Mela 2007 UK Listings

September 2007

Sat 1 Sep & Sun 2 Sep

Edinburgh Mela - History and History
The Edinburgh Mela is not an attempt to recreate a south Asian mela. What is possible is to bring many aspects of the south Asian traditions and those of other cultures into a modern Scottish environment - and make something beautiful and natural. The late international star Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan topped the bill at the first Edinburgh Mela. In many ways Nusrat reflected what the Mela is aspiring to become. Steeped in traditional Sufi culture with music that goes back centuries, Nusrat was also breaking down barriers by linking his music to modern trends and working with musicians from east and west. Nusrat saw no barriers. Coming to a mela in Edinburgh you are immediately aware of collective celebration in the colourful costumes of the people and in the arts and crafts. You are quickly immersed in the bazaar where you will smell the aromas of the east. Traders sell clothes, fabrics, jewellery, crafts and many other items. You can mingle with people from Scotland and abroad. You might see a colourful 16-year old Rajasthani dancer with nine pots balanced on her head. You might see giant puppets from Lahore. You might see acrobatic boy dancers from eastern India. And every year you will see groups from Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland - people from diverse cultures living here, continuing and developing the traditions of countries from which they or their parents have come. You will also come across henna painting, an increasingly popular body art. You might find an astrologer. Or a high flying aerial performer. The kids will find lots to do. There are places just to rest and chat - perhaps the most important activity at the mela. Every year it is growing as more people bring new ideas to an already dynamic mix. Edinburgh Mela seeks partnerships at home and abroad with like-minded individuals and organisations to help create new opportunities. Flexibility allows us to respond to new ideas. As the Mela grows into maturity, this young organisation will change and develop.
Queen Margaret University College, All-day, Adm: free, Tel: 0131 339 3583, www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk

TBC

Leicester Asian Arts Festival
Dates and programme details are yet to be confirmed
Abbey Park, Adm: free, Tel: 0116 222 1905.

Sun 2 Sep

Newham Under the Stars
As the sun goes down the music’s turned up. Catch the hottest desi talent around Under the Stars. Every year we hold Under the Stars, a four day live music event, representing the diverse communities in Newham. This year’s event will be held in Central Park from Thursday 31 August to Sunday 3 September, with a grand firework display finale on the Sunday. Always one of Under the Stars’ most popular evenings, watch this space for a stunning line-up sponsored by the BBC.
Central Park, 6.30pm until 11pm, Adm: free, Tel: 0208 430 2000, www.newham.gov.uk

Sun 2 Sep

Loughborough Mela
Loughborough Mela Council is proud to announce that after the success of last year’s Mela, they are in a position to hold the event again this year. The Mela last year attracted approximately 3000 people, with the majority of visitors saying they had a great day and that it should be held again next year. The theme of the Mela last year was “People in Harmony” and members at a recent meeting agreed to adopt this as a vision for the Mela for years to come.
Southfields Park, All-day, Adm: free, Tel: 01509 261 651, www.charnwoodrec.org

Sun 2 Sep

Regents Street Festival
Regents Street comes to a stand still for the best in British Asian music.
Regent Street, All-day, Adm: free, Tel: 0207 152 5852, www.regentstreetonline.com

Fri 7 Sep – Sun 9 Sep

Bestival
See out the festival season in style, with Bandish Projekt, Nathan Flute Box, Sona Family, Jah Wobble and a Bollywood Bar. Bestival 2007 takes place between Friday 7th and Sunday 9th September at Robin Hill Countyside Adventure Park near Newport on the lovely Isle of Wight. Gates open 10am Friday morning. There is no Thursday camping. However, there is an alternative nearby campsite you may use on Thursday should you wish - see the ‘Thursday Camping’ info elsewhere in this section. Gates close midday Monday 10th September. No entry into the site after midnight on any night. As of 2pm on Thursday 10th May there are less than 500 tickets remaining. Main arena will open at midday (tbc) each day & shut at 3am on Friday & Saturday night and 1am on Sunday night.
Robin Hill, All-day, Adm: varies, Tel: 08700 667753, www.bestival.net

Sun 9 Sep

Luton Mela
With two music stages and four sound system sites at the carnival there’ll be music to suit all tastes, so listen out for world music, South American, Caribbean, Asian, Irish and Afro-Jazz sounds. It’s time to limber up, dust off your whistles ready and don your dancing shoes for Luton’s biggest street party! With over 100,000 people expected to attend, it’s going to be a great day out for all the family with activities and entertainment across the town centre and in Wardown Park to suit all ages. Communities and groups locally and from outside the town have never failed to deliver spectacular costumes, and this year will be no exception, bringing the town centre alive with their colourful creations. Music lovers will not be disappointed. With two music stages featuring international and national artists, local musicians and four sound sites there will be sounds to suit all tastes. There are also street entertainers, over 100 festival stalls, food traders and funfair amusements for children to add to the carnival buzz. New for 2007 is the Carnival Village hosted by the UK centre for Carnival Arts featuring arts activites, educational workshops, steel pans, drumming, calypso music and dance. As always, this year’s parade is set to impress first time and regular carnival goers with more than 50 different groups, clubs, schools, societies and communities taking part, bringing over 2000 people together in an eye catching, breath taking procession, demonstrating the diverse mix of arts, music and culture. And with the masquerade groups, sound trucks, steel bands, DJs and stilt walkers, this will be one of the best parades the town has ever seen. The parade will assemble in Wardown Park, but accompanying vehicles will gather on New Bedford Road where the procession will move off at 1.30pm. The revamped St George’s square will be a great place for people to see parade groups performing their lively dance routines and the parade judging point and performance area will be in a new location adjacent to the Moor.
St. George Square, All-day, Adm: free, Tel: 01582 87 81 00, carnival@luton.gov.uk or www.luton.gov.uk/carnival

Back to top