(Top to bottom) Bulgarian band ERA performs at Big Ben; DJ Austin powers the pre-Derby party at Royal Calcutta Turf Club; actress June with winners of the Toys Hungama Festival at Shoppers? Stop. Pictures by Sanjoy Chattopadhyaya and Pradip Sanyal

If you thought you?ll have to wait till next year to do the late night grind in style again, check out the fusion fare at the Kenilworth.

Tune in to the Bulgarian band ERA at Big Ben and then cap it off with some sizzling Indian khana at Sanjha Chulha donning a dhaba theme on Saturdays.

ERA?s repertoire in Calcutta includes everything from Bryan Adams and Celine Dion to Abba, Boney M and Cliff Richard, depending on the mood of the crowd.

The Bulgarian band can sing in Spanish as well and has toured widely in countries like Oman, Dubai and Australia. Destination next: Nepal.

?We request people to come and hear our beautiful music. We have a new song list for each day of our stay here till January 15,? promised Krassimir Vassilev, a member of the band.

And after your fill of the soul food at the pub, you can top your Saturday night sojourn at Sanjha Chulha that is serving dhaba-style grub in elaborate thalis offering a wholesome fare of tandoori roti, kebab, daal makhani, one quarter of a tandoori chicken, masala chai and kulfi.

There are vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, with the veg thali priced at Rs 130 and the non-veg at Rs 150.

Horse power

Killer stilettos kicked off the fun on Friday evening before hooves kick up dust at the Eveready Calcutta Derby Stakes on January 9 at Royal Calcutta Turf Club.

?It is a traditional practice to throw a party before the Derby takes place. It is on this occasion that the club announces the details of the race and unveils the cup,? said Boman Parekh, club secretary.

The horses would be vying for the biggest prize money of Rs 3 lakh on Sunday.

The first Derby in Calcutta was held in the year 1842 but it was granted official status only in 1959 when a horse called Wiseman had won the race.

Cut to the present, and the vast members? enclosure at the club was the seat of all action with members and their guests having a blast to DJ Austin?s beats.

Add to it singer Tritha Sinha?s renditions of Bin tere sanam and Mama mia and revellers seemed keen to carry on till the horses were to take the tracks.

Amid all the partying, a thought was spared for the tsunami victims and a donation of Rs 2,50,000 was announced for the cause.

Toy story

Post-Christmas, a couple of lucky kids encountered a lady Santa in actress June at Shoppers? Stop on Saturday afternoon.

Hot Wheels Track set, Barbie inflatable furniture and a host of other goodies were in store for the little winners of the Toys Hungama Festival, held at the Shoppers? Stop outlets in Forum and City Centre between December 16 and January 2.

Organised in association with Hungama TV, the fest offered free toys on purchases in multiples of Rs 600 made from the toys? section of the store. The winners were decided by a draw of lots.

Tarun Ranga from Howrah received a Hot Wheels Track set as first prize, while the second prize of Barbie inflatable furniture was bagged by Shreena Kundu from Southern Avenue.

Monopoly Board Games and Wizard Boy of Harry Potter were among the consolation prizes for kids who did not make it to the prized list.