everyone—the widest range of items manufactured locally, in the country and imported. Candolim. +91 832-2489972 / 73 Borkar Supermarket Lake Plaza Building, Margao +91 832 2743680/ 2743699
Shubham Gupta aka Shubhs, Content and Marketing Coordinator, is a 22 year old guy from Gurgaon. Being a foodie, music lover, and an avid appreciator of art, Shubhs has been previously associated with Times of India, Dentsu Digital, Channel V and AIESEC. Hippie at heart, Shubham loves to trek & travel to exotic destinations. In his meantime, he enjoys international cinema, singing, strumming the guitar, writing poetry and reading. With his knack in creative writing and passion for photography, he manages both visual and written content along with marketing operations. Radhika Naik, Marketing Executive. A Mapusa resident, Radhika enjoys siestas and, when awake, spending time with family. She was always a big fan of the news and is thrilled to be part of that world today. Music with a slow tempo is her favourite playlist. Nilesh Shetgaonkar, Administrative Assistant, is a happy-go-lucky Morjim native who prides himself on living life to the fullest. He spent seven years in Dubai and loves football, cricket and trivia. Krishna S. Halankar, An integral member of the distribution and collection team, Krishna enjoys music, driving and to everyone’s surprise likes to shake a leg, too. When asked about his favourite drive, he says nothing beats the good ol’ drive from Goa to Mumbai. Vijay Gadekar, Distribution Team. Aside from being very handy in all things mechanical, Vijay is a big fan of football with an equal passion for quality beach time. Correspondents/Writers: Ethel Da Costa, Sheela Jaywant, Charlane Pereira e Rebello, Bina Datwani, Karan Bhagat, Perin Ilavia, Dielle D’Souza, Aparna Raut Desai, Anzil Fernandes, Crespo D’Souza, Sanket Sharma.
Christmas Cheer at Goa Marriott Resort & Spa!
20 Your Party Destination This Festive Season
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lub Nyéx, located at Anjuna Cliff near the Anjuna Bus Stop, features 3 Party Levels and is already emerging as one of our state’s top clubs. The top floor is the Indoor Club, the second floor is the VIP Lounge with both indoor and outdoor spaces on the same level, and the third level is the Outdoor Lounge Deck with stage and has the biggest bar of all three levels. Each of the three levels has a 180 degree sea view from a breathtaking cliff. The club features state-of-the-art sound and lighting, with top-of-the-line LED lights from the DJ console on the roof. Highly recommended is the New Years Eve party starting at 10 pm, with a line-up of 6 DJs led by Timur Mamedov and Neyha Tolani. DJ Timur is the pioneer, founder and undisputed legend of Russia’s club and trance culture. He’s been playing the biggest parties in Goa since 1996. DJ Neyha, originating from Mumbai, spreads the sounds of deep house, tech house, techno and progressive. She has developed a style of fresh, experimental thumps and tunes that break away from commercial, over pitched beats. Having played at some of the best clubs across India and the world, she makes each night a journey full of surprises.
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he hotel has a plethora of offerings for the entire holiday season. The beautiful waterfront caressing the property shall resonate in the form of magnificent Santa Claus with his reindeer, right in the lobby of the resort! Step inside the hotel to rediscover sugar and spice, with myriad choices of the most scrumptious cakes, puddings, hampers and other goodies. The Cake Shop and AZ.U.R offer tantalizing festive indulgence, with Christmas delights such as the Marzipan Stollen, Dundee Cake, Chocolate Yule Log, Date Pudding and even a lip-smacking Chocolate Santa or Snowman! Relish delectable Cinnamon Star Cookies and Hand-rolled Chocolates amongst other treats! Pamper your loved ones with generously laden Platinum, Gold and Silver Gift hampers, replete with all that is characteristic of Christmas, including Wine, Plum Cake, Chocolates, Pudding, and lots more. Also partake in magnificently merry meals as you wish everyone a Feliz Natal with a Christmas Eve Gala Dinner on 24th December, and a Grand Christmas Day Roast Turkey Brunch on 25th December.
