The Gravesend Community Mela Festival took place on Saturday August 18 at the Bandstand in the Fort Gardens, Promenade alongside the New Shrimpers Regatta. Around 1000 people attended the free community event on one of the hottest days of the year. The event was officially launched by the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Lyn Milner.

 

The Mela which was organised by Cohesion Plus in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council showcased a number of new emerging urban fusion artists including Sunny G Productions and Jai Khan, alongside up and coming bhangra stars Raju Dinehwala and Benny Dhaliwal who both are based in North Kent. .

 

The event was headlined by bhangra superstar Jazzy B who is known as the Crown Prince of Bhangra. A special presentation was made to him for his outstanding work to promote community cohesion and bringing communities together through music. Jazzy B received a great response from the crowd, with people dancing and singing along during his performance.

 

Gurvinder Sandher the Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus who organised the event commented “I was really pleased with how the Mela Festival went. Not only did we have great weather but the different artists who performed all put on a great show. We had a range of different emerging acts some of whom were North Kent based and the headline act as ever Jazzy B did an excellent show really energising the crowd. I believe the Mela was an excellent showcase for some new exciting acts that are emerging and the feedback I have had already via social media has been positive. Our next event to celebrate the climax of the Paralympics will be on September 7 and I hope the local community will come out and support that as well.”

 

Jazzy B who headlined said “I really enjoyed performing at the Mela in Gravesend. Not only was the weather great but the reception I received from the crowd was even hotter. It was so pleasing to see so many people of different ages enjoying this great community event and I would like to thank Gurvinder Sandher and his team for all their hard work in pulling this event together. Music is a great way of bringing communities together and I look forward to coming back to Kent soon.”