What’s happening in Mumbai’s hotels? A peek into the party circuit and events in the city… By Marcellus Baptista
Grill thrill
The newly-opened La Ruche Bar & Grill made its presence felt as the venue for two events. Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar was there to announce India Luxury Style Week 2015 – Men’s Edition, coming up in Bengaluru in August. Orchestrated by Ramesh Dembla, you learnt that this week would feature menswear designers from all over India. Hosted by Madhurima Tuli, the event attracted guests like Krishika and Sunil Lulla, Anu Malik, Gulshan Grover, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Urvashi Rautela and Zarine Khan. And La Ruche made waves once again as it was the venue for the after-party of the launch of Leena Mogre’s book ‘Total Fitness – The Leena Mogre Way’ by Madhuri Dixit at her gymnasium across the road from La Ruche.
Time for seconds
The spirits were high at the second edition of the Smirnoff Experience music festival at the NSCI dome. The festival, headlined by Australian duo Knife Party and the masked enigma The Bloody Beetroots, brought together a multitude of music lovers at the NSCI dome. Also in attendance were renowned Indian artistes like the Dualist Inquiry, Sandunes, Sound Avatar and Kris Correya. Smirnoff Experience, described as India’s most un-fake electronic dance music (EDM) festival, is based on the philosophy that real fun begins with real people. Smirnoff Experience lets partygoers drop the act, be themselves and ‘un-fake-it’ with distinctively new sounds created by international and Indian artists. Launched in 2013, Smirnoff Experience is aimed at redefining the festival-going experience for the growing community of dance music lovers in the subcontinent.
Greek mix
The Greek cuisine restaurant Kipos popularised its place further by staging an event that brought together art and music, fashion and innovation. It was a Shrinne Entertainment presentation of The City Weekender – A Perfect Luxury Mixer, supported by BMW, Mini with the gleaming cars displayed on the road near the entrance. Guests sipped wine and beer as they feasted their eyes on an array of abstract paintings by Rashmi Pitre, listened to the songs by Vandana Vadehra and Sheldon Pereira with the band and relished the variety of Greek cuisine crafted by Chef Shivraj. Enjoying the experience were the likes of Vithal Kamat, Ejaz Khan, Shakir Shaikh and Shweta Khanduri among many more.
Opening odyssey
The Taj was the chosen hotel to showcase its culinary skills at the delightful dinner following the opening of the sprawling Gallery Odyssey, in association with London’s Halycon Gallery, at One Indiabulls Centre, Lower Parel. The event orchestrated by Chhaya Momaya with artistic setup by Bina Aziz, featured the solo works of internationally acclaimed sculptor Lorenzo Quinn, along with a fabulous fashion show by celebrated couturier Raghavendra Rathore. Gallery owner Divya Gehlaut was there to welcome the many guests into the space that promises to offer an unmatched experience to art lovers and collectors alike. And the talk was on the ever present ideals and universal characteristics of love and relationships that are portrayed in Quinn’s works that are sure to find universal resonance with all viewers.