Tunbridge Wells Mela, Calverley Grounds

Sunday 20 July 12-5pm

Music, food and dance from around the world will be on the menu at the third Tunbridge Wells Mela on Sunday July 20 at the Calverley Grounds between 12pm and 5pm. The free event is expected to attract a large audience, who will witness performances and be able to taste food from around the world, including Britain, India, Ireland, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Russia and Brazil.

The performances on stage will include:

12 noon Glenduart Pipe Band
An energetic performance of Highland Bagpipes

12.35pm Premier Brass Band
Classic tunes by the Kent based brass band

1.10pm Angela Wooi Belly Dancing Troupe
Traditional Egyptian / Arabic dancing

1.30pm Tricky Beats African Drumming
The Tunbridge Wells group is a seven-person ensemble expressing traditional West-African music through energetic and uplifting rhythms

2pm His Worshipful The Mayor
Councillor Mike Rusbridge

2.05pm Performances By Local Schools
Culturally diverse performances developed by local schools specially for the Mela

2.20pm Parosh Music Group featuring Tunbridge Wells Bangladeshi Trust
Popular Bangladeshi pop group led by Fareen Rahman Paroshmoni who will perform popular Bangladeshi Pop and Bollywood hits.

3.10pm Mcmanigan School Of Irish Dance
Spectacular performance of dance from an award winning Kent based group

3.35pm Four By Four Bhangra & Dhol Drummers
Energetic and colourful exciting performance of traditional bhangra dancing from North India fused with Hip Hop / Bhangra and Urban Music, accompanied by live traditional dhol drums

4pm Phase 5 Steel Band
Excellent steel combo playing sounds from the Caribbean

4.45pm Bloco Fogo Samba
An infectious performance of traditional Brazilian music which will make you dance and sway to the powerful samba beat performed by popular local Tunbridge Wells based group

The aim of the Mela is to celebrate the diversity of the Borough through music, food and dance. The majority of the acts and food stalls appearing at the Mela are based in and around Tunbridge Wells.

Cllr James Scholes, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, said: ‘The Mela promises to be a day filled with music, dance and great food and we hope lots of people will join this family-friendly party.’

Gurvinder Sandher the Assistant Director of North West Kent Racial Equality Council, said: ‘The Tunbridge Wells Mela is an excellent example of how music, food and dance can be used to promote community cohesion and positive community relations. I have been greatly impressed by the passion and commitment shown by local community organisations in helping to develop the Mela, and I hope that all their hard work will be rewarded by some fantastic weather for the weekend.’

The Mela is being organised by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in partnership with North West Kent Racial Equality Council, Town and Country Housing Group and West Kent Police.