The Edinburgh Mela finishes this weekend and it will end with a flourish if the organisers have anything to do with it!
This is Scotland’s foremost celebration of cultural diversity through arts and this year includes hip hop bhangra to indo jazz fusion and West African drumming.
The ever popular fashion show will be back along with food from around the world and a kids’ zone with arts, crafts and stories from around the world.
Tomorrow Saturday 2 September there will be performances from the seven piece Babylon Arabic band and Swaryata, performing Bollywood numbers with a touch of Indian classical music. It culminates with the film, Lunchbox featuring Nimrat Kaur and Bollywood star, Irrfan Khan.
On Sunday you will be able to see the Edinburgh Samba School, Bollywood cross over artist Sher Yar Khan and international bhangra singer Sona Walia complete with dhol and dancers.
Chair of the Edinburgh Mela, Lesley Hinds, said: “It is great to have the Mela back in the 70th year of the Edinburgh Festivals. As a community event with a global focus, it draws on Scotland’s rich and diverse cultures. Above all, it is a chance to have fun, learn new things and dazzle the senses.”
The Leith Links location over September 2-3 also provides a kids zone, specifically for families with preschool and primary aged children hosted by Play Talk Read – one tent running arts & crafts and messy play and another tent running storytelling sessions from around the world.
Families and visitors can make a day of it, with a wide range of tempting and tasty food options also available onsite.
This year’s event is being supported by the City of Edinburgh Council, Creative Scotland, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, Edinburgh One City Trust and Ria financial services.
Entry to the festival is free. Full programme details are available at www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk
Weekend programme (September 2-3)
Saturday 2 September 2017 – stage
12.00-12.40 – Swaryatra (Edinburgh based Indian classical band)
12.55-13.15 – Khalid Al Khajah (Edinburgh based RnB singer songwriter)
13.30-14.00 – Sankofa Beats (Edinburgh based West African drum & dance group)
14.15-14.45 – Edinburgh Chinese Arts Association (Chinese dance show)
15.00-15.30 – Bruce Ncube (Zimbabwean folk songs with Edinburgh community)
15.45-16.30 – Babylon Arabic Band (songs from the Arab region, 7 piece band)
16.45-17.05 – Rameet (Miss India Scotland, hip hop bhangra)
17.25-18.10 – Jesse Bannister (Indo-jazz fusion, 5 piece band)
18.30 – Film ‘The Lunchbox’ (Love and Indian food with Irrfan Khan)
Sunday 3 September 2017 – stage
12.00-12.30 – The Edinburgh Samba School (TESS)
13.00-13.45 – Okestra Del Sol (Edinburgh based European folk jazz, 9 piece band)
14.00-14.45 – The MELA Fashion Show
15.00-15.20 – Chinese Lion Dance (Edinburgh Chinese Community School)
15.35-16.20 – Sher Yar Khan (Bollywood rock cross-over artist)
16.35-17.20 – Sona Walia (International bhangra singer with dhol and dancers)
17.45-18.30 – Rafaqat Ali Khan finishes the Mela (International Qawaali star)
Grass
12.15-13.00 – Circus Raj (Indian street performers)
16.00-16.45 – Circus Raj (Indian street performers)
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