Greetings Curry Lovers!

Have you noticed how "networking" seems to be the buzz word of the moment? Well OK, it is in our office. So now, every champagne reception, party and booze-up down the pub is an opportunity to "network". London Mayor, Ken Livingstone was networking with the Banglatown Restaurant Association earlier this week (funny we thought he'd popped out for a lunch time curry in Brick Lane?) when launching his latest 'Totally London - Totally Banglatown' campaign. As this promotion offers a 15% discount in nearly thirty Brick Lane curry houses, this one might be worth a click for all you foodies out there. Three dynamic Asian Women - Manisha Dahad, Vimmi Singh and Parminder Vir OBE - have also got together this week to form an Asian Women's Network. The launch event on 4th June at one of London's newest eateries 'The Cinnamon Club', is open to MEN and WOMEN although there are only 10 tickets left.

KEN LIVINGSTONE LOVES CURRY	DYNAMIC ASIAN WOMEN'S NETWORK
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone was photographed tucking into a curry at the launch of the biggest restaurant promotion the capital has ever seen. read more	Asians Manisha Dahad, Vimmi Singh and Parminder Vir, OBE, have co-founded a new Dynamic Asian Women's Network (DAWN). The first event takes place on June 4th at The Cinnamon Club in London and will be featuring Perween Warsi & Archie Panjabi. read more

One network not open to men is the annual Asian Women of Achievement Awards (we think it would defeat the object of the exercise if it were!) which this year recognised Gurinder Chadha and Tanika Gupta among others. Whilst we were in the mood for partying we also wangled an invitation to the EMMA launch Party which at least has the decency to be called a party!

AWA AWARD WINNERS 2003	EMMA AWARDS 2003 LAUNCH PARTY
Director of hit film 'Bend it Like Beckham', Gurinder Chadha, was honoured on Thursday 8th May 2003 at the fourth Asian Women of Achievement Awards ceremony that recognised eight winners. read more	If the launch party is anything to go by, then this year's EMMA (Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy) Awards ceremony will have more stars than seats. Friday's launch brought together a host of stars and nominees. read more

Sadly, one "network" that continues to grow is that of the Asian underworld. Claire Alexander, author of the book entitled 'Asian Gangs' discusses her research in a new youth work video exploring the myths and realities of Bengali 'gangs' in Tower Hamlets, East London. Meanwhile Manish Patel's team who produced the multicultural gangster movie 'Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees' were in Cannes this week...no doubt enjoying the networking opportunities offered by Europe's largest film festival.

GANGSTERS FOR LIFE?	TRIADS, YARDIES & ONION BHAJEES
Two years after the Northern riots, the protests seem to have achieved little. The young men at the heart of the storm remain curiously elusive figures their voices unheard and their needs unmet. read more	Dubbed as a multicultural gangster movie, 'Triads, Yardies and Onion Bhajees', by London-based director Sarjit Bains, is being shown at the Cannes film festival. read more

The trouble with partying (sorry...I mean networking) is that you need virtually a new outfit every week (well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!). But where do you go to get that dressed-up look without getting a "dressing down" from your bank manager? London's Atlantis Gallery in the East End will solve all of these problems next Thursday 29th May 2003, when it plays host to the Asian Dreams Fashion Show & Exhibition. Newcomers like Asha, Nigina and Pasha Razzo (if you don't know who they are...then you definitely need to be there) are joined by firm favourites Chiffons, Khubsoorat, Daminis and a host of others. Redhotcurry.com is delighted to be working with Asian Dreams to showcase the best of British Asian Design talent. Organisers of the event tell us that only 100 tickets remain, so those who want to buy new outfits or find THAT special wedding saree should make haste and call 0845 650 4244. And did I mention the best bit, it's FREE. Yep, it's FREE. Those more inclined to create their own outfits can enter the now established MELA 2003 Young Designer competition.

'ASIAN DREAMS': 29TH MAY	MELA 2003 YOUNG DESIGNER COMPETITION
The Asian fashion industry alone claims approximately one third of the total £300 million p.a. wedding market. A fact which the organisers of 'Asian Dreams' hope to draw attention to with their one-day fashion event on 29th May 2003. read more	The annual search for fresh new design talent continues with the Mela 2003 Young Designer Competition which invites anyone aged between 16 and 25 to create an outfit that reflects the fusion of both Asian and Western fashion. Closing date for entries is 8th August. read more

And talking of melas, we are now entering the MELA season. 'Destinasian' is Croydon ClockTower's tribute to emerging South Asian Arts and runs from 6 -16 June. The Pakistan High Commission in partnership with The Bestway Foundation, is to host 'Rhythms of the Indus' on 18th June at The Royal Albert Hall in celebration of Pakistan's rich cultural heritage. Bradford will show how it celebrates cultural diversity with the Bradford International Festival from 12-22 June and we can then come back to Croydon to celebrate London's largest mela on Sunday 20th July.

DESTINASIAN- 6 - 15 JUNE	RHYTHMS OF THE INDUS, 18 JUNE
Croydon Clocktower is delighted to present DESTINASIAN, a showcase of emerging Asian arts. The festival will feature Sanchita Farruque in concert, Shamaa Dance Company & the Naach theatre Company. read more	Pakistan is set to lift the veil on its rich cultural heritage this Summer with a world-first arts event at London's Royal Albert Hall on 18th June. The evening will be hosted by actor Art Malik and TV presenter Atiqa Odho. read more
BRADFORD FESTIVAL, 12-22 JUNE	CROYDON MELA, 20TH JULY
Bradford is preparing for the biggest ever Bradford International Festival with more than 300,000 people expected from 12 - 22 June 2003. With the overriding theme of Love, Bradford will show how it celebrates diversity. read more	London's largest Mela is back - The Croydon Mela will take place on Sunday 20th July at Lloyd Park, Croydon from 1pm - 8pm. The line-up includes The Asli Bollywood Band, Panjabi MC, Sonia Panesar with rapper Ravi Rai, Revive & Loveleena among others . read more

All this partying....sorry networking....is hard work, but someone's got to do it. Hope you can join me. Don't forget that there are only 100 tickets left for the FREE Asian Dreams Fashion Show & Exhibition on Thursday 29th May 2003. I suggest you call 0845 650 4244 immediately.

Until next time,
Lopa Patel (Editor - redhotcurry.com)

PS. Our special free gift offer for new users who sign-up is simmering nicely, so why not tell a friend to sign-up? They might be grateful for the suggestion.