Calling all bathroom singers

When karaoke first hit Pune more than half a decade ago,those in their teens rushed to give their voices a fair chance before an audience. But then,who hasn’t succumbed to cold feet and stage fright? “It took me more than two months of regular attendance and more than three or four vodka shots to finally muster the courage to go up on stage and sing my favourite songs,” laughs Simran Bajaj as she recounts her experience of attending the karaoke nights at Not Just Jazz by the Bay.

In the last couple of years,other restaurants like 11,East Street Cafe,Toons and High Spirits have hopped on to the karaoke bandwagon,with Not Just Jazz by the Bay being the first to devote three nights to this singing fiesta. While the pros efficiently took the microphone and belted out one applause-worthy track after another,the less confident ones remained in the audience. So the best trick was put in place – that of giving incentives.

Not Just Jazz by the Bay started with offering free movie tickets for the multiplex where the restaurant is situated and that became a huge hit with amateur singers. Says Neelam Jain,another frequent visitor,“They would even play popular commercial tracks in between and give out prizes for the best dancer! It used to be great fun. We would go in large groups for both the English and Hindi karaoke nights,so that we could win maximum prizes!”

The creatively done up ‘11,East Street Café’,with its dessert bus and eating lane that resembles a posh international shopping hub,is where one can hear diners crooning away to glory. “We started karaoke fairly recently,about six months ago. Our clientele includes students and elders alike. After all,the incentive is complimentary shots for all the participants – who wouldn’t want those?” smiles Joravar Sachdev,director,11,East Street Café. With a list of English tracks available,this eatery makes sure that the host for the evening,urges people at all tables to give their hidden talent a chance.