MELA 21 – The UK’s FIRST Mela celebrates 21 Years!
The Mela scene started off in Nottingham over two decades back, and has since enjoyed huge success within the UK. This year we bring it back to where it all started – Nottingham, for a very special gathering to celebrate 21 years of Mela.
There will be two stages hosted by BBC Asian Network’s top presenters for the event in Nottingham city centre, with performances taking place in Old Market Square’s Main Stage & Fountain Arena, hosted by Adil Ray and Nikki Bedi with Pathaan, Sonny-ji and DJ Kayper spinning the decks. The Royal Centre Stage will host a showcase bonanza, promoting the best of local talent from Nottinghamshire, the East Midlands and the UK, with dance performances also taking place at Nottingham Playhouse’s Sky Mirror.
The site in Old Market Square will be transformed into a Bazaar hosting many speciality stalls selling Asian arts, textiles, music and freshly prepared Indian food. The event and days leading upto Mela will be highlighting the best of local talent, as well as showcasing creative work and art from members of the local community.
THREE SITES:
>> Old Market Square 12 – 6.30pm
>> Royal Centre 12.30 – 5pm
>> Sky Mirror @ Nottingham Playhouse 12 – 4.30pm
Mela 21 – For the the best in Pop, R'n'B, Bollywood, Bhangra, Dance, Qawwali and Fusion. This event has been co-produced by New Art Exchange and Nottingham Asian Arts Council, in association with the BBC Asian Network. It's gonna be Fun, Funky, and best of all FREE
MELA 21 LINE-UP – CONFIRMED SO FAR:
** JAZZY B
** AKADEMI
** NAJMA AKHTAR
** NIRAJ CHAG
** JAZ DHAMI
** SANDEEP RAVAL
** SARAH SAYEED
** ADIL RAY
** NIKKI BEDI
** FIPA – DANCING GODS
** PATHAAN
** SONNY-JI
** DJ KAYPER
** NUPUR ARTS
** MANUSHI DANCE
** SUBLIME
** DJ LIMELIGHT
** KANDIMAN
** ORCHESTRA NAVRANG
** VASUKI SANSKRUTIK – All the way from India
+ Many More Artistes TBC