Held on Sunday 14th May, the Baishakhi Mela will host and array of entertainment from dance, music and drama to fairgrounds, street parades and plenty of food for nearly 100,000 guests to enjoy.
The event will begin at 11.00am when a colourful parade makes its way from Allen Gardens, along Brick Lane and into Weavers Fields. A huge Bengal Tiger is the new addition for 2006 which families are helping to build in workshops from April until the Mela at Spitalfields Farm. The favourite Peacock Boat and Metal Elephant will also join the procession.
Brick Lane is the place to be to enjoy the delicious Indian offerings that will be served in the many restaurants and street stalls up and down the famous road. Special offers will be on place to encourage whole families to sit down and dine together. Turning into a bustling marketplace, Brick Lane will also boasts stallholders selling handicrafts and traditional Bangladeshi fashion wares as well as face painters and street entertainers.
Weavers Fields and Allen Gardens will have stages to showcase a range of musical genres as well as dance and drama performances. A fun fair, street performers, stalls for food and crafts as well as a Sports Zone will also be in Weavers Fields.
Other venues including Toynbee Hall and the Brady Art Centre will also be hosting activities during the day.
The Baishakhi Mela aims to enhance community relationships, increase skill levels for young people and improve the area’s identity while ensuring that a good time is had by all. It brings together the very best of Bengali arts, music and culture to the Brick Lane area and reinforces that ‘Banglatown’ is one of London’s most vibrant quarters.
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