your last chance

we've had a wonderful year ... thanks u so much for being part of it!
have put up some pics of the wonderful 8 days of christmas ...
http://www.opusbangalore.blogspot.com/
cheers and all the very very best for 2006
from all of us at opus

ps. it'll be nice to have you join us in goa for new years!

'06 reasons.....

those 8 days of christmas

the 8 days of xmas treated banaglore to some of the city's most talented along with stars national and international. with the nip in the air under the stars it sure felt like christmas


day one: 17th dec
rajeev raja

flautist rajeev raja backed by 'ash enthralled a packed house of his fans. amazing versatility in his flute playing ranging from the throaty growls to mellow jazz solos and intrictate exposition of Indian ragas, with tracks from santana, jethro tull , to some jazz standards.

day 2 lunch: 18th dec
taaq

thermal and a quarter with thier electrifying new vocalist david pascal in an afternoon gig under the swaying palm trees, played for almost 3 hours or pure magic. from thier own compositions to thier arrangement of tunes they like they were really a breath of fresh air.

day 2 dinner
krismas kroaknight

saw some of the best voices including a 10 year old superstar, kiara, sing to a bursting house of over 400 people ...

day 3: 19th dec
christmas jam

two of bangalores new bands Old jungle Saying and Maximum Pudding started off the evening and it ended in an open jam. an evening that saw the likes of shankarshan kini, samira mohamed, anoopa, blues guitarist ananth.

day 4: 20th dec
world space live

a concert of giganitic propotions. Charlie Mariano - Soprano, Alto, tenor Sax backed by Mike Herting – KeyboardsT.A.S Mani – Mridangam Ramamani - Vocals, KonnakolKeith Peters – BassRanjit Barot - DrumsRamesh Shottam - percussionAmit Heri - guitarsaw all of bangalores music lovers enjoying a night that wont be forgotten for a long time to come.

day 5: 21st dec
gerard & priya

the gerard machado network featuring priya mendens was a night with great musicality and dexterity showing off the skill of one of bangalores most talented bands.

day 6: 22nd dec
the higher iyer show

kartik iyer in a side splitting set of comedy and nonsense . from his take on chennai, to call centre employees, to an air guitar competetion, to the arabs ... he had everyone rolling on the mattresses. joining him on stage were preetam koilpillai, rajeev ravindranathan, vivek madan and mark swaroop.

day 7: 23rd dec
anushka manchanda

in a first of its kind masala mix of the beatles, elvis, some hip hop, to some groovy dance tunes she ended it with some hardcore bollywood tracks... she had the entire crowd on the floor screaming for more.

day 8: 24th dec
carlton and friends

the great jazz pianist stanley pinto, along with prashanth on bass noel and cliff on guitars, samir on drums denzil on trumpet and the awesome nate on sax.
what a way to end the festival. people soon discarded their woolies and their mufflers and were dancing and yelling for more ... carlton was his unbelievable electric self jumping on top of speakers and chairs and in a set that ranged from swing to jazz to country to disco ... these guys totally rocked!!!

8 days of christmas

(click on image to enlarge)

THE 8 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
happens every year at christmas time , and also marks 2 years for us ot opus.
this is the 3rd edition of the festival and will feature some great acts national and international acts, karaoke nights along with a flea market that has all things colourful and chrismassy!
band profiles are listed below

Sat 17-Dec: entry rs 149/-
Rajeev Raja with ‘Ash- Jazz , funk , rock
Sun 18-Dec: entry rs 149/-
Thermal & a Quarter - LUNCH-Alt rock

Mon19-Dec: entry free
Old Jungle Saying, Maximum Pudding, Samira & Anoopa, Open Jam - rock

Tue 20-Dec: invitational event
World space live -(jazz / fusion)
Charlie Mariano - Soprano, Alto, tenor Sax
Mike Herting – Keyboards
T.A.S Mani – Mridangam Ramamani - Vocals, Konnakol
Keith Peters – Bass
Ranjit Barot - Drums
Ramesh Shottam - percussion
Amit Heri - guitar
Wed 21-Dec: entry rs 99/-
Priya Mendens & Gerard Machado Network- jazz.

