>From Houston and College Station: Take 45N to Dallas and exit 30 west from there. Take 35N and exit Northwest Highway and take a right at the signal and go down about 2 miles and then take a left on Straight Way Road (which is right before Olympic Pizza). If you pass Webb Chapel, you've gone too far and you should turn around and then take a right on Straight Way and the Crystal Ballroom 2 will be down the street on the left hand side.

Minimum age, 18, with ID; not allowed into the bar; 21 and up, free access with ID. Half cover price before 11 pm.

For information regarding admission and other details, call 1-888-448-6963.

Bhangramania in Houston

HOUSTON - So you thought the desi crowd here is all tame? Check out the '99 Bhangra Competition on September 4 at the Aerial Theatre. The organizers say they have received response from the following universities: Rice, Baylor, SMU, UT (2 teams), UNO, LSU, Johns Hopkins, Toronto (2 teams) They expect to get response from at least 10 more universities.

Offering Bhangra acts are performers from United Kingdom and India, including Sukhbir, Gal Ban Gayee, Hai Energy; Stereo Nation (Jhonny Zee), Jambo, Oh Carol; Bally Jagpal & B21.

The doors open at 7 pm. and the show will continue till midnight.

The official after-party will be held the next day on Labor Day Sun, September 5. (Venue and DJs to be announced.

With the help of corporate sponsors like Wallis State Bank, GTE Prime Communications and The Princeton Review, the organizers are offering the following prizes: $ 2,000, for the top winner, $ 1,000 and $ 500 for the second and third winners.

The competition will be aired on Sony TV and Network Asia Worldwide.

Hilton Southwest is offering rooms with double beds for $45 a night for upto four guests max per room. These rates are valid from September 3 to September 5 and you need to mention Bhangramania when making your reservations. The number for Hilton SW is (713) 977-7911.

Tickets have just gone on sale; they are available from Ticketmaster and local stores.

Tickets: $28 - General Admission (Open for all);$22 - All students must have valid ID cards.

Event Sponsors: East West International, Horizon Travels, House of Spices, Houston National Insurance Agency, Karat 22 Jewellers, Madras Pavilion, Rahul & I Music Store and Shriman Shrimati.

Groups must register by August 1. For registration information, please visit http://www.musicmasala.com or call Sunil Thakkar at (713) 241-1928 (sunilt@musicmasala.com).

Pure NRG at Polly Esthers

HOUSTON - Remember the password, Pure NRG. Announce it at the door and you pay just $3 for the cover. Doors open at 10 pm for the July 23 event that offers three varieties of music and dancing: on the first floor, '70s disco; on the second floor, 80 Retro and on the third, '90 current Jam and bass-pumping bhangra.

Minimum age for admission, 21. Bring your IDs.

Polly Esther, where the Pure NRG will take place, is located at 6111 Richmond Avenue.

For direction and other information regarding cover charge and dress code, email PureNRG123.aol.com.

Previous story: Two Indian Films At Asian American Film Festival

Tell us what you think of this report