Hosting a private party? Hire a musician or a dance troupe

BENGALURU: Uptown parties in the city have found a new addition to increase the glamour quotient-musicians, comedians and even dance troupes to entertain guests.At birthdays, anniversaries, bachelorettes, landmark occasions and non-occasion soirees, performances by such artists are becoming as much a party essential as the food, décor and venue.

"A private party must be different from a night club," said fashion designer Sarita Mandoth, who had musician Behram Siganporia's band `Best Kept Secret' perform at her 40th birthday bash. "A performer energises the party ," she said.

Likewise, socialite Amrita Gokani ensures her lunch dos always have an engaging activity--a tarot or mind reader, handwriting analyst or a guitarist. For their 25th wedding anniversary bash, the Gokanis flew down a band from Goa and a belly dancer from Russia.

The trend has picked up dramatically this year. Siganporia said his band has already done more private shows in 2015 than in 2013 and 2014 put together.

"Budgets were always huge for wedding entertainment. However, private party budgets have escalated too," he said.

Siganporia's four-member band, which charges Rs 2 lakh for an hour's gig, recently performed at industrialist Gautam Singhania's 50th birthday celebration in Shimla.

Comedy as a genre, too, has had a buildup in soiree circles. "The internet entertainment boom--AIB, TVF Pitchers and standup acts-contributed to this trend," said radio prankster Danish Sait who is a popular host at private parties. He recently hosted restaurateur Rohit Hemdev's wedding party and is set o host a white wedding in Hong Kong in October.

Guests are revelling in the new trend.

As luxury events specialist Sheetal Sharma said, "The celeb quotient of Bengaluru's private party circle is low. We don't have Bollywood gentry here. And hiring a celebrity DJ is obsolete. So an en ertaining performance is a crea ive way to add glitz to a party."