Thu 22-Dec: entry rs 99/-
the Higher Iyer Show- Comedy , Nonsensense
Fri 23-Dec: entry rs 149/-
Anushka Manchanda - Rock, indipop
Sat 24-Dec: entry rs 149/-

Carlton Braganza and friends- Swing, rock-n-roll, retro.
Sun 25-Dec: entry free
Rumours - CHRISTMAS LUNCH -Golden Oldies
Sun 18th,25th: entry rs 99/-
Krismas KroaKnights

Rajeev Raja

A product of Bishop Cotton's School and St Joseph's College, Bangalore, Rajeev is acknowledged as India's most exciting Jazz and Fusion flautist.His influences include Ian Anderson, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Hubert Laws and Herbie Mann amongst flautists and Chick Corea, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, John Mclaughlin,Weather Report amongst others.He demonstrates amazing versatility in his flute playing ranging from the throaty growls to mellow jazz solos and intrictate exposition of Indian ragas.Rajeev has recently started a Indian Fusion and World Music band in Mumbai called India Chapter.

The band played its first concert in Mumbai recently to rave reviews.Rajeev has also directed the music for his first Bollywood film, Bas Yunhi.

Rajeev's band Colossus inaugurated Bangalore's first ever Jazz Yatra in the eighties.
For him the yatra goes on.

Thermal And A Quarter

(TAAQ to the impatient and the familiar) is a prolific, innovative and genre-busting rock band that embodies the part-global, part-local spirit of Bangalore in its music and attitude. For nearly ten years, TAAQ has performed hundreds of concerts in Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi and Pondicherry. Among the highlights in TAAQ's career was opening for Deep Purple in Bangalore (2001), being the first Indian rock band to be featured on National Public Radio's 'All Things Considered' (2004) and independently releasing three albums -- Thermalandaquarter.com (2000), Jupiter Cafe (2002) and Plan B (2004). Plan B was released for complimentary download on the band's website www.thermalandaquarter.comTAAQ is: Bruce Lee Mani (guitars, vocals), Rzhude (Bass, vocals), Rajeev Rajagopal (Drums) and Sunil Chandy (Keyboard, Guitar)At this special concert at Opus, TAAQ features DAVID PASCAL, the electrifying vocalist from Chennai, who will perform TAAQ favourites in his inimitable style.

Old Jungle Saying, Maximum Pudding, Samira & Anoopa, Open Jam

Samira Mohammed ,Shankarshan Kini & Anoopa Anand
Samira Mohamed, best known for her Pop/ Rock style that covers a range of artists from Sheryl Crow and Tracy Chapman to Van Halen and The Police. She is also the front woman of Progressive Rock band Clockwork Orange. As a Solo artist she has a wide range of music in her repertoire, from new hits to the classics.
Anoopa anand will perform a few songs with hook as well.

Maximum pudding
Arfaz :drums/ vocals, avijit: keys, nate :sax, abhi :guitar

Old Jungle Saying
A bunch of experimental, wise, improbably funky, groovy love kamikazes, Old Jungle Saying is based in one of the lazy layouts of the southern city of Bangalore, India. Influenced by the likes of Primus, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More, Infectious Grooves and a whole lot of other bands whose genealogy is hard to trace, Old Jungle Saying serves up sumptuous slabs of psychedelic funk, held in place by the riotous rhythm section of Sandeep Madhavan (bass) and Greg Hamra on drums. As they steer the mothership through the murky, quirky guitars of Mel D'Mello and the spaced-out funkiness emanating from resident hippie Avijit Michael, the charismatic gurgling of Aditya Menon can be heard calling the faithful from above the rarified groove.

With lyrics inhabited by the likes of ticked-off monkeys, generous ghosts and Faye Dunaway while still managing to cast a jaundiced eye on the world, a rhythm section that stops, turns and whistles on a dime, guitar licks that weave through without a scratch, quivering keys and vocals that preach and prattle, Old Jungle Saying is here to tickle your funny bone while punching you in the gut.

Sandeep Madhavan: Bass, Aditya Menon: Vocals, Mel D’Mello: Guitars ,Avijit Michael: Keyboards, Greg Hamra: Drums

WORLD SPACE LIVE ( BY INVITE ONLY)

Charlie Mariano:
Born Nov. 11, 1923 , Boston Studied music at Berklee College of Music, Boston Lives in Cologne, Germany.

