London Mela 2008

This free outdoor festival celebrates Asian arts and culture with a wealth of music and entertainment. There will be pop and classical music, dance, street theatre, and activities for children.

The biggest Asian cultural event in Britain opens from noon until 8.30pm, there are 7 tents presenting everything from Continental Drifts collaborations, Asian history, and global food, to folk music fusions, contemporary takes on traditional dance forms, elaborate storytelling from spoken word artists, cabaret, urban, classical and experimental music, DJs, circus, dance, visual arts, comedy, and children's area.

BBC Radio 1 DJs Bobby and Nihal will be hosting the London Flavas stage, bringing Urban Asian beats and flavas from around the world. The Main stage will be hosted by Asian Network's Adil Ray, Murtz and Jas Rao and the line-up includes Jassi Sidhu, Taz, Raghav, Mona, Labh Janjua, and Rishi Rich Presents... Veronica, H Dhami, & Mumzy.

The Mix Tent presents Asian Network DJ's including DJ Kayper, Panjabi Hit Squad, Sonny Ji, Ameet Chana and Nerm presenting Desi beats, Hip-hop, Bhangra and Drum 'n' Bass.

Asian Network Head of Music Mark Strippel says "This year sees Asian Network turning up the volume at London Mela, delivering some of the biggest British-Asian and Bollywood music stars and a bigger online and visual platform around our activity. We are proud to be the principal media supporter for the third year running."

On-site on the day a BBC Big Screen will show all the main stage performances, while 14 BBC big screens based around the country will feature the highlights of the Mela to an audience across the UK.

Mela is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘to meet’, used to describe all sorts of community celebrations and festivals in the Asian subcontinent. A long-standing tradition in South Asia, the Mela strengthens communities by bringing people together in a festival atmosphere where everyone can enjoy food, music, dance, and even a a fun fair.

For more information, see the London Mela website.

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