The 9th Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival which celebrates the diversity of the borough through music, food and dance will be taking place on 13th July at the Calverley Grounds between 12.30pm and 6pm.

The Mela has been organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus Kent, Sue Latham Events and the Kent Equality Cohesion Council with the support of Arts Council England.

A range of culturally diverse artists will be performing including leading Samba group Bloco Fogo, Four by Four Bhangra, African Folk Group Uzambezi, Lady Motown, emerging young singers Ryan Bennett and Gemma Moore, Cullen Academy of Irish Dance, local reggae star Jack Curtis and Phase 5 Steel Band. All of the acts apart from one are from Kent.

Alongside the exciting stage programme there is also going to be a creative arts zone where Same Sky arts will be delivering arts workshops and there will be an opportunity to decorate the “Mela Festival Gate” which has been commissioned by Cohesion Plus as part of the “Kent Mela Festival Project 2014. 

In the food zone there will be dishes from around the World for everyone to enjoy and there will also be a licensed bar serving alcohol from around the Globe. 

Gurvinder Sandher the Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus commented “I am very excited by the programme that we have created for the Mela Festival. We have a range of emerging culturally diverse acts that we are showcasing at the event and along with the stage programme we are a creative arts zone where those in attendance can contribute to the Mela Gate which we have commissioned and which will tour the different events we organise in the summer and autumn.” 

Sue Latham from Sue Latham Events commented “We are very pleased that we have been able to put the Mela Festival on again this year. Last year was very successful and highlighted how the community was behind it. We are looking forward to their support again both on the day and in the build-up.” 

There is a still a funding short fall for the Mela, so if anyone would like to help please Text KECC11 followed by how much you wish to donate between £1 and £10 to 70070 

Click on the poster below to download poster.