By Perdes Simplay

The idea behind Saathi Night came about when a group of friends came together in the hope of setting up a monthly club event aimed primarily at South Asian lesbian women and gay men living in Birmingham (UK). Almost in its 5th year, Saathi Night remains one of the most unique club events to venture out to on a Friday night situated in the heart of the Birmingham Scene.

Saathi Night has continued to go from strength to strength, increasing in size and reputation but also as a way of allowing the wider community to recognize the visibility of lesbian and gay people of colour. Initially, the response from venue owners was not particularly positive to say the least, yet we were not deterred in our quest to make this event happen. After relentless promotion up and down the country Saathi Night was finally given the opportunity to prove itself in the summer of 2001 at The Village. The event was a massive success and within only 6 months of launching it relocated to a bigger venue ‘COBS’ Sherlock St, where it continues to be held till this day.

	Saathi Night

In order to attract our target crowd, it was vitally important that there was strict music policy from the outset, by defining ourselves as only playing music that was of South Asian or of Black origin. By doing so we had catered for a portion of the gay and lesbian community who had no where else to go, giving them the freedom to express both their sexuality and culture in an environment that felt both safe and non judgmental.

Throughout the years, we have remained firm in our belief in playing quality music which represents us as gay and lesbian people living on the UK. More recently there has been a growing interest in South Asian music within the mainstream media which gives us even more potential as club promoters to expand and reach a wider section of people who may have previously been hesitant to experience going to a club night such as ours.

The influence and popularity of music from the sub continent especially Bollywood has had a dramatic influence in the expansion of Saathi Night, in becoming more than just a regular monthly event. Due to the demand we set about launching another club venture which had never been trialed before anywhere in the country. In January 2003, Saathi Night launched ‘Bollylicious’ at the legendry Nightingale Club, Birmingham. It even came with its own strap line ‘One Night for Every Season’. This was a new concept in clubbing, whereby each Bollylicious event would coincide with the start of each new season (spring, summer, autumn and winter). The launch was a no holds barred event in celebrating the glitz and glamour of Bollywood music both past and present, and as always our trusted and beloved devotees turned out in their hundreds and embraced it without question. Just after The launch, Bollylicious relocated to its new home at the superb plush and spacious surroundings of CLUB DV8, offering even longer opening hours with an additional room, for lovers of Desi beats and Bhangra.

Out of the demand for these nights came the natural progression for yet another club event, which would again promote and celebrate what is now referred to as Urban Music, from which we created ‘Addictive’. The idea was conceived out of a desire and demand to serve our thrusting public with more of what they were constantly asking dj’s to play, Ragga, RnB, Old School and the newly created genre of music, Desi Beats.

In only its short existence, Saathi Night has made a significant difference to the Birmingham Scene. Our continued dedication and commitment to the thousands that have supported us over the years is a small example of what can been achieved even when the odds are against you, and sets as a testimony to what we originally set out to do, which was to make a difference.

Images Courtesy Saathi Night