Charlie Mariano is far more than an internationally successful saxophonist; he has been listed amongst the legends of the trade for a long time: The musician, born on Nov. 11, 1923, began his career as early as 1941 as a co-musician in professional show bands and worked with quite a number of jazz icons during his further career. If you want to visualise the actual duration of his active life, you just have to become aware of the fact that Mariano is one of the last contemporary witnesses of the bebop era. For example, he worked with Stan Kenton, Dizzy Gillespie, but also with McCoy Tyner during the 50s. In 1962, he played with Charles Mingus and accompanied him on the album The Black Saint and The Sinner Lady. During the late 60s, he played with Astrud Gilberto. At the beginning of the 70s, he spent several months in India to study a South-Indian wind instrument, the nagaswaram. His cooperation with Indian musicians, for example with the project Bangalore (INT 3246 2), continues until this day. His involvement with the United Jazz & Rock Ensemble, in Jasper van’t Hof’s Pork Pie (e.g. Operanoia, INT 3158 2) show his ability to integrate as well as his individuality.
However, Charlie Mariano did not lend his unique sound to jazz or so-called world music productions alone; since the beginning of the 80s, renowned representatives of popular music (e.g. Nena, Konstantin Wecker, Herbert Groenemeyer and many others) also have called him when an expressive saxophone was needed. You can in fact assume that practically everyone in these parts has already listened to his play, either consciously or unconsciously. The secret of his success is certainly his enormous versatility, in addition to his instrumental virtuosity and his original, distinctive sound that has its origin in Mariano’s constant openness and curiosity towards any kind of musical style and form.


Mr.T.A.S. Mani & Mrs. R.A. Ramamani- Kamataka College of percussion:
T.A.S. Mani, a disciple of C.K. Ayyamani Iyer who had his training under Palakkad Subba Iyer along with Palakkad Mani Iyer, is a leading mridanga vidwan as well as a popular teacher. He is a staff artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan in Bangalore. He has a percussion ensemble of his own called Tala Tarangini which has been featured in many prestigious national and international percussion festivals. He and his wife Ramamani regularly participate in jazz festivals abroad along with Western jazz musicians. Mani is as well the founder-principal of the Karnataka College of Percussion. He teaches at the Bangalore University also. Mani has received many awards. The latest PAC award is in recognition of his contribution to the elevation of the status of percussive arts in the field of music. KCP has performed in Asia, Australia, Europe and America. Mrs. Ramamani is the vice-president of KCP and is vocalist of high standard and standing, performing artist, teacher and composer. She sings with spontaneity and mastery over rhythm and melody, and specialises in vocal improvisations, complex rhythmic patterns and konnakol, a type of percussion language. She is the first female artist to achieve distinction in singing a composition simultaneously set to two different rhythm cycles. She has boldly experimented with western forms of music and has written seven melodic and rhythmic experimental compositions. She is the first female Carnatic classical musician in India to sing with national and international jazz band. She is also a lecturer at Institute of Choreography Bangalore.


Mike Herting:
Mike herting, keyboard player, arranger, composer and producer is a prolific musicican and has been featured in many great albums, and bands like Acoustic Alchemy. Mike is based in Germany.

Ranjit Barot:
Ranjit Barot is one of India’s best drummers and was part of the pioneering fusion project in the eighties by Ramamani titled Citylights - Sangam.

Keith Peters:
Much sought after bassist by producers and music directors like AR Rehman, Keith Peters has featured in many jazz concerts in India.

Ramesh Shottam:
Percussionist and drummer Ramesh Shottam has performed at various international festivals. To mention a few: Berlin Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Festival of Perth, Buk Festival in South Korea, Montreal Jazz Festival, Jazz Yatra Festival in India and Festival of India in Australia and China, and at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia.Shotham's work with musicians such as Carla Bley, Steve Coleman, Steve Swallow, Jonas Hellborg, Charlie Mariano, Sigi Schwab, Ronan Guilfoyle and a host of others is well documented. Over the years he also founded his own formations like Bhavani and Madras Special.

Amit Heri:
Guitar player Amit heri is Bangalore’s prolific jazz guitar player and has played withy Trilok Gurtu in major jazz festivals around the world.

The Gerard Machado Network

The Gerard Machado Network features talented and accomplished musicians.

Gerard Machado, an accomplished and versatile guitarist, blends the styles of many legendary jazz, rock and blues guitarists to bring alive a distinct style of his own. He has experimented with different genres of music with famous musician in India and abroad. He is a fine composer and has scored music for a number of films. He has to his name albums such as Clean Licks, Touch another Life, Spectrum and also has recorded gospel music. He has also performed at several Jazz Yatras in India and abroad.

