Eric Carver comes to High Society this Thursday, May 31st for Hip Hop vs. Bhangra!
Over the past 10 years, Eric Carver has entertained crowds with Drum n Bass, Breaks, UK Garage, House, Oldschool Hip Hop and Downtempo. His sound is now refined, and Eric has become a leader in Vancouver’s Hip Hop & House scenes. In 2009 and 2010, Eric was nominated to the final round of voting for Best Urban DJ at Clubvibes’ annual Vancouver Nightlife Awards, and is a finalist again this year.
Eric has played at virtually every nightclub in Vancouver and held residencies in almost half of them. During the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Eric played 31 shows in 18 days, and since January 2009, Eric has averaged over 160 per year, making him one of Vancouver’s most booked and sought-after DJs. He currently holds down 5 weekly residencies in Vancouver’s downtown core.
Check him out here:
http://www.facebook.com/djericcarver
http://soundcloud.com/ericcarver
http://www.myspace.com/djericcarver
…and then seem him at High Society this month.
A recap of our night with Raghav on Thursday, April 26, 2012.
High Society: WTF? It’s Raghav! Edition was a blast…
4/20 vs. “Char Sau Bees”
Oh glorious day.
The relevance of the date of April 20 – and for the “purists” among you the time of 4:20pm on this date – is well known in North America. Over the course of many years the date “420” has come to represent a counterculture holiday… a time for hippies people to gather, smoke the green stuff and complain (very calmly) about the ridiculous state of a legal system that refuses to legalize the sticky-icky-icky. There’s a great post on the origins of the date here: http://bit.ly/HVuOH5.
But, quite by coincidence, the phrase “four hundred twenty” or “char sau bees” in Hindi, means something else to the people of the subcontinent. In conversation this phrase is used to refer simply to people who are cheating or being dishonest, but the roots of this phrase are actually buried in India’s penal code where acts of fraud are dealt with under Section 420 of this code. Over time, this phrase entered the common lexicon and yet another Indian idiom was born.
And… now you know. So, later today when you’re performing maintenance on your drug paraphernalia in preparation for the afternoon, you can tell your fellow pot-heads about “char sau bees”. Enlightened, you and your cannabis compatriots can let out a collective “whoah…” before staring off into space.
So, today, whether you’re lighting up or committing acts of fraud, we wish you a very happy 420…
…and many happy returns!
High Society: WTF! Raghav in the House Edition
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Canadian-born singer Raghav released his new CD, The Phoenix, on April 10, 2012, with the first three singles “So Much”, “Fire”, and “Top Of The World” already receiving an incredible response. Produced by Labrinth, the track “So Much” features fellow Canadian Kardinal Offishall and inspired Raghav’s Juno Nomination for Soul/R&B Recording of the Year. Produced by the legendary Jim Beanz, “Fire” burned its way up the charts and was certified Gold by Music Canada with over 50,000 sales. It has recently received a nomination for a SiriusXM Indie Award for Single of The Year, as well as nominations for two Canadian Radio Music Awards (CHR & HOT AC). Raghav’s most recent single, Top of the World is set to follow suit.
If you don’t know, you will on Thursday. Check him out: www.Raghav.com
We have a stacked night for you that includes the a designer high-hell showcase by “Shoe Phix” featuring the swimwear stylings of Smooch Boutique.
Shoe Phix is a boutique shoe store, presenting hand-picked pairs to satiate all who are addicted to women’s shoes: www.ShoePhix.com. At the next High Society event, Shoe Phix will be presenting a special showcase of their wares, joined by the ladies of Smooch Boutique showing off their swimwear creations.
Bollywood / Bhangra / Global Beats
Joined by the man himself, our residents Reminisce and Lajit will be presenting some inspired remixes and mashups of Raghav’s best work. We also feature DJ Goddess returning to open the night and special guest DJs HDH and B.I.G.
High Society: WTF! Raghav in the House Edition
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Doors @ 8pm
Guestlist until 10:30pm
Swimwear and High-heel Showcase at 9pm
$20 with Guestlist / $25 at Door
$40 VIP - Up Close and Personal with Raghav
Guestlist requests to guestlist@highsociety.ca
Call 778 881 3851 for Advance Tickets
STYLE CODE IN EFFECT:
DRESS CODE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED
Raghav - The Phoenix
What a great album. True to his word… Raghav’s latest offering is a departure from the singles he released previously. Showing a lot of maturity and range, we now see a Raghav that is exuding more confidence and composure than ever. Definitely recommend grabbing the album from iTunes: http://bit.ly/HvDeJE
For desi music fans, Raghav’s vocal skills are undeniable: http://youtu.be/fCzSh331NzI
…like… fuck, that’s so sexy.