Alila Diwa Goa ushers in the spirit of Christmas with an eco-friendly tree lighting ceremony
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lila Diwa Goa in its surprisingly different style has ushered in the Christmas spirit with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony held recently at its premises. This year, in an effort to make Christmas fun for the planet as well, the team at Alila decorated one of its natural trees as well as areas around the resort with decorations made from recycled materials. Children and guests cheered around a 'Spathodea' tree that stood tall in the main Courtyard as it came alive with sparkling lights while melodious carols by the children of Loyola High School, The Cotta Family and the resort's in-house team filled the air. Santa made his appearance on an icecream cart to the delight of kids and guests alike. He spent the rest of the evenings distributing sweets and wishing the guests with carols playing in the background. Platters of tasty bites and glasses of warm mulled wine did the rounds at the celebratory evening.
21 Friday, December 19, 2014
Pierre Legrand The Art of Breaking Convention By Perin Ilavia
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ierre Legrand is a French artist living in Auroville, the experimental City of Dawn in Tamil Nadu where pushing the limits of convention is a way of life. “When I started painting I thought I should change the world, create art that can change consciousness, make art which has power and physical being, so porous that it is absorbed by the people and gives them pleasure,” he says. His exhibition Simply Complex at Gallery Gitanjali is a “must see”. Born in Paris and an engineer by profession, he was unhappy with his vocation and so decided to travel the world, looking for something about which he had no idea. He didn’t find “it” anywhere, until he came to Auroville in 1967. His artistic journey began a year later, and by 1989 he had invented a script, where triangles, strokes, dots and lines represent each English letter. Letters were cut in translucent paper, and subsequently carved in wood and stone. Some variations of this script look
like cuneiform (wedge-shaped) letters simplified to resemble Braille dots. These appear throughout his work, in painting, sculpture and installations. Pierre exhibited extensively in Europe and India between 1989 and 2000, exploring space, transparency and porosity. His work has been featured alongside the American painter Mark Tobey and the American minimalist sculptor and video artist Richard Serra. My heart skipped a beat when I walked into the gallery. The kaleidoscopic colours and stunning black-and-white display of multitude forms stand out in the vocabulary of his coded script. It’s an effort to understand the mystery of being human from the cellular level, where the material and the spiritual impact each other to alter life and the environment. The language and symbolism engulf you as you study the paintings, accompanied by the soft, soothing strains of a piped-in violin recital. A German violinist in Auroville saw Pierre’s remarkable script and felt it looked like musical notes, got inspired by it and composed the music.
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At opp. Delfinos Super Market, Candolim, Bardez, Goa Prop: Vishwanath Hebbalkar +91 9049019085/ +91 9822587050
Bicholim, Goa M. +91 9822582331
Secret Garden Restaurant Colomb, Palolem/Patnem Road, Colomb Bay (Opp. Dalaras General Store) Nazir 98509 25668 Daily 8.30 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.
