Bhangra, an infectious folk music and dance style from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, has slowly crept into the mainstream club scene. The driving force behind this increase in popularity are the South Asian DJs of Great Britain and North America, who took this traditional form and infused it with the programmed sounds of hip-hop, dancehall, and techno. One of the most well-known names in this movement is DJ Rekha (pictured), a New York-based artist who is bringing her international grooves to the Black Cat on Saturday.

“There’ll be a strong leaning on bhangra,” she said of her upcoming performance, “but it’s open to go anywhere.”

Saturday’s show will be the latest iteration of Basement Bhangra, a dance fest that normally takes place the first Thursday of every month at S.O.B.’s in New York. The party, now in its tenth year, has given Rekha an international reputation within the club circuit and has also provided the fuel for the rhythmic explosion of Rekha’s debut CD, which shares the same name.

“The goal was to re-create the experience of the party,” she said. While many believe that Rekha caters mainly to the South Asian community, that is a misconception that she is quick to dismiss. “My following is not just South Asian. I developed a following and felt like the community jumped on later.”