Cohesion Plus will once again be working with Maidstone Borough Council to deliver the colourful, energetic Maidstone Community Mela in Mote Park on Sunday 10 September from 12 noon to 6pm. The event is once again being support by Arts Council England and Kent Equality Cohesion Council as additional help and support from the Maidstone Cultural Group and local volunteers.

The Mela promises to be a lively community celebration of music, food and dance from around the world with a dazzling array of entertainment programmed. Opening the Mela will be Uzambezi, a traditional Zimbabwean singing and dance troupe, followed by the likes of Kitka, a Bulgarian dance group who showcase traditional Bulgarian choreography and Square Pegs an award winning arts organisation that will be showcasing the many wonderful talents of their young people and adults with SEND. Further acts include local community groups such as the Kerala Culture Association, the Maidstone Malayalee Association and the Maidstone Nepalese Community Group all of whom will showcase the sights and sounds of their respective cultures, bringing wonder and marvel to the Mela.

Bringing the Mela to is fantastic culmination will be the ever incomparable Kings of Dhol who will be perform with their usual flair, mixing traditional North Indian drumming with Western hits for an unforgettable showstopper performance. They will be followed by international Bhangra Superstar Jassi Sidhu, who will be performing his smash hits, bringing the sounds of North India to Maidstone. DJ Amit will once again thrilling audiences with his signature blend of unforgettable mixes. Finally, headlining the day will the One Love Orchestra will be performing with a full band. They will be performing songs belonging to the iconic Bob Marley and the Wailers amongst other reggae classics.

Community Mela Producer Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL said: “It is our pleasure to once again be working with Maidstone Borough Council, Arts Council England and local community Maidstone Cultural Group to deliver the beloved Maidstone Community Mela in Mote Park.

“The Mela will once again boast an exciting programme of culturally diverse artists, the majority of whom are Kent based acts. There will also be an excellent off stage offering made up of partner agencies and food stalls offering flavours from all around the world!

“So please do come and support the Mela, an event which aims to bring communities together, celebrate all that unites us and to showcase the diversity of Maidstone and surrounding areas through music, food, and dance.”

Cllr Claudine Russell, Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Arts at MBC: “Everyone is invited to come along to enjoy this dazzling free afternoon of song and dance, celebrating culture in our county town. The many different types of music will keep you entertained from start to finish and the food stalls will be offering a variety of tastes from around the world to buy.”