Arts & Entertainment 23
Friday, December 19, 2014
Dec 20 Art exhibition Yolanda's Studio presents the solo art exhibition of Rohit Bonsle, who won the 2013 Dr. Pedro Cabral Adao Awards. At Art Chamber, Gauravvaddo, Calangute 10 am to 6 pm +91 9823217435
Dec 21 to Dec 30 Aparant Maand, an exhibition on the handicrafts of Goa. Organised By the Handicraft Corporation At Craft Complex, Neuginagar, Panaji +91 832 2226153
Nov 13 to Jan 12, 2015 An Exhibition of Selected Paintings Angelo da Fonseca Retrospective Monday to Friday At Xavier Centre of Historical Research, Alto Porvorim 10 am to 5 pm +91 832 2417772/ +91 832 2414971
Dec 6 to Jan 25, 2015 Sensorium - Sunaparanta Goa Festival of Arts, Literature & Ideas. Anusha Yadav, Curator, Indian Memory Project - A People History. Dayanita Singh - Offset. Farrokh Chothia - Jazz. Fausto Giaccone- Macondo, The World of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Gopika Chowfla- Flesh. Jesus Clavero Rodrigues, Curator Photo Poetry, Octavio Paz in India. Regina Anzenberger, Curator Handmade Preferred. Sohrab Hura - Life is Elsewhere. Sooni Taraporewala- Screenplay to Screen At Sunaparanta - Goa Centre for the Arts, Panjim 10 am to 7 pm +91 832 2421311
Galleries of Note Off The Wall A collectible of deeply astounding works of art displayed on daily basis at this thoughtful art cafe. Fort Aguada Road, Sinquerim, Candolim 10:30 am to 11:30 pm +91 9820083497 | +91 9823289123 Panjim Art Gallery Get a dose of the local culture with figurative work of Goan artists. Near Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim 9:00 am to 8:00 pm +91 9822168703 Mario Art Gallery Discover the original paintings and other memorabilia of the great Goan artist/cartoonist Mario Miranda. Here you can buy “The Life of Mario”, as well as prints, mounted prints, frames, tiles, mugs, card sets and other books. ‘Houses of Goa’, Salvador-do-Mundo, Porvorim area 9:00 am to 5:30 pm +91 832 2410711
Gallery Gitanjali An elegant art gallery in Panjim’s Latin Quarter is worth hopping into when you’re in the area. Fontainhas, Panjim 9:00 am to 9:00 pm +91 9823572035 Art Chamber: Galleria de Belas Artes One of the more interesting and pleasant art centres in the state, featuring confident acrylic strokes that are somewhat three dimensional, put across the canvas by Yolanda De Souza and others. The musical acts here are worth looking out for. Gaura Vaddo, Calangute 10:00 am to 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm +91 832 2277144 | +91 9823217435 Moksa Art Gallery Here you will find some immensely conceptual paintings by Salvadoran Fernandez and others. Naik Waddo, Calangute 9:30 am to 8:30 pm +91 832 2281121 | +91 9326717386 Sunaparanta- Goa Centre for the Arts The centre houses several exhibition galleries, a large multi-functional space for workshops and lectures, an in-house film club, sketch club, open air amphitheatre, pottery studio and an open courtyard that houses the al fresco café, Bodega. The red velvet cupcakes at Bodega are a must try! At Altinho, Panjim 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. +91 832 2421311 Gallery Attic Goan talent has no saturation point. Experience a fine variety of paintings by local artists. Opposite Don Bosco, Alfran Plaza, Panjim 9:00 am to 1:00 pm 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm +91 832 2420929 | +91 832 2257931 Arte Douro Art Gallery For those who aren’t really into very serious art but still want to look out for interesting pieces of art, this place provides a mix bag of originals and prints from international and local talents. Porba Vaddo, Calangute 9:00 am to 9:00 pm +91 832 22882266 | +91 9822147148
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The idea of using flexible material as a base evolved when Pierre stayed with a family in Japan. They had a space for displaying art, which would be changed periodically and folded away. “One can tire of seeing the same painting on your wall. After a while you stop pausing and analyzing it, (so) a change rejuvenates senses.” Pierre found his calling, creating nonconformist works on porosity, light, transparency and lightness, inventing a language that could be accessible to all, exploring the eternal frontiers by poems his wife Anuradha Mazumdar writes, translated on 8X6 feet and smaller panels. How did converting poetry to art happen? “It just did. We have a dual connection and work as one. The different super-impositions attain spontaneous complexity that life offers, and the acceptance of it is ‘Simply Complex’, where the writing disappears and is not important.” Working on nylon mosquito net, the scroll-like structures with embellishments in fiberglass, pigments, fiber, wire mesh, and multihued images reflect influences of geometrical designs and ritualistic arrangements of Indian art. Paintings which can be viewed from both sides are translucent, allowing play of light and shadow. There is a must-see display of books molded in fiberglass with mesh-like design, with manuscripts written in Pierre’s personal vocabulary. His “book art” (art fashioned from
manipulating and embellishing actual books) features in ‘Odd Volumes’, a major collection of book art given to the Yale University Art Gallery by Allan Chasanoff. Approximately 100 works by more than 80 artists including Olafur Eliasson, Yoko Ono, and Dieter Roth, showcase a selection of experimental and innovative works of “book art” from the 1960s onwards. “The more baffled you are by complexities the more you try to understand life and matter. Yet along the way we understand and connect with the universe. This is what painting became for me. Not a way to ‘show’ something to people, but a way to experience life through colour transparence and light in its many layered complexity.” Pierre did not exhibit for 14 years, staying put in his space. But this year he has had five backto-back exhibitions. Pierre finds young Indian contemporary artists “very talented and sincere. It’s perplexing to see the living thriving forms evolving. I’m now 74, living in India for 46 years I’m almost an Indian, uh?” Anuradha recently edited ‘Light Matter / Atelier Pierre Legrand’, a record of his pathbreaking work exploring diverse inner territories crowded by outer conflicts. She has published several poems and fiction for young adults, plus choreographed dance performances with the Auroville Dance Lab, based on her poems. Theirs is a world of art and poetry, of thoughts energizing space, of breaking the boundaries of convention. Walk the maze and join the dots at Simply Complex. On exhibit till 2nd January at Gallery Gitanjali, Fontainhas., Panjim.
