LONDON
Bexley in South London experienced a taste of Goa on January 4 as the newly formed organising committee, the Afterparty Crew, hosted its debut event ‘Goa vibes: New Year’s Afterparty’.
The event was hosted at St John Fisher church hall in Bexley bringing together over 100 guests of all ages and from near and far. Many were from the local community, some from North London, Windsor and even Gloucester.
The Afterparty Crew was launched a few months ago to encourage more of the younger generation to attend Goan events to share the culture and enable people to get to know fellow Goans and partygoers. The committee team consists of a blend of generations and have a mission to create an inclusive space for people of all ages to come together and celebrate Goan traditions.
The sell out event ran from 6.30 pm to 11 pm, and the venue was filled with excitement and chatter, as guests met old friends and new. The leading band ‘Maz & Co.’ provided live music that had the crowd on the dance floor under the dazzling lights and disco ball. The group played a mix of classic tunes from ‘Dancing Queen’ to ‘Maria Pitache’. They even got the crowd forming a conga line as they danced through the hall with nearly everyone on the dance floor.
Alongside this, guests enjoyed authentic Goan cuisine from Suntop caterers who prepared a three-course meal including traditional dishes such as sorpotel and xacuti. Many attendees commented on how wonderful it was to have a Goan event in South East London and how refreshing it was to see a mix of generations attend the event to celebrate the new year together.
The evening also featured games for a chance to win spot prizes. This got guests running up to the stage to prove they were wearing the most rings or that they could say ‘Happy New Year’ in three different languages.
There was also a charity raffle to raise money for Shelter, a housing and homelessness charity. The committee chose this charity due to a rise in homelessness and the increased danger of being homeless as harsh winter temperatures hit. The raffle included a range of prizes, including luxury and wellbeing hampers, a meditation experience and a churros machine for the grand winner. Guests enthusiastically participated and were eager to support the cause, raising over £300 for the charity.
The Afterparty Crew thanked the band, caterers, bar staff and everyone who helped deliver and promote their first event.
The evening came to an end as guests were greeted by a picturesque sight of falling snow as they made their way home. This debut event marks an exciting start for the Afterparty Crew who are keen to return with more South-East London based Goan events in the future to encourage people of all ages to attend and experience the vibrancy and richness of Goan culture. The team has an Instagram account - @afterparty.crew, where they will be posting communications on future events.