Paul Santiago, a Bangalore boy, moved to Europe in the eighties and was influenced by Brazilian and Spanish guitarists. He became a professional musician after migrating to Australia and has recorded and performed with numerous bands in Australia and India. He is currently working on a fusion music project in Bangalore.

Yogendra “Tillu” Hule, is the young, vibrant and talented drummer of the group. Tillu has a firm grounding in music and has evolved into one of the finest jazz drummers in the country. A recent stint in Australia has earned him admission into the Australian College of Music.

K N Prakash, has been playing music with several Jazz, Fusion and Progressive Rock bands in Bangalore over the last 6 years. He is greatly influenced by Jaco Pastorious and Stanley Clark, imbibing their techniques in his own style. He is also inspired by the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Dizzy Gillespie.

Priya Mendens
The only thing one can say about Priya Mendens is that if you haven’t seen her perform you’ve missed something. She shouldn’t be here … she should be jamming on Bourbon Street with an entire brass ensemble backing her. As far as jazz and blues go you can search …the chances are you may not find.
A freelance graphic designer, she is also an accomplished theatre personality having enthralled audiences with her performances in Kiss of the Spiderwoman in Mumbai, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof and Hello Dolly.

Together The Gerard Machado Network spells magic!

Kartik Iyer

Just another funny guy, definitely not. Kartik Iyer is a Loyola lad from Chennai. Currently living in Bangalore, he works in advertising by day and decides to quit everyday by night. Kartik was actively involved in Chennai’s theatre scene. Having worked with theatre groups like Madras Players, Masquerade and Boardwalkers he has acted in over 26 productions in 8 years. (Biloxi Blues, Dance Like a man, Art, Monty Python- kind of stuff). Kartik has also performed in Bangalore at Black Coffee’s theatre festival ’04. Playing the lead role in Dancing on glass directed by Preetam Koilpillai.
Kartik has always had a keen interest in stand up comedy. Forever gaping at performances by Jerry Lewis, Richard Pryor, Mike Myers, Chris Rock, Ali G, Robin Williams and Jerry Seinfeld. Anyway after many drunk nights and loud banter he’s decided to give it a shot at his own comedy.
And for those of you who come to opus regularly, he’s the guy who sings Pettai Rap and translates English songs into Tamil, instantly! Welcome to the Higher Iyer Show.

Anushka Manchanda

Anushka was discovered in a talent hunt held all over India. She was chosen as a member of the band Viva that was formed from the reality television show Popstars. This band rocked the country with their two hit albums to their name (VIVA and VIVA RELOADED).Post the split of the band Anushka has worked for Channel V as a VJ & has hosted many popular shows like on the run, first day first show, junglee jukebox, launchpad, pop diaries,etc.Currently, she is doing lot of solo shows around the country and abroad as a performer as well as a host for live and corporate events.Anushka has sung for films as well in several languages including hindi,english,tamil and telelgu for music directors like sandeep chowta, yuvan shankar raja,chakri,and jeet (from jeet-preetam),and has also sung for jingles,the latest on air being the diet pepsi add.
She appears in a short anti drug documentary and has worked as a model on ramp as well as shoot. She also writes the music review section for the popular teen magazine seventeen.
She also performs with ex viva member Mahua and is in the process of compiling her first solo album.

Carlton Braganza

Carlton Braganza is easily Bangalore's most charismatic and energetic entertainer, with a voice that mesmerises! His repertoire spans jazz, rock, pop, country, reggae and western classical. A quintessential party animal, his joie de vivre is infectious and it is impossible not get caught in the rhythm of his music. Opus, a patch of Goa right in the middle of Bangalore is Carlton’s creation. He is also responsible for creating a warm yet energized space for musicians and music lovers to come together and feed off their love for music.