By Goa Streets
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fter the massacre of 145 people, including 132 school children, by the Pakistani Taliban at the Army Public School in Peshawar, voices could be heard in Goa calling for peace, love and understanding. Don’t add to the cycle of violence, these voices insisted. Fighting is never the way. Make no mistake. Mahatma Gandhi was right to stand up to the British with non-violence. Barack Obama is right to negotiate with Iran and establish diplomatic relations with Cuba. India and Pakistan would both be well advised to spend less on guns and more on schools. At some point, however, evil reaches a level at which all bets are off. Adolph Hitler. Pol Pot. Stalin. ISIS. The Pakistani Taliban. When you are dealing with murderous thugs, capable of lining up school children and shooting them point-blank in the head, talk of rehabilitating them or loving them or persuading them of anything is sheer foolishness. This evil cannot be wished or negotiated away. It has to be crushed. The alternative is more dead kids.
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at Picnic Plaza Hotel, Bella Vista - Sangolda Chogum Road, Sangolda 9373113205 / 0832-2414125, 3267033
Sameer Shack
Chinese, European, Goan, Indian, Italian, Seafood Basic Decor with thatched roof and sandy base At Palolem, Canacona 9 am to 11 pm +91 8422059215
Nr. Goa International Hotel, St. Inez, Tonca, Caranzalem Contact: Sona Mallick / Prasanta Mallick Mobile No.: 91 9975324690 / 08600551148 Landline No.: 0832 2461364 E-mail:mallickprasanta11@yahoo.com
An all new level of luxury in Sangolda: Horizons Casablanca
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iscovering new doorways to better living and unwrapping a whole new world of sophisticated lifestyle is what defines Goa’s fastest growing Luxury Real Estate Developer Horizon Land Developments Pvt Ltd. Lead by Mr. Jonathan Fernandes and backed by a team of young professionals and a skilled workforce, the company aims in providing a different hue to the construction canvas in Goa. Horizon Land Developments has now launched its latest Superluxury project at Sangolda North Goa, Horizons Casablanca promises to delight with its uniquely styled apartments, skillfully crafted from Mediterranean and Spanish designs. Well connected to the vibrant city of Panjim and the bustling nightlife of Calangute, Casablanca brings alive the quaint sleepy village of Sangolda with its modern amenities and chic lifestyle. Adopting environmental measures, Casablanca’s blueprint boasts of minimum tree-cutting and embraces a large landscape area, giving this haven the tropical touch. Backed by Horizon’s highest standards of workmanship, Casablanca offers myriad luxuries and essential services like 24 hours security, elevators, a swimming pool, common sit-outs and generator backup among many others. Horizon Land Developments has been scaling new heights, giving every attention to detail in providing fine living spaces. Casablanca is yet another venture that brings you the best from Horizon’s realty world and will give you every reason to redefine luxury…
Friday, December 19, 2014