All things Asian to be celebrated (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

All things Asian to be celebrated

THE first Swindon Mela is being organised by Swindon Borough Council's Artscape and is to take place in the Old Town Gardens, on Saturday, August 2 from 12noon to 6pm. Entrance will be free-of-charge.

"The Mela is going to be a fantastic day for individuals and families from all communities - it will give everyone a real insight into the different cultures of the Indian sub continent and it is a festival for everyone to enjoy," said Toby Rathbone, performing arts officer for Artscape.

In line with the world music theme of the bowl concerts in Old Town, the Mela will celebrate Asian music, dance, food and culture.

Attractions will include professional performers such as Melody Express (India) singing Bollywood songs, Dhol drumming and Bhangra dance from the Dholblasters and Nachdey Hasdey (Birmingham), the 'Indian wedding' brass band Bombay Baja, and North Indian Classical music from master tabla player Tapan Roy. Sounds will be supplied by Bhangra Beat .

The Mela will also include a full programme of performances by community groups from Swindon and the region.

As well as music and dance, audiences will have the chance to see an Asian fashion show and a spectacular display of Sikh Martial Arts, as well as Asian arts and crafts and the chance to take part in Bollywood and Bhangra dance workshops.

Authentic Punjabi and Gujarati food will be available, plus a variety of stalls selling a range of items from Asian clothes, fabrics, CDs and videos, to henna, dry spices, books, arts and crafts, plus hair braiding and Indian head massage.

For children, there will be a small funfair, a bouncy castle, 'Karts for Kids' and facepainting.

The event is being sponsored by the Wiltshire Police and is also supported by the University of Bath in Swindon, The Arts Council of Great Britain, BBC Radio Swindon and the Asian Arts agency.

In the evening, the award winning Bhangra band DCS will be performing at the Old Town Gardens Bowl.

This is a ticketed event and tickets are available now from the Arts Centre (01793) 614837 or Tourist Information Centre (01793) 530328.