FLEA MARKET

Dhakshini:
Dhakshini has been in the antique furniture business for the past twenty years; mainly focusing it’s efforts on restoration and revival of age-old furniture to suit modern homes. (This would basically cover pillars, doors, door frames, four poster beds, chaise lounge divans, chairs, desks etc., all from our great grand father’s era. If not older.)
But this time, Dhakshini’s exhibition at Opus will feature certain unique items that are bound to tickle anyone’s imagination. While yes, you will get a fair introduction to the well appreciated pillars and door frames from Dhakshini, but be sure to be fascinated by many old wooden artifacts that have reincarnated themselves to suit your modern home.
The exhibition features an eclectic variety of pieces. Be it Candle holders made from spoon stands, carved boxes and pedestals. Or intricately carved pillar capitals used to create shelves and candle bases. The exhibition will open your mind to a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to using antiques. One look at the doorframe mirrors or shelves and you’ll know exactly what we are talking about. Other pieces to watch out for are the grill tables which are a fabulous fusion of metal and wood to give your coffee table book the perfect place to rest on. The Dhakshini exhibition will also feature a few old clocks and stone based artifacts.

Arty craft:
an eco friendly outlet of arts and crafts

Levitate:
encompasses a wide array of products from around the country. The style is boho chic and the products entail apparel, silver and alternative jewellery, hand rafted kitch and a whole load of life and style accessories.

Swadeshi:
The Swadeshi Store is really the one-stop shop for furnishing and accessories. Bright light, filtering through a range of colours, colourful cottons, and aesthetic spacing lift your spirit as you enter the store. The cotton furnishing you find here is more than just soft and comfortable. It is also eco-friendly, with the swadeshi tag making the ware more appealing.
The store has a wide range of accessories that go with the cotton furnishing. One can find hand-made wooden products such as napkin rings, soap trays, coaster sets, spice jars in pearl, melamine, glossy, and matte finishes. There are cushion covers, table linen, hammocks, beanbags, shopping bags, and even kimonos. Rich and vivid colours, easy, ready-made combination checks, and a helpful shop assistant are the attractions at Swadeshi

One G:
Jewellery & other accessories from designer Mariam Handa

Sheila Venkatachalam:
african art & xmas decorations

in addition to everything there are Santa hats, xmas trees, poinsettia and lots of exciting xmas goodies

Contact for reservations : 080-23442580

lounge piranha

tuesday: castle rock bottom nights
encouraging new bands, new sounds.
beer pints at Rs 39/-, rock bottom prices on select alcohol, special rates on rocking starters, all under the stars!
lounge piranha live. 13th dec
george: drums, rohan:bass, kamla : guitar & vocals, abhi: guitar & vocals.
entry rs 49/-

A Bangalore band formed in 2004, it has hit the local music scene with a unique sound which can only be called it's own. Lounge Piranha creates a space while playing - a space for you to close your eyes or get up and jump into yourself. Ambient guitar soundscapes combined with grunge distortion are layered on top of a tight drum and bass unit. Original lyrics. Original sounds.

George Mathen from Bombay, is a graphic designer by day and fully in control of the drum kit by night.
Rohan, current medical student and future quack, takes care of the bottom end with proficiency on his Warwick bass guitar.
Kamal Singh on guitar and vocals, uses lots of alternate tuning and open strings, and hits the grunge spot with alarming accuracy.
Abhi on guitar and vocals, emerges from the tangle of the electronic loops in his studio to provide the ambient soundscapes with lots of guitar delay and reverb.
Original lyrics. Original sounds. Lounge Piranha is up and Lounge Piranha is coming.
entry rs 49/-

wed: KroaKnight

thursday: val & trevor (live)
retro & oldies
Entry Rs 99/-

friday: the karnataka goan association xmas party
entry + a super xmas special spread rs 750/-

opus flea market
a super coming together of some great designers, artists and things colourful
dakshini: antique furniture, daffodils: pointsetters & xmas trees, swadeshi: linen, arty crafts : hand made paper gifts & crafts ,
levitate : bohemian jewellery & clothing , one g: jewellery, sheila venkatachalam: african art & xmas decorations, santa hats and lots more exciting xmas goodies

watch out for the next mail on the 8 days of xmas!

Asaf Rabi, Roberto Narain and Konarak Reddy

Acoustic Electric Band in concert

Konarak Reddy
Konarak Reddy has been called one of India's best and most innovative guitarists, known for his finger-style prowess, as well as for integrating Hindustani and Carnatic styles of improvisation.

