The wedding season in Goa has always been hectic; if families are receiving over ten cards
during the peak season, imagine the bookings for the bands, emcees and
photographers during this period of time! This all comes to a short stop during
the Lenten season, as Catholic weddings don’t take place during this season.
Started back in 1993 among good friends from Panjim, the band
Alcatrazz has been consistently one of the top bands in the state. Lead
guitarist and vocalist Cassian Fernandes explains the schedule during Lent:
“There are less number of events apart from a few conferences and shows.
Business is less during this time of the year. Also, all members are working
and they have their work schedule to follow. This is a good time to practice
and add new songs to our repertoire. During this season, we also do Gospel
concerts. The first concert of the season will be at Cruz De Milagres, Old Goa
on February 29, 2020 at 5:30pm. It will be an evening of adoration and music,
titled, ‘Sing to the King’. There will be three bands performing – Alcatrazz,
Brothers-in-Arms and Bandwagon. After all, whatever we have comes from God and
this is a small way of giving back.”
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The Master of Ceremonies is the one who can make or break a good
wedding reception. Royce Coutinho is one of the most sought after emcees in Goa
and he is already booked right up to 2023. An architect by profession, his
talent for fluency in communicating and getting the party started is not bound
by season. “There is no season as such as there are events throughout the year.
I usually do a lot of birthday parties and corporate gigs and Hindu wedding
receptions during Lent. I already have bookings for eight birthday parties in
March. There are birthday parties throughout the year but there is a drop in
weddings during Lent,” says Coutinho, who is known by his stage name Fish Curry
Rice.
Besides weddings in Goa, Coutinho has also been abroad to host
weddings in Dubai, Muscat and Singapore. “There is a trend to have a Goan band
and a Goan compere for weddings if it is in the Goan community. There is no
fixed formula on hosting a wedding. Every couple is unique and you can only
pray for a cute couple, a great band and great crowd to make things work,” he
says, adding that the peak season of Catholic weddings is October to January
and April-May.
Rozario Estibeiro has been on the wedding scene for years and
keeps innovating his artworks with new techniques in photography. “There are no
major events during Lent. However, there are christening parties in the first
two weeks of Lent and birthday parties. Though Lent is a short period, it gives
us enough time to edit the photos that we have clicked and get ready for the
April-May season. The monsoon season is a longer break for weddings from June
to October. There are conferences and corporate events happening throughout the
year and other small events,” says Estibeiro from Panjim.
The band Forefront has been keeping the music alive on many
dance floors for weddings. They have a wide range of songs and music and each
one is groovy enough to keep the crowd asking for more. Lent gives them enough
time to prep up for the season. “Bands don’t take a break. Only Catholic
weddings don’t happen during Lent unless it’s a special case. However, we play
for Indian weddings, corporate events, pubs and outstation shows. Playing music
is our job and it is our commitment towards the people who book us. During this
time, the schedule is not so busy with at least two shows a week,” says Seby
Diogo Pinto, bass guitarist for Forefront.
Raul with Raagas2Riches has been entertaining the crowd in Goa
with not only weddings but also major shows for events across the state,
including the recently held Red and Black dance at the Panjim Carnival. Manager
of Raul with Raagas2Riches, Aaron Teles, says, “Usually Lent is not an off
season for the band as there are pub shows in places like Cohiba and corporate
events besides destination weddings. The frequency is much lesser than the peak
season time. During the monsoons and Lent, we get time to practise new and
catchy songs for the upcoming season. We also practise new ballroom songs for
weddings as otherwise there will be no difference in the season gone by.”
With
enough time at hand, the professionals that make weddings successful will be
back with a new lease on their musical lives after the Lenten season
