Luton Mela
Luton Mela
Sunday 3 August
12pm-7pm
Wardown Park, Old Bedford Road, Luton.
It’s Mela time!
The East of England’s biggest Asian music event is back! Luton Mela 2008 will be causing a storm on Sunday 3 August, 12pm-7pm, Wardown Park, Old Bedford Road, Luton.
This year’s event is organised by the Mela Group, a community led group with support from Luton Cultural Services Trust, and funding from Luton Borough Council, will feature Bhangra, Bollywood and Bangla sounds as well as Asian urban music.
Cllr Mohammed Ashraf, Executive Member with responsibility for arts and leisure said: “The Luton Mela 2008 is a great way for local communities to celebrate Asian arts and culture. This is a free event for all the family to enjoy, and with a variety of music and dance performances there’s something for everyone, so get down to Wardown Park on 3 August and join in the festivities.”
The line-up includes:
Headline act Hunterz, an English urban musician whose influences include Arabic, Hindi and Bhangra soul. He made his vocal debut in 2003 with the bhangra album ‘Most Wanted’ followed by Phat Trax Vol 1: Blazin in 2004. His collaboration single ‘Reasons’ featuring UB40 was a massive hit which he also performed at the Live 8 London concert in Hyde Park.
Brothers Chand and Suraj Khan, sons of the great Ustad Hussain Baksh 'Gullu' are eminent classical vocalists from Pakistan who have recently been touring the country - their performance is sure to be spectacular.
Jassi Sidhu is a highly successful artist whose unique style fuses traditional lyrics with eastern and western instruments to create a distinctive sound. His latest album released this year ‘The New Adventures of Jassi Sidhu’ has catapulted his career to a whole new and he is now recognised as one of Punjabi’s finest singer and performer.
Luton Mela has been supported this year by Luton Borough Council, London Luton Airport, Dallow Learning Community Centre and a team of volunteers from Global Xchange.
Zulfqar Ahmed, Chair of the Mela Group said: “This year’s Mela has been taken to the next level - its bigger, better and now global thanks to Play Radio UK. The Mela is an event that unites communities and really emphasises social cohesion within Luton. This year we’ve had tremendous help from the Global Xchange team and we warmly welcome the Egyptian members that have come over. The event is such an amazing family day out and I’m sure everyone will enjoy the day immensely.”
Andy Grays, Director of Arts, Luton Cultural Services Trust said: “The Luton Mela has quickly established a reputation for showcasing professional international, national and local Asian artists for free. There’s always a great family atmosphere at the Mela and a brilliant opportunity to raise the profile of Asian cultures. It’s an event not to be missed. “
Play Radio UK, Europe’s largest internet radio network, will be broadcasting the artists featuring at the Mela live throughout the day
For more information contact:
Zulfqar Ahmed, Chair Luton Mela Group, on 01582 410333
Jitty Marwaha (Luton Mela Group) on 01582 410333
Hafiza Mohamed, Luton Cultural Services Trust, on 01582 878121
Luton Cultural Services Trust (LCST) is assisting in the overall production, management and health and safety of Luton Mela 2008. Officers from LCST’s arts unit work year round with the Mela Group providing advice, support and guidance on arts related and events matters.
Global Xchange is a VSO and British Council international youth programme that works with volunteers from two different countries in one team. GX is currently in its fourth year in Luton and has been prominently supporting Luton Mela from the start. They are looking to promote volunteering amongst young people that will be attending the event.
Mela Programme 2008 - main stage
12noon Introduction
12.05pm Chinese Lion Dance/Drummers
12.35pm Talent Quest Winners x 3
1.00pm DJ Maj & Khurram
1.40pm Jassi Sidhu
2.50pm Alpenglow
3.10pm Rukshana Safa and Soumyen
4.10pm Chand Khan & Suraj Khan
5.10pm Binda & DJ Vix
5.45pm Bhangra Blasters
6.10pm Headline act: Hunterz
7.00pm End
Performers - marquee
12 noon Thai Dance and Cultural Music
12.40pm Purbachol
1.35pm The Veth Project
2.30pm Urdu Mashaira
2.40pm Khalid Mirza
4.05pm Dhol Rhythms
4.40pm Patwari Folk Group
6.00pm Shafqat Ali Khan
7.00pm End