LONDON MELA 2006 Sunday 13 August 2006. Time: 12 noon – 9pm. Gunnersbury Park Popes Lane London W3 8LQ Admission: Free

With six stages and a mix of classical and modern Asian music, dance, visual arts and street theatre –including a roaring Bengali tiger and Bollywood Steps finale – the annual London Mela is being held on Sunday 13 August at Gunnersbury Park in Ealing, West London. Highlights on the main stage include the UK debut of Pakistan rock star Atif Aslam, legends of British Bhangra Chirag Pechan reforming for a special one-off concert, Londoner Ajay, female rappers Hard Kaur and Ms Scandalous, and Mentor Kolectiv.

This year’s event also includes tributes to Bollywood. French sensation Pascal of Bollywood will make his UK debut on the main stage performing favourites of the genre. And the grand finale will be Bollywood Steps, a unique outdoor dance spectacle and visual feast with water effects, lighting and pyrotechnics.

Classical music fans will be treated to performances by Habib Sabri Sufi Qawaal, Arun Gosh and Sitar Fusion, as well as a programme of classical and folk dance presented by Akademi. Other highlights will include Tabla Blah Blah, one of the new commissions for 2006. It’s a collaboration between DJ Bobby Friction, Tabla guru Pandit Sharda Sahai and the Sangeet Ensemble, and will feature live performance, soundscapes and video-visuals. And performance artists will entertain the crowds with a roaring Royal Bengal Tiger Float complete with Baul music, storytelling, dance and DJs – as well as the Bombay Baja, The Flying Buttresses, and the extra tall Mayor and Councillor of Londinium.

EVENT SCHEDULE

12.00-12.40 - Sher Miandad Qawwal
13.00-13.45- Ajay, London Mela debut
14.00-14.15 - Hard Kaur
14.30-14.40 - Alyssia & Ms Scandalous
14.40-14.50 - Speeches
14.55-15.15 - Menis & Nazza T
15.20-15.40 - Mentor Kolektiv
15.40-16.20 - Bollywood Steps
16.20-17.15 - Chirag Pechchan with Amarjit Sidhu and Mangal Singh
17.40-1835 - Pascal Of Bollywood – UK debut
18.55-1950 - Atif Aslam – UK debut
19.50-20.30 - Grand Finale, Bollywood Steps