Bhangra & Beats Night Market: Rhythm, Community and Culture
By Cayman Bentley, PVF Social Media Manager
For more than two decades, Nonstop Bhangra has been an artistic powerhouse in the Bay Area. The movement began when Dholrhythms Dance Company co‑founders Vicki Virk and Suman Raj teamed up with DJ Jimmy Love on their shared mission to bring the joy of Bhangra—the traditional harvest dance from Punjab—to a wider audience. What started as an invitation to friends to dance soon evolved into a multi‑genre production that blends live dhol drumming, folk dance and club beats. Together, the trio created Nonstop Bhangra, turning cultural celebration into an immersive experience that has welcomed thousands over the years.
As the founders explain, their production company encompasses a dance company, resident DJs and live dhol drummers, making it both an artist collective and a cultural home. Before COVID, they hosted monthly dance parties that drew people from across the Bay. When the pandemic slowed their monthly events, the group searched for new ways to gather and celebrate. The answer arrived through a partnership with Into the Streets, a grassroots organization focused on enlivening city life. Supported by the San Francisco Office of Economic & Workforce Development, the two groups launched the Bhangra & Beats Night Market, a free and family‑friendly street festival dedicated to revitalizing downtown and uplifting South Asian culture.
Their first event in spring 2023 drew an estimated 10,000 attendees, many of whom were long‑time followers of Nonstop Bhangra. The night market quickly proved its power to draw people back into downtown—a priority echoed in PVF’s own mission to support community initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods.
The Bhangra & Beats Night Market blends Punjabi culture with the rich diversity of Bay Area sounds. It features 18–20 food trucks and dozens of local vendors—many of them small businesses owned by people of color—serving everything from samosas to fusion street food. Visitors learn dance steps during the collective’s interactive lessons, watch performances by the DolRhythms Dance Company, and groove to DJ sets punctuated by live dhol drums. Guest performers add new flavors between sets, and the music shifts from Bhangra classics to other Bay Area beats to reflect the region’s cultural mosaic.
Nonstop Bhangra’s approach centers accessibility. The night market is free, all‑ages and invites anyone—Punjabi or not—to celebrate. For many South Asians in the Bay Area, it’s the rare opportunity to see their culture celebrated openly and vibrantly. The event’s success also supports San Francisco’s new “entertainment zone” initiative (the first in the state of California), allowing attendees to enjoy food and beverages outdoors while boosting nearby brick‑and‑mortar businesses.
Like many arts groups, Nonstop Bhangra faced funding uncertainties this year. Cuts to city budgets meant they could only produce two night markets in 2025—July’s festival and a Diwali‑themed celebration later this fall on October 24th. To continue bringing this joyful celebration downtown, the collective sought out Philanthropic Ventures Foundation for fiscal sponsorship, and Nonstop Bhangra is now a designated fund of PVF.
The Bhangra & Beats Night Market is more than a festival—it’s a testimony to the resilience of artists and the power of community. Over 10,000 people dance in the streets at each installment, revitalizing downtown San Francisco and showcasing the vibrancy of Punjabi culture. PVF is proud to partner with Nonstop Bhangra and Into the Streets as they build a sustainable future for this beloved event.
Together, we can keep the beat going and ensure that downtown San Francisco remains a place where everyone feels welcome to celebrate culture, community and joy.
