The Zee London Mela is once again returning to Ealing and local people are being urged not to miss out on the extravaganza of Asian culture, art and music.
Taking place on 3 September in Gunnersbury Park, the Mela is free to attend and will showcase a combination of international artists, national treasures, local talent, comedy, cabaret, Bollywood and much more.
Now in its 15th year, The Mela has always been one of the most highly anticipated and loved events in the borough’s annual calendar. Past events have seen crowds of up to 60,000 people and this year promises be another brilliant day out for all the family, with great music, entertainment and food stalls.
This year’s Zee main stage features performances from India’s Queen of Hip Hop, Hard Kaur. Bhangra pop maestros Desi Crew will make a special one-off appearance and will be joined on the line-up by Miss Pooja, the biggest selling female Bhangra artist in the world, and funky eight-piece band, the Ska Vengers.
Other artists appearing include DJ Rekha and British Asian underground legends Asian Dub Foundation, who close the ZEE Main Stage. Mercury Music Prize winner Talvin Singh, OBE, has been also commissioned to curate the Anokha stage.
The Mela will close with a spectacular circus-style finale involving some high-flying clowns and much more.
The Taste of Asia will include the biggest South Asian food market this side of New Delhi, and there will be shopping opportunities galore at the Mela Bazaar, with international market stalls, and a gigantic fun fair and a firework finale all thrown in.
There’s even Mela Magic, an area with fun and creative activities for children, and the London premiere of Zamana, which creates the illusion of flying beneath a giant helium balloon.
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, the council’s cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “It’s great to see this wonderful event back in the borough for its 15th year.
“The Mela is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to come together and celebrate the best of South Asian arts and culture. Hosted in historic Gunnersbury Park, the Mela combines English Heritage with the borough’s cultural bond with Asian communities across the world.”
For further information visit the Zee London Mela website.