The last time we (A-Town Productions, give it up!) had the opportunity to work with this artist it was March of 2006 and we produced the afterparty for a gig called “Rock the Mic” at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre… a lot of champagne was drunk that night.
Raghav returns to town to headline Surrey’s Party for the Planet on Friday, April 27th… and… we hear talk that he may also be making an appearance or two elsewhere. Where you ask?
Stay tuned!
High Society - Holi Edition
Holi Cow.
The season of Holi has come and gone and here we are trying to celebrate a few weeks later. Well, when the ancient Bengalis invented this festival, I don’t suppose they could have taken Vancouver’s longest running Bhangra and Bollywood night into consideration… if they had, Holi would most definitely land on the last Thursday of the month.
Regardless, Holi is a time to put aside differences, embrace all people equally, and slap some funky colours on their person… so, we don’t mind dedicating this month’s jam to such an important message… even if it is a few week’s late.
Be Your Own Best Friend
Joining us for High Society will be the crew from the Be Your Own Best Friend Network (BYOBF). A pair of women with roots in Surrey have launched BYOBF as a way to connect South Asian women involved in business pursuits.
The network, co-founded by Sukhi Ghuman and Manpreet Dhillon, is geared towards women in home-based businesses, in offices, entrepreneurs, mothers and those exploring new opportunities. More than anything, BYOBF’s first networking event is an opportunity for South Asian women in business to connect and develop a network for mutual support.
For more information on the networking event, visit:
http://www.facebook.com/events/231723230257915/
Reminisce, Lajit & DJ Goddess
She’s so nice, we booked her twice… and now… a third time.
We’ve been getting some rave reviews on DJ Goddess and the added kick of estrogen she brings to the High Society team. Rumour has it that she may soon join the ranks as a resident DJ on the night! Until then, you can catch her this month at Ginger62.
Reminisce & Lajit, our steadfast residents will be joined by some new guests in coming months… allowing these guys to flex some of their old school Hip Hop skills in addition to the Bollywood and Bhangra selects you’ve come to love.
For those of you crazies out with us last month… the pics are up. Ow! You’re all so sexy it hurts:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150714730861605.456444.21425671604&type=3
See you there, the last Thursday of this month and every month!
High Society: Holi Edition
March 29, 2012
Doors @ 8pm
(BYOBF Event from 8pm to 10pm - $20)
Guestlist until 10:30pm
Guestlist requests to guestlist@highsociety.ca
Strictly 23+ / Doors at 8pm / $20 Cover / $15 Advance or Guestlist
O Re Piya / Rolling in the Deep
For a split-second you think this is another appearance by the Kolaveri, but give it a few seconds. Rohan Kymal doesn’t quite hit the notes with the same power and piercing quality as Adele, but this guy does sound good. What is lacking in Grammy-winning vocal skills is made up for with linguistic range. There should be a new category of awards for people that do this.
Dope video by Shankar Tucker.
Navroop Mitter is Awesome
Every once in a while, some Punjabi dude rocks out in a particular style that makes all Punjabis… nay… anyone of South Asian descent proud and bemused.
The most recent moment involves Navroop Mitter, technology startup CEO and the man whose fashion sense and limited selection of ties, led him to choose a turban that would set Twitter ablaze.
Standing between President Obama and Vice President Biden, Navroop handily eclipses the most powerful men in the world with his impressive attire and unimpressed expression. From Navroop:
It has cultural significance in Punjab, but here at home in the States, frankly, I needed something that matched the tie,” said Mitter, reached today by phone.
Attaboy, Navroop. Knock ‘em dead… we all hope that mummyji was proud of her little Navi.
High Society – Mardi Gras Edition
This month, Carnival meets Bollywood, and the results will be spectacular. Joined by carnival dancers, High Society will be bringing the colours, lights and glitz of Bollywood Carnival to Ginger62.
DJ Goddess returns this month to open for Reminisce & Lajit:
This month we’re also celebrating as British Columbia’s longest running Punjabi radio show, gets a little longer… Lady B is going to a 2-hour format on Swaraj Radio 96.1FM from 1pm to 3pm, daily:
Not sure what you’re missing? Check out the pics from our last month’s event… and also be sure to check out the 2011 Rewind by Jesse Winter Heading!
High Society, January:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150628929756605.445714.21425671604&type=3
The Rewind:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150478249166428
See you there, the last Thursday of this month and every month!
