Stand up for the champions

Plus 4 more must-catch events

On: Saturday, 5.15 pm onwards
Where: Manchester United Cafe Bar, Palladium, Lower Parel.
Call: 43601111
Entry: Rs 900

Firstly, we owe the Chelsea fan an apology. They will have to make do with cheering for their team from homes and regular pubs, as their club battles it out with the Red Devils on Saturday. But fans of Manchester United can come together for some serious cheering (or booing) at the Manchester United Cafe Bar. Spirits will soar high with bottomless beer mugs, free-flowing colas, juices and even cuss words, if you please. It might not be Old Trafford, but it's definitely the closest you can get to bonding with fellow Red Devils, as you stay glued to the mammoth 19-inch screen. Settle your behind on the Manager's Bench and pay tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson or clink your mugs and backslap strangers on the long community club. And if the team scores, don't be surprised to see mad fans swinging their tees and dancing on the table-tops as Glory, Glory, Man United, blares from the speakers. Get up and join the madness, we say.

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, NOW PLAYING IN THE CITY
On: Friday, 10.30 am onwards
Where: Sacred Heart Church, Santacruz (W). The climax crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus scenes will be near St. Anthony's Church, Vakola at 2.30 pm.
Every year on Good Friday, thousands gather at Santacruz to watch a street play enactment of the betrayal of Jesus by his disciple, Judas, followed by his crucifixion and resurrection. Organised by the Catholic Secular Forum for the 22nd year in a row, the Stations of the Cross team will be putting up an enactment that will see a serpentine procession with thousands fasting, praying and suffering the walk. They will pass through the Golibar Subway, onto the Western Express Highway, into the lanes of Santacruz East, towards the Kalina-Kurla villages and back to Vakola, after having trekked 12 long kilometres for the final scenes. The dramatic sequences are described with 15 songs accompanied with special effects for the climax scenes.
Another procession starts at the Our Lady of Salvation Church (more famously known as the Portuguese Church at Dadar) around 9 am and winds up at the same place around noon. It takes you through the last few moments in Jesus' life and his journey while he carried the cross. A cast of 25-30 youngsters strive to spread his word. You don't need to be a Christian to witness this interesting chronicle.


LET THESE KIDS GIVE YOU A HEADY CHOCO RUSH
On: Today, 12 pm onwards
Where: The Oberoi Mall, Oberoi Garden City, off Western Express Highway, Goregaon (E).
April 2, according to the United Nations calendar, is World Austism Awarness Day and is dedicated to children with autistic disorders. This year, Sopan Trust, an organisation founded by parents of autistic children, has tied up with Oberoi Mall to host an all-day celebration in honour of this day. The festivities will be inaugurated by MP Priya Dutt at 12 noon, after which there will be a film screening and a street play by these kids from Sopan Trust that will focus on spreading awareness about autism. There will also be a host of other fun activities for children, including hair-braiding and pot-painting. Pick up beautiful craft items and handmade chocolates made by the Trust kids.


MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY GOING ON A SHOPPING SPREE!
On: Friday and Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm
Where: Joss, 30, Kalaghoda, K Dubash Marg, opposite Jehangir Art Gallery, Fort.
Loosening your purses trings doesn't always have to be followed with an onslaught of guilt. For the shopaholic in you, two city girls have come together to create an experience that will diminish, if not erase, the guilt quotient. They have organised a luxury shopping exhibition, Aarna, that comprises forty stalls that display everything, from home du00e9cor accessories to clothes, shoes and furnishings. Support the cause of under-privileged kids by stopping over at a stall lent to Aseema. Pick up household products like coasters, mugs and trays made by these kids. If the swirl-sniff-sip routine interests you, hop in for a free mini wine appreciation workshop by Good Earth Wineries at 7 pm on both days, albeit with a maximum capacity of 30 people. At the end of your shopping spree, unwind in one of their special salon exhibits and get treated to a complimentary manicure, pedicure or blow-dry.


ATTEND MIDNIGHT MASS AT A NIGHT CLUB
On: Saturday, 10 pm
Where: Zenzi Mills, Todi Mills Compound, Lower Parel.
Call: 24345545
Their band name opens up to read, Basic Love of Things (BLOT). A collective of music producers, filmmakers, artists and designers from Delhi, these guys view performance from the perspective of creating imaginative, immersive spaces for music and dance. Whatever that means. May be this will gig give you a clearer idea of the creative, crazy stuff they do. On the eve of Easter, these guys will do projection mapping on the night club facade to make it resemble a church, as part of their event, Midnight Masses. Inside, a legend to the German and European electronic music scene, DJ Andru00e9 Gardeja will be getting his Sound Tamasha from Berlin to the nightclub. Expect only the best in Minimal, Techno, Progressive, Psydub, Breakbeat and Percussion. And we hear the waiters and waitresses might be dressed like choir boys and girls. Sweet!