DIWALI

Diwali (Festival of Lights) is one of the most popular Indian festivals with over a billion Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrating it. It is celebrated in India and throughout the world to welcome in the New Year. It also symbolizes the end of darkness that engulfed the light of knowledge, with the steady burning lamp indicating a constant symbol of an illuminated mind. Diwali brings happiness and a cheerful spirit amongst all communities. It is a festival with seasonal, religious and historical significance.

CAFÉ LAZEEZ SOHO CELEBRATES THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Saturday 18 - Saturday 25th October 2003
Cafe Lazeez
21 Dean Street
London W1V 5AH
Tel: 020 7434 9393
www.cafelazeez.com

Café Lazeez, the pioneer of modern Indian restaurants in the UK is planning to celebrate Diwali in style by turning their Soho venue into a glittering Indian vision. Across the 18th-25th of October the restaurant will be welcoming all their customers with a complimentary Diwali cocktail. The restaurant and bar will be turned into a spectacular Indian shrine draped in luxury fabrics, shimmering with candles and floating Diwali flowers.

There will be a special Diwali menu alongside the A la carte menu offering traditional and modern Indian cusine including Golgappa Chaat, Talapia Moilee and Gajar Ka Halwa. Customers will be given a truly appetising experience of the Indian New Year and will be treated to gifts of bangles, bindis and for those that would like to leave with something different henna artists will be available to provide stunning complimentary mehndi designs.

BRENT FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Saturday 18th October 2003
Ealing Road
Wembley, Middlesex
6.00pm - 10.00pm
FREE

Western Union is proud to be celebrating Diwali as, once again, the title sponsors of this year's Brent Festival of Lights. On the 18th October 2003 there will be a spectacular parade through the streets of Wembley. The 'switching on' of the Western Union Brent Diwali street lights will take place on Ealing Road at 6pm by Bend it like Beckham and Eastenders star Ameet Chana followed by a non-stop entertainment programme courtesy of Western Union.

The evening entertainment will kick off with the parade, a carnival atmosphere and a stunning array of floats from the Jalaram Trust, Mahonany Community Ventures and the Alperton Community School to name but a few. In this year's procession, Western Union's float will be beautifully decorated in honour of the Goddess Lakshmi. The parade will start at Alperton tube station, proceed along the Ealing Rd and onto Chaplin Rd.

From 7.30pm the music stage in Barham Park, Wembley, will come alive with the Bollywood Brass Band and the Dhol Foundation Drummers and at 9.30pm an impressive firework display will light up the sky in Barham Park, marking the end of the Hindu season of merriment.

LONDON'S FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Sunday 19th October 2003
Trafalgar Square, London
3.00pm - 8.00pm
FREE

For the third year running, Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone invites Londoners to celebrate Diwali, 'the festival of light', in Trafalgar Square. This free event will present a colourful programme of music, dance and displays for all Londoners to enjoy.

The Diwali Festival has religious significance for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and is celebrated by many communities throughout the capital. Against the backdrop of Nelson's Column, with floating candles in the fountains, the lighting of a giant candle and delicious Indian food, newly redesigned Trafalgar Square will be transformed into the perfect setting for Diwali in London 2003.

DIWALI BALL
Saturday 1st November 2003
Radisson SAS Portman Hotel, London
7:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Standard Tickets @ £60 with free registration to KismetUK. £65 if not registered. VIP Tickets @ £70 with free registration to KismetUK £80 if not registered.
Tel: 0871 271 4080 Dil Sidhu

The evening features:
· Complimentary Drinks Reception until 8:30pm
· Multiple Entertainment Acts including Live Music & Dancing
· Three Course Indian Meal (Veg & Non Veg)
· Complimentary Wine and Soft Drinks on the Table
· Licensed Bar till 1:45am

DIWALI GALA
Sunday 2nd November 2003
The Theatre Royal,
Nottingham
at 5.00 p.m.
Tickets (£5 and £4 (concessions)) from:
NAAC 0115-9158608
Royal Centre 0115-9895555
City Information Centre (C.I.C.) 0115-9155330

Presented by the Nottingham Asian Arts Council, this year's Diwali Gala has changed it's program to involve more young people and reflect their values and views. The format will also be different - we have a brilliant line-up of local children some of whom have learned dance, music and drama through NAAC sponsored workshop combined with professional artists like the world famous Kuljit Bhamra and Friends featuring Sangeeta, BEE2 and Shaheen Khan.

Kuljit Bhamra, a virtuoso tabla player, composer and record producer, is one of the most influential musicians working behind the scenes in British Asian music. He has composed, produced and recorded more than 700 songs to date - many of which have been international hits on the Asian music scene. His most successful project known to Western audiences is his work on the soundtrack music for the award-winning film 'Bhaji On The Beach'.

Sangeeta is one of the most popular and successful female singer in the British Asian music scene with many awards to her name, the most famous being, when at only 12 years of age she won the BBC Radio Leicester competition with the award being judged and handed out by none other than the world famous, Lata Mangeshkar.

Shaheen is a brilliant artist and will perform a mixture of popular filmi, Punjabi and Qawwali songs and BEE2 another great artist will entertain you with typical Punjabi songs to keep your feet tapping all evening! There will also be a couple of dances presented by Sonia and Rupa. All in all a superb line-up for the Diwali Gala!

WALSALL'S DIWALI MELA
Saturday 8th November 2003
6.30pm to 8.30pm
Opposite Crown Wharf Retail Park,
Walsall Town Centre
Call Raam Tarat / Anita Kaushik : 01922 653114 / 07813 539381

Walsall's Diwali celebrations this year are taking place on Saturday 8th of November, in Walsall town centre. Various events have been planned, and are already taking place including dance performances, arts workshops and initiatives with local schools and community groups in the run up to November 8th. On the event day itself the mela will take place along-side various performances on our community stage, and our finale: a spectacular pyrotechnics display by our commissioned artists. From food and clothing stalls to ayurveda and holistic therapies, from bollywood and bhangra tunes to local community initiatives there is something for ALL the family - EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Saturday 8th November
The New Art Gallery
Walsall : 2pm - 6pm

Mehndhi, Henna and Specialist Body Art
Indian Head Massage
Rangoli Patterns / Interactive Diwali Card Making
Primary School's Art Displays
Dance and Musical Performances