Non Stop Bhangra is an experience worth the trip to San Francisco

by Mr. E

Here’s something I discovered last weekend: Indian music is amazing.

Here are some other things I learned: the Dhol is a two-sided drum, DJs who can fuse house, hip hop, and funk into a set are super talented, and Bhangra is a dance which meshes all of this goodness into one!

As you’ve probably guessed by now, I like to keep on the move and find things that may not be on other people’s radars. My idea of a good time is finding out that my feet work and my hips don’t lie (thank you, Shakira).

I recently found out about a group based in San Francisco by the name of Non Stop Bhangra (it’s pronounced “bong-ra”). They’ve been hosting monthly events in the city for over 12 years. Their mission is to provide a healthy environment for people of all cultures to come together for an evening of music, dance, and other artistry. The part that caught me by surprise is that one of the organizers is right here from Fresno. Vicki Virk is a transplant who moved away and has created a niche unlike any other within San Francisco.

Non Stop Bhangra installments consist of a Bhangra dance lesson followed by performances and then dancing to a DJ. It’s more than just a night at the club, I promise you.

The next NSB night will be Friday, Aug. 4. Bhangra producer Panjabi MC, who mixes traditional Punjabi music with hip hop, R&B, & dance, will be the guest DJ. Here is how the event is described on the website:

Non Stop Bhangra crew will be in the house to share the usual colorful and vibrant energy with the dance lesson and beautiful dance performances by Dholrhythms Dance Company, DJ sets with NSB’s own DJ Jimmy Love, Rav-E, and DJ Nix alongside emcee Seti-X on that lyrical vibe with live dhol drumming all night. Beyond sound and dance, Non Stop Bhangra caters to your eyes all night with visuals by DJ Amar and live painting by Marcus Murray, while NSB photographer Odell Hussey captures the magic.

It really is a unique experience. The venue, Public Works SF, pulls you in from the moment your Uber driver drops you off and you start walking up to the building.

It could have been the energy, it could have been the cool breeze, it could have even been the fact I was nervous doing something out of the norm; whatever it was, there was a reason I found it, liked it, and decided that you have to give it a try, too.

Next time you’re in San Francisco and want to experience something unique, you have to check out Non Stop Bhangra. C’mon Fresnans—I promise you’ll have a great time. Oh, and tell them Mr. E sent you!

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FresYes Writing Team

We say “Yes and” to our community, which we love to work and live in. We always speak positively about our growing business, each other and the Fresno community. We are proud to support local businesses, engage in what’s happening in our community and lovingly participate in as many volunteer activities as we can as individuals and as a collective group. We are generous and we are proud to give back.

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