He studied jazz composition and performance at Berklee College of Music Boston and graduated with Honours from the Guitar Performance program at Musician's Institute, Hollywood & has two degrees in western classical music theory from the Royal School of Music and Trinity College of Music, London.
His performances and tours have included playing with a variety of musicians including Dr.L.Subramaniam, Earl Klugh, Al Jareau, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Ravi Coltrane, George Laval Maynard Fergusson, Embryo, Orexis, T.A.S.Mani and Rama Mani, Flute Ramani, Rajeev Devasthali, Debi Prasad Ghosh, Vemu Mukunda, Shanti Rao, Neela Ramanujam, Suma Sudhindra, Afro-Brazil, Lady Dee, Banda Esmeralda and Sergio Mendez amongst others.
He currently tours with Dr.L.Subramanaiam. He has been invited once again to tour Germany with the International Guitar Nights package consisting of four internationally acclaimed guitarists.

Asaf Rabi
Born in June 1979 in Beer Sheva, south Israel. Started playing in electric bass in rock groups at age of fourteen, because it was much smarter then to pick the guitar up.
Started playing Israeli, Mediterranean, and Balkan folk music at high school, performing in Israel, Europe and China with a youth orchestra. Started playing jazz in small combos in Beer Sheva and Jerusalem at the age of 16, recording and performing with local cats, studying jazz harmony and arranging with the top teachers of Israel. After the army, moved to Tel-Aviv to play with jazz, rock, and various ethnic groups. Studied in the Tel-Aviv AMademie of music - classical harmony and counter-point. At age of 23 moved to Amsterdam to study at the Amsterdam Conservatory, performing and recording in the local scene with jazz groups, Latin, drum & bass, rock, and world music.
Dedicating time now for writing. Recently went to study with bass virtuoso Dominic DePiazza in the south of France. At the age of 25 has now started to look further - towards Indian music.

Roberto Narain
A Drummer / Percussionist who hears a different sound and beat, Roberto Narain has been captivating music fans for more than 20 years as a musician.
Roberto was born in Monza, Italy and grew up in Bangkok, Thailand for over 15 years after which his family settled in Bangalore. He is presently based in Mumbai (Bombay). He began drumming from the age of 13 and has performed in musical styles ranging from rock, jazz rock, funk, fusion, and metal to contemporary jazz and world music throughout India as well as on the international music circuit. Roberto has played in and with numerous bands such as Middle Earth, Millennium, and WARDEN as well as musicians like Dr. L. Subramanian and Konarak Reddy. He is currently studying carnatic classical music theory under the guidance of Mr. T.A.S. Mani of the Karnataka College of Percussion in order to incorporate nuances of carnatic rhythm into performing on the drum set.
Roberto is currently playing with the band ARYA, which performed at the prestigious festival “La Mar de Musicas , in Cartagena , Spain in July, 2003. Arya had their first tour of U.S. A in September 2004.
He is also a partner of The Active, a recording studio with Singer/Actress Vasundhara Das in Bangalore.
With “sounds from my mind” Roberto opened new doors of percussion when he explored limitless possibilities of music from his Roland V drums. and proceeds to blow his audience’s collective mind with the sounds and sights from his one man band.
He performed at the K.S.C.A stadium in Bangalore during the recent test matches between India and Australia / Pakistan held in October 2004 and March 2005. Currently working for brand promotion for Roland, Japan.
Musical influences – too many to mention.

back A-LIVE

sense finally prevails... even if it took what seemed like an age and even if we have to be called a 'live band' place !!
thank you so much for all the support .. much appreciated.
thursday night, be there, as we make a lil noise to celebrate 'the resurection'
rock on...
carlton

PARIKRAMA
chintan kalra: bass , sonam sherpa: lead guitar, saurab choudhary : rhythm guitar , dilip ramachandran: drums , nitin malik: vocals , subir malik: keys, shambu nath: tabla, imran khan :violin.

YELL-O
praveen: guitar, bali:vocals ,avoy: drums, prashant: bass.

in a jam ... 8th december.05. 8.30pm onwards... entry rs 99/-

for reservations call 080-23442580.

your HOOK this weekend

thursday: COMEDY NIGHTS - feat PREETAM
one of south india's most talented young stand up comedians. Brought to you in association with bangalore habba.
Entry Rs 99/-


saturday night live: HOOK
shankarshan kini: guitar/violin, prakash kn: guitar, samira mohammed: vocals
hook is influenced by blues, jazz, rock & indian classical music. They will play a few of their own compositions besides artists like dave mathews, ani difranco, bonnie raitt.
Entry Rs 99/-

jim jeffries... live at opus

Press Reviews
Jim played Jongleurs, Glasgow a couple of weekends ago and the guy absolutely killed all three nights. Amazing set and had the audience in tears with his closing poem, "Turned, Smiled and Giggled.” Forget Shakespearean sonnets, forget Sylvia Plath or Emily Dickenson. This guy is a genius when it comes to poetry.
Edinburgh Comedy review