High Society: Mardi Gras Edition
February 23, 2012
Doors @ 8pm
Free Cover Before 9pm
Guestlist until 10:30pm
Guestlist requests to guestlist@highsociety.ca
Strictly 23+ / Doors at 8pm / $20 Cover / $15 Advance or Guestlist
The longest running Punjabi radio show in BC gets a little longer
On February 13th, Lady B, host and producer of the “Swaraj” radio show on 96.1FM will be expanding to fill a 2 hour block from 1pm to 3pm.
Swaraj, a fast-paced Punjabi arts program, features music and interviews with the top names in Bhangra. Lady B has been hosting this seminal program on Fairchild Radio for the past 13 years. As one of the pioneers in Punjabi media in the region, Lady B has seen the advent of a number of large-scale media properties such as Red 93.1FM and RJ 1200AM, which are dedicated to South Asian programming round the clock. But, in the face of all of this, Lady B’s following continues to grow. Credited largely for her candid and articulate style of hosting and her unique access to some of the Punjabi music industry’s most sought after artists, demand for Lady B has never been stronger.
Catch Lady B live on the air for “Swaraj” from 1pm to 3pm, Monday through Friday, starting February 13th, 2012.
A Young Paki on a Warpath
Gandhi meets N.W.A.
Divya Mehra’s exhibition “The Party is Over” is at on at Artspeak in Gastown. Insightful juxtapositions between partition-era politics and modern contexts in her pieces give new resonance to old themes of conflict and hatred… the blinking Gandhi peering into the street definitely grabs your intention, but it’s the lyrics on the wall next to his neon head that are clever, chilling and provocative:
A Young Paki on a Warpath
And When I’m Finished
It’s Gonna Be a Bloodbath
The exhibition closes on January 28th, so check it out in the next few days. Read more at the Vancouver Sun or on Artspeak’s own website.
High Society - Republic of India Edition
After an epic end to 2011, we start 2012’s party season off with a bang.
Thursday, January 26th, the date of the next High Society jam, falls on the same date as the Republic Day of India — a day to celebrate the Constitution of India coming into effect.
If you haven’t yet, check out our recent post on the Constitution — especially India’s close connection to Martin Luther King Jr. — and send an email or drop a Wall post to tell us what you think:
http://highsociety.ca/post/15640502832/the-constitution-of-india-its-the-document-that
This month also marks the debut of DJ Goddess:
http://www.djgoddess.com/
http://jessicadhillon.com/
Jessica Dhillon, a dancer, model and actor, learned her DJ skills under the tutelage of the mighty Lisa Delux. Goddess will be bringing her Bollywood infused House flavours to the dancefloor this month. Goddess comes fresh from her debut gig, playing CityTV’s New Years Eve bash in Calgary… live on stage with Raghav no less!
Rest assured she will be playing under the watchful gaze of Reminisce & Lajit as our residents let the freshest addition to Vancouver’s DJ scene take the decks for a spin.
Join us as we celebrate India’s Republic Day and the debut of DJ Goddess at High Society this month. If you want to see what you’re missing… check out Jesse Winter Heading’s 2011 Rewind at High Society:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150478249166428
See you there, the last Thursday of this month and every month!
High Society: Republic Day of India Edition
January 26, 2011
Doors @ 8pm
Free Cover Before 9pm
Guestlist until 10:30pm
Guestlist requests to guestlist@highsociety.ca
Strictly 23+ / Doors at 8pm / $20 Cover / $15 Guestlist
High Society’s 2011 Rewind!
The incomparable Jesse Winter Heading produces a recap of our last event the best way he knows how… in reverse!
This video features an amazing track by Vancouver’s own Desi Method.
The Constitution of India
It’s the document that was the most progressive work put forth by any nation of the time.
It’s the document that painted the vision for a country where all could prosper and live in freedom.
It’s the document that caused Martin Luther King Jr. to weep upon reading.
That document is the Constitution of India. Enacted on November 26, 1949, the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950… now recognized as the Republic Day of India. This month, we salute the ideals and the vision for which this document and, indeed, this country were created.
The ideals are definitely a far cry from the reality of the place (read: corruption, oppression, environmental abuses, human rights violations, etc.). In light of India’s emergence return as an economic powerhousee, it is important to remember and value the vision and intention for which this republic forged. After India’s dramatic breakup with Britain (so, bloody NEEDY) the country of India came into being with a profound promise to its people and sober reverence for the costs at which that freedom had come.
Then some politicians took hold of that mofo… and… well… here we are. Whoops… Sorry, Dr. Ambedkar!
Cheers, India… we love you anyway. On Thursday, January 26th, we celebrate you becoming a Republic:
