Brighten your weekend with some dark humour

Some recommendations to enliven your weekend

DELHI

Art
Luxury on your table: Bespoke glass sculptures signed by artist Amanda Brisbane, dinner sets with 22 carat gold trimmings crafted by Germany-based Falken Porzellan, ceramic sets by William Edwards who has been commissioned in the past by the royalty of England and rare Portuguese antiques-- it is these and more that will be on display this weekend at the Lodhi Hotel in Delhi. These bespoke luxury brands are being brought to India by Interarts, an art consultancy and promoter of objet d’art.
Where: The Lodhi, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
When: July 5 and 6

Music
A tribute to Rafi: Pran Nevile, noted historian and founder of the ‘K L Saigal Memorial Circle’, pays a tribute to the legendary singer Mohammed Rafi through a concert of his most popular and soulful melodies.
Where: Epicentre, Apparel House, Sector 44, Gurgaon
When: July 8, 7:30 pm
Info: Entry free (seating on First-Come First-Served Basis)

  Theatre
A Shakespearean tragedy in Rajasthan: Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice dons an Indian avatar with The Films and Theatre Society’s Saudagar. The Indian adaptation, in which Portia transforms into Priyamwada and Bassanio into Basant, is set in 19th-century Mewar and features rustic music and light-hearted humour that is typical to Rajasthan.
Where: Epicentre, Apparel House, Sector 44, Gurgaon
When: July 5, 7 pm

Staging Manto: Miyan Biwi aur Manto, a Hindi play which will be staged during the Saksham Theatre Festival 2014, is a collection of five short stories  penned by Saadat Hassan Manto. One of the author’s early works, these stories showcase the comical side of the bitter-sweet relationship shared by a husband and his wife. The play gives you an insight into the daily challenges faced by a couple, and takes a lighter view of how they counter these problems. Their bickering, fights and everyday happenings are sure to be an audience’s delight.
Where: Akshara Theatre, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi
When: July 5-6, 7:30 pm
Info: Tickets priced at Rs 200-300


Woody Allen’s ‘Side effects’: Inspired by three of Hollywood director Woody Allen’s wittiest stories -- namely, The Lunatic's Tale, Retribution and Remembering Needleman, the Indian adaptation of the play featuring veteran actor Salim Shah and the promising Vishal Singh is sure to be a treat for all Woody Allen fans.
Where: Alliance Francaise, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
When: July 5-6, 7 pm
Info: Tickets priced at Rs 300-500

BANGALORE

Music
An evening with a legend: Jazz legend Ahmad Jamal, whose work has influenced the likes of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, will be performing in the city. Jamal, a child prodigy who began playing the piano when he was 3, formed his first trio in 1950, and it is the jazz piano trio format he is considered to have revolutionised and continues to explore, according to radio station NPR. He has composed over 60 albums, and his latest, “Saturday Morning,” was released last year.
Where: Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Malleshwaram, Bangalore
When: July 5, 7 pm
Info: Tickets Rs 1,000-3,000 available on www.bookmyshow.com

White Mug live: If you want to enjoy an evening full of soulful and enthralling music, then head to the Hard Rock Cafe. Formed in 2011, the band White Mug believes in creating soulful music and has been influenced by Rock n Roll, electric Blues and Hard Rock music.
Where: Hard Rock Cafe, St. Marks Road
When: July 3, 8 pm






Bringing the house down: Germany's DJ Stefan Lan will be spinning a blend of electronic and house tracks this weekend, at resto lounge Shiro. Based in Munich, Lan has played across the world, in cities in Brazil, New Zealand, Taiwan and the UAE, and is currently touring India.
Where: Shiro, UB City, Bangalore
When: July 6, 3.30 pm onwards
Info: Entry Rs 2,000 plus taxes (includes Sunday brunch)

Standup comedy
Comic central: The Improvisers is an incredibly  funny improvisational show. They are a group of four experienced comedians who will improvise shows based on suggestions from the audience. The show features Abish Mathew, Kanan Gill, Kaneez Surka and Kenny Sebastian. Expect an interactive, crazy, fun-filled laugh riot.
Where: Jus Trufs, Jakkur Road, Yelahanka.
When: July 4, 7:30 pm
Info: Tickets priced at Rs. 500

 

Art
A play of colour: Gallery Third Eye presents an art exhibition titled, ‘The Rhythm Of Colour’. On display will be artworks by Ram Onkar and Revati Gangal. Though Ram Onkar doesn’t have any formal training in art, still his vision towards his craft is very clear. His paintings feature an effusion of colour. On the other hand, Revati Gangal paints life as seen in Bollywood films in a subtle mixture of restraint and exuberance. Her characters are shown in a meditative calm, but their inner lives, thoughts and aspirations are showcased in colourful and joyful patterns.
Where: Gallery Third Eye, Lavelle Road, Bangalore.
When: July 1-31
Info: The exhibition can be viewed by prior appointment only

Films
Award-winning filmmaker Deepa Dhanraj's The Advocate, based on the life of PUCL founder KG Kannabiran, will be screened this weekend. The film is part-biography and part-history about the contribution of Kannabiran to challenge the Indian state to uphold the rule of law, and explores his political ideology.
Where: Paradigm Shift, 80 Feet Road Koramangala (near Sony Signal), Bangalore
When: July 5, 6 pm
Info: Entry free. For details, contact Kabir at 96-63-427-315

KOLKATA

Music
A musical encounter: Enjoy an evening of soothing jazz music by the Aniruddh Saha Quartet as a part of the ‘Thursday Jazz Encounter’ at Plush. The evening will feature Srinjay Banerjee on guitars, Rhythm Shaw on guitars and bass, Aniruddh Saha on drums and Rahul Guha Roy rendering the vocals.
Where: Plush, The Astor Hotel, Kolkata.
When: July 3, 8pm

Art
Painting a city’s landscape: Bachhawat Foundation presents ‘Engaging With a Changing Landscape’, an exhibition of etchings and paintings by artists such as Amitava Dhar, Aditya Basak, Rajat Sen, Raja Mondal, Sankha Banerjee, Sekhar Roy, Arindam Chatterjee, Debasis Barui, Chandra Bhattacharya and Srikanta Paul, among others.
Where: Aakriti Art Gallery, Elgin Road, Kolkata
When: July 1-7, 11 am onwards
Info: Open to all. No entry charges.

Interpreting the feminine energy through art: ‘Nari O Prakiri’ is an art exhibition being held at Academy of Fine Arts. The exhibition will showcase artworks by Sanjoy Banerjee, Nihar Dey and Shibnath Mondal. The theme for the exhibition is women and nature, with the artists combining the two with a resplendent display on the canvas.
Where: July 1-7
When: Academy of Fine Arts, Park street, Kolkata.

MUMBAI

Theatre
“Phenomenal storytelling”: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, performed at The National Theatre, London will be screened at NCPA. Based on the acclaimed novel by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens, The Times reviewed the play as ‘a phenomenal combination of storytelling and spectacle’. Christopher is a 15-year-old with an extraordinary brain. While exceptional at maths, he is ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion of killing Mrs Shears’ dog Wellington, he records each fact about the event in the book he is writing to solve the mystery of the murder. His detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world. The play, directed by Marianne Elliott, features Luke Treadaway, Niamh Cusack, Paul Ritter,Nicola Walker, Una Stubbs among others.
Where: Godrej Dance Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai
When: July 6 at 3 & 7 pm and July 10, 24 at 6.30 pm
Tickets: Rs 500

The contradictions of social life: Vijay Tendulkar's Jaat Hi Poochho Sadhu Ki is a dark comedy that lashes out at casteism, an education system which specialises in churning out educated illiterates and the contradictions in our social life. Mahipat, who is village-born but bred in the city, accepts a job as a professor in one of the lesser-known colleges. Young and ambitious, he is soon made very aware about the lowliness of his own caste. Having witnessed the desperation of unemployment, he begins indulging in manipulation to beat the bosses at their own game. The play has been translated by Vasant Deo and directed by Dinesh Thakur. The cast includes Aman Gupta, S C Makhija, Preeta Mathur, Atul Mathur and others.
Where: Godrej Dance Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point, Mumbai
When: July 5, 7 pm
Tickets: Rs. 300

Dark humour: Chinese Coffee is a black comedy about friendship and the loss of it. The original play, which was a comeback act for Al Pacino, opened to rave reviews in the early 1990s in the US The Hoshruba Repertory staged the play for the first time in India in 2012, and the production, starring Vrajesh Hirjee and Danish Husain, opened to rave reviews.
Where: Prithvi Theatre, Mumbai
When: July 5-6, 6 pm and 9 pm
Info: Tickets priced at Rs. 300

Dance
A classical evening: Attend a performance by T Reddi Lakshmi, one of the most talented classical performers of the present generation. She has been learning Kuchipudi since the last 15 years under the guidance of eminent gurus Padmasri Jayarama Rao and Vanashree Rao.
Where: Hotel National Darbar, Parel, Mumbai.
When: July 3, 7 pm
Info: Entry free

Music
The rock legends: You can now groove to the greatest hits by American rock band The Doors as Gary Lawyer pays a tribute to the band which revolutionised the rock music scene.
Where: Blue Frog, Lower Parel, Mumbai.
When: July 3

Film screening
A charming story: The Householder (1963) a film by Merchant Ivory Productions, will be played at The Tasting Room as part of the monthly Dinner & A Movie screenings of culturally curated films. Written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and James Ivory, it is based on the 1960-novel of the same name by Jhabvala. Starring Shashi Kapoor and Leela Naidu, The Householder is a subtle story with a variety of shining pleasures and charming touches of humour. The screening will be followed by the restaurant’s special menu with appetisers, mains and desserts.
Where: The Tasting Room, Good Earth, Lower Parel, Mumbai
When: July 9, 6:30 pm
Price: Rs 1,000, with taxes as applicable.
For reservations: 022-65285284

Tea and wine appreciation
A guided tasting experience: Tea and wine share the same tasting vocabulary. Experience and appreciate these two beverages alongside at a guided tasting co-hosted by the Tea Sommelier at Tea Trunk and the Wine Sommelier at Wine Kart. Learn about the nuances of flavours, pick tasting notes and more. Participants will be tasting four teas and four wines each.
Where: The Table, Ground Floor, Kalapesi Trust Bldg, Apollo Bunder Marg, Colaba, Mumbai.
When: July 10, 7 pm
Price: Rs 1,750 per person with taxes included.
For reservations: 9820859548