He is the best comic going around and a really good guy. It’s good to see a comic say something and not try to be like Bill Hicks. If you get upset by what he has to say, you are probably an idiot. Unreal material, I have never laughed so hard.
Lee Pennock Critic

This guy is awesomely funny. I saw him last night and honestly came close to choking from laughing so hard. It wasn't even his show; he was the compere and he still made me laugh like I've hardly ever laughed before. He is a dirty comedian, there is no disguising that, but he carries it off so well. He is offensive without actually offending anyone. A very talented and very funny young man.
Chloe London Standard

Saw him at Manchester Comedy Store; gets away with material that is beyond offensive, but that’s an endorsement of how well it's delivered. Short set but the funniest guy I've seen for months.
Rick 09.08.04

I recently saw Jim Jeffries at the Comedy Store in Manchester. He is a great comedian and was the funniest of the lot. He made me laugh and laugh and laugh. Don't get hung up on the sex; that's only part of it. He is very witty, astute and distinctly audible.

korporate kroaknights

korporate kroaknights:
•An open competition – age/sex no bar
•Language - English
•Contest conducted and judged by the Opus team
•Exciting prizes to be won at all levels
•Mega prize of an overseas holiday

elimination round:
•At your café/amphitheatre/terrace
•open to all employees in the orginisation
•Preferably a Friday evening 4pm-7pm
•We bring in the equipment and roll
•The top 3 are selected to represent your company at the inter corporate level conducted at opus
•Session duration – 3 hours

Publicity for the contest :
1 week-10 days proir to the event we will create hungama through
•eDMs – Internal Company mailers
•Posters – to be put up in the various offices

Prizes:
For the best vocalist & best showman
•Dinner coupons from Opus
•Exciting Prizes from various lifestyle stores/products
•Top 3 winners qualify for the Inter Corporate KroaKNIGHT conducted at Opus

The finals :
Inter corporate level kroaknight contest will be conducted at Opus with all participating corporates contesting against each other for the mega prize.

Give your employees a great time and the chance to win some fabulous prizes!!!

Christmas....and all that jazz

its that time of the year again !!!
... when i have to abandon my vests and shorts and wear horrid musty smelling woolies ...
... when i have a constant blocked nose ... when my feet look really hideous ... actually thats not true ... it looks like that all the year round (though its nice that there's an entire season to blame it on)
but most importantly .. CHRISTMAS is coming !!
...so its mistletoe and magic and marzipans and merriment and of course ... music!!!
its also a big big time for opus cos we opened 2 years ago with a festival called the 8 days of Christmas. we were young then and didnt know the ways of the world... (read running a restaurant), didnt have a liqour license (whats xmas without liquor, i say) but we managed to pull it off nonetheless...
last year, 2004, was bigger and better .. with a goan flea market, some great xmas goodies, and some of bangalores best musical talent ... choirs, bands, kissmass kroaknights, stand up comedy, pantomimes .. it was really special
we are in the process of figuring out what this year is gonna be like ..
the 8 days of christmas are from the 17th to the 24th of december ... not to leave anything to speculation, the theme this year will be christmas :D
so if there is anyone who would want to be part of it in any shape or form (talent, elves, sponsors)pls call/mail me..
a part of what we collect will go towards charity.

cheers
carlton

Christmas '03 & '04

get up...STAND UP

thursday: OPEN MIKE COMEDY NIGHTS
a mix of gags, parodies, stand up, videos, knock-knock jokes...
if u think u have it in you call / mail

fri nite: dj carlton
a classic mix of swing, rock n roll, retro and dance favorites.

saturday night live: C STREET BAND
domnic: sax, max: guitar/vocals, lester: bass. avinash: keys, victor: drums
swing, latin jazz, rock n roll.

wed & sun: KroaKnights
the biggest and the best karaoke nights in the city. pit yourself against the best voices in the city, and choose from over 7000 songs.
wed: if u wanna get more than one song in, or if u're the slightly inhibited sort
sun: is for the stars!!!

