Todd & Reena take the Main Stage @ Galapagos.

Don't miss it. Show starts at 10pm.

peace- reena

Experiment: AVAAZ Initiated: Aug 2004 Objective: Unleashing global hybrids via live music, art + DJ culture

AVAAZ: an electro global discotek, brainchild of Gen-Om/High.Chai.Lab's resident dj/producer/vocalist, DK (aka Bollygirl), was hatched over 2 years ago as a natural progression of a conscious music and artistic journey. After preliminary discussions with like-minded cohorts, the first event was launched in LES-NYC in August 2004.

In an effort to create an experimental space where artists could come together with the freedom to create in real-time, musicians and DJs introduced a hybridization that culminated beyond the brewing Asian Massive scene - the overarching moniker many involved found themselves within.

Galvanizing global DJ culture with LIVE performances, DK and co-residents dimmSummer (Ethnotechno) + mistaCenzo enter Phase 3 - this time around with mtvU/Epic's Artist of the Year - Bamboo Shoots, on board as co-hosts. Rotating LIVE acts include Todd Michaelsen feat. Reena Shah, Ranjit (KILI), Joseph King Trio + a select roster of guest bands invited to share the stage by Bamboo Shoots - who have taken on curating the LIVE side of this fast-growing monthly. (See "the artists" section for complete bios, music + links...)

At any given AVAAZ, one can hear a gamut of genre-defying beats, sounds and experimental offerings, be it spoken, danced, sung or splattered on a painter's canvas. Whether a chill-out scenario, frenzied socio-political spews from the MC, or a DJ's groove-driven, dance-laden subterranean dhol-n-bass hummin' thru your veins , this interactive forum opens dialog to all in attendance.

Attracting a m?lange of eclectic beatminerz, this monthly gathering challenges attendees at every turn while offering an opportunity to embark upon a spontaneous musical detour. The vibe is a non-stop beat driven, (sub)bass-fueled-room charged and full of arse-shakin' madness.

After a special edition of AVAAZ (Year 1), featuring UK's legendary artist TJ Rehmi at Knitting Factory in December 2004, the event moved from LES to Karma and found it's home for 9 months creating a vibe that was unique on numerous levels. In it's original form with the Root Valdez Trio, keyboardist/producer mistaCenzo (Vince Schimel- GOONDA), Tinsaedu's BunnyB, djBoo (Juggaknots) and dimmSummer, the basic interactive structure was forged - what was fast becoming the "cocoon" whereby other percussionists, MCs, turntablists, live muralists and musicians would follow. AVAAZ Phase 1 was born! Phase 2 brought an interesting indo-jazz fusionistic element with Sunny Jain, curating a series of deft jam sessions via invited guests such as Bill Ware (Jazz Passengers/Roy Nathanson), Samita Sinha (KAASH), Rez Abassi (Kiran Ahluwalia) and Chauncey Yearwood sitting in. This 2005-2006 collaboration between Sunny Jain and AVAAZ (the monthly event) was perfectly timed, as it culminated in SJC's album, aptly (also) titled Avaaz.

As the LIVE experiment soared on, the AVAAZ Remix&Recording Sessions were the next organic step - a recorded celebration of collaboration, ideas and exchanges in their purest form. All recorded tracks (from each session) are shared online between collaborating artists/musicians in hopes of arrangements + subsequent remixes. The online AVZ library will be added onto this site with plans to result in a groundbreaking compilation culminating with the inherently communal vibe. The grassroots musical monthly that had been spontaneously created in the venue space was taken out of it's LIVE element and brought into the space known to us as "High Chai Lab" - the collaborative studio environment.

AVAAZ has been offered in it's SPECIAL EDITION formats at NYC venues such as Kush Lounge, Ruby, LeCaire, White Rabbit and PlanB with a who's who line-up featuring NY's underground. The event continues as a monthly (on the last Thursday of each month), celebrating record releases, book launches, art exhibits and some of the freshest music offerings in the city. We take the party for Summer 2007 to the Brooklyn side.

Guests at this monthly over the past 2 years have included Bamboo Shoots, Todd Michaelsen, FS Beatz, Reena Shah, Joseph King Trio, ATOMATI, DJ Big Wiz (Def Jux/AppSci), Sharmaji (Bollywood Dreams), JUNGLI, Bangle residents Bunny Love, djNihal + djDeep, SubSwara residents Dhruva/Sunder/Haj, MUTINY residents, Zakhm, Siraiki and DJ Rekha, KOBA, Orlando F (Deep Influence), MC's extraordinaire Napoleon Maddox aka MC NapSolo (Is.What?!), KXL, MC Daddy Frank + Roy Radics (Rudie Crew), Derek Beres (GlobeSonic), Sunny Jain Collective, Samita Sinha (KAASH), Root Valdez feat. Leslie Graves, Bunny B (Tinsaedu), and the LIVE artistry of CAM aka Craig Anthony Miller, just to name a few.

AVAAZ hosts a night with love...We offer guest artist's a LIVE setup + full backline/soundcheck, 2 Technics 1200's, 2 Pioneer CDJ 1000s, a Pioneer DJM500 mixer, Serato Scratch LIVE set-up (by request), a leisurely sound check, a warm and friendly space (with drinks on the house)...and carom boards...the rest is up to you!

One more thing...AVAAZ is FREE...