Goan communities across the world will host various events to celebrate Easter. THE GLOBAL GOENKAR provides details on some of these events in the UK, US, France and Karachi.
SOUTHAMPTON
Golden Goa Association, Southampton (GGAS) will organise the Easter Dance Charity Event 2023 at St Boniface Church Hall, Shirley, Southampton UK on Easter Sunday from 1 pm to 5.30 pm.
DJ Zack, a top Goan entertainer will be in attendance. The event will be compered by seasoned compere and radio presenter RJ Roque Vaz, who is also the current President of GGAS.
The highlight of the event is the Easter Queen Contest. The event is totally a free-entry extravaganza with attendees bringing their own food to share with the community. There will be an award for the Best Dressed Couple and loads of spot prizes. The dress code is donning one’s national attire. Different communities will be participating in the event. There will be a Raffle, the entire proceeds of which will be donated to the St Boniface Church.
The event is sponsored by Joe Valent Braganza, a popular promoter of Goan Cultural events including Tiatrs in the United Kingdom.
SWINDON
Goan Chaplaincy Swindon will host the fourth annual ‘Easter Day Chaplaincy Dance’ at the Punjabi Community Centre, Kembery Park, Swindon, on April 9 from 6 pm onwards.
This event, which is being organised by the Goan Chaplaincy after a gap of three years on account of the Covid pandemic, provides time to share some moments of love, concern and solidarity.
Music will be provided by ‘Rainbows End’, while there will be raffle prizes and children games. Homemade food will be provided by leading caters in Swindon. The compere for the evening will be Sheela D’Costa.
The main coordinator is Fr Lucas Rodrigues, the Goan Chaplain to the Community and the organising team consists of the Chaplaincy members along with Fr Mark Luis and Fr Francis Colaco.
SOUTH LONDON
An Easter Monday Dine & Dance will be organised at Sutton United Football Club, Sutton, Surrey, on April 10 from 1 pm to 8 pm.
The event will feature a popcorn mix band (3 ex-members of Finesse band), DJ Jonathan Barreto and Emcee Bunty Vas. Traditional Goan catering will be provided by Bernie’s Kitchen. There will be Easter games and prizes.
The event is organised by Lavinia Rodrigues and hosted by Serena Rodrigues e Gracias and Melanie Rodrigues.
WEMBLEY
The Wembley Easter Dance will be organised at St John’s Community Hall, Crawford Avenue, Wembley on April 9 from 6.30 pm to 12 am.
Music will be provided by the band ‘Coastline’, DJ ACJ, solo band ‘Noywen’, Polly de Curtorim and Menino Mario (Golden voice of Goa Tiatrist), while Joyce will be the compere.
The organisers of the event are Joyce De Souza, Elvis Fernandes and Reggie Dsouza in association with Goans for Goa in the UK.
CALIFORNIA
CalifornianGoans will present an Easter get-together at Los Altos, California on April 9 from 11 pm onwards.
Live Music will be provided by ‘The Wolves’ (featuring Nadia and Alfred), DJ Sunny and DJ Roy. The comperes will be Ruie and Anunsya. Deco will be by Drina, while Angelo will be the main photographer. There will be spot prizes, kids goodie bags, card game, open buffet and bar.
PARIS
The Goan Association in Paris will organise an Easter celebration at Paroisse Saint Leon 1, Place du Cardinal Amette, Paris on April 9 at 12.30 am.
The Mass in Konkani will be celebrated by Fr Anderson Fernandes who will come specially from Rome.
After the Mass, there will be a dance and buffet of Goan food with dessert, tea, coffee and Goan sweets. The get-together includes cutting of the Easter cake, distribution of Easter chocolates to children, prizes with housie, tombola and lottery games.
Music will be provided by DJ Remedios Fernandes, while the compere will be Viona Cardozo.
The event is organised by Goan Association in Paris President Camilo Cardozo and his committee members.
KARACHI
The Goinkars' Own Academy (GOA) in Karachi will present the Easter Charity Ball at the Beach Luxury Hotel (Jasmine Hall) on April 23 from 8 pm onwards.
Music will be provided by a live band featuring Lenny Massey, Jana Nazareth, Noel, Gerald Fernandes and Farrukh, while there will be DJ Music by Jude Johannes, Alystair Anthony & Ronald Anthony.