Sat Nite Live- 5th Nov,05

Wishing everyone Id Mubarak!


Sat nite Live: 'ASH
ASH is a experienced band covering Jazz , Rock , Pop , Standards , Dance and Nightclub music spanning six decades...

ERIC CASEY -Drums , Percussion , Vocals
CLIFTON ADRIAN- Guitars , Vocals
DENZIL BENTLEY -Trumpet , Vocals
PRASAANTH DAVIDSON- Bass , Guitars , Vocals
NOEL D’GAMA -Vocals , Guitars , Bass
Entry Rs 99/-

HAPPY DIWALI ... cracker of a week this!

wed & sun: KroaKnights
the biggest and the best karaoke nights in the city. pit yourself against the best voices in the city.
wed 2nd, will be a diwali special ... with some phatakas both on and off stage

sunday afternoons,
lazing on the mattresses, under swaying palms with some great spanish music brought to you by dj bipin
dress cool, dress colourful

mon & tues: rock bottom nights
beer pints at Rs 39/-, rock bottom prices on select alcohol, special rates on rocking starters, along with some great classic 70's rock bands, all under the stars!

fri nite: guest dj robbie banner
a classic mix of swing, rock n roll, retro and dance favorites.

For Reservation Call 9844030198/9845244610


ps: thursdays are gonna be comedy nights with amateur stand up acts and some all time great videos. will keep u posted.
if u want to be part of the action pls call / mail

Saturday Night Live

clockwise from left: avril quadros, carlton braganza, usha uthup, jana stanfield, preetam koilpillai, karan joseph, dee kahn, rajeev raja

clockwise from left: karan, pirpauke (finland), yves noel (flamenco), raman, imran, sraosh, elvis, shyam and mitzi (cabaret, uk)

more music

and more

the 8 days to Christmas

new years ..... the the insane hatters ball 2005

sunday brew: painting, chilling, scrabble, jammin

book readings, plays, dance performances, art exhibitions....

Holiday Weekend


29th Oct, sat nite live: shyam and elvis
from retro, disco, country to contemporary favorites, its a repetoire you just can't sit still to.

30th Oct, sunday afternoons,
lazing on the mattresses, under swaying palms with some great spanish music brought to you by dj bipin
dress cool, dress colourful

mon & tues: rock bottom nights
beer pints at Rs 39/-, rock bottom prices on select alcohol, special rates on rocking starters, along with some great classic 70's rock bands, all under the stars!

wed & sun: KroaKnights
the biggest and the best karaoke nights in the city. pit yourself against the best voices in the city.

28th Oct, fri nite: guest dj
a classic mix of swing, rock n roll, retro and dance favorites

sunshine sunday afternoons
lazing on the mattresses, under swaying palms chilling with a beer or a crazy cocktail, with some great spanish music brought to you by dj bipin
dress cool, dress colourful

fri nights guest dj

opus, #4, 1st main, chakravarthy layout, palace cross rd, bangalore 20
ph: 23442580

KroaKnights
Every Wednesday & Sunday 9.00pm onwards
The wildest karaoke nights in the city with 7000 songs to choose from, the city’s best voices can be heard on these nights.


For reservations call 9844030198 /9845244610

CHAMPAGNE ITEM NUMBERS

there is still no clarity on the licenses for live music or dancing ... yet the powers that be are really making us salsa, jive and twist in circles none-the-less. from the police commisioners office to the fire dept. to the bcc ... nobody knows their dash from their dash.

so, sat nites we thought we'd do a 'musical housie' (what the hell .. they are treating us like kids anyways, shutting us down at 11.30 ... so we might as well do things we enjoyed doing, when we had joy, fun and seasons in the sun) .. 9.00pm onwards ... ur chance to listen to some great tracks under the stars .. and win a bottle of the champagne.

some great responses have come thru on the 'LIVE IS DEAD' post. check it out and feel free to add to it if you also have a nerve that is twinged by this ridiculous governance of ours.
carltonbraganza.blogspot.com

monday blues are passe....

... MONDAY (and tuesday) ROCKS!!!
beer pints at Rs 39/-, rock bottom prices on select alcohol, special rates on rocking starters, along with some great classic 70's rock bands, all under the stars!
be there...
for beer and ..... ??
frank zappa
RESERVATIONS : 23442580