Newcastle Mela 2010
The Newcastle Mela 2010, the Newcastle Asian Arts and Music Festival is on Saturday 31st July 2010 and Sunday 1st August 2010
Newcastle Mela 2010
Exhibition Park
Town Moor
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2
Festival Times: 12noon to 7.00pm both days, entry is FREE to this Newcastle event, and perfect for the whole family!
About the N.A.A.M.
Newcastle Asian Arts and Music is a voluntary organisation that was formed in April 1993. Its main aim is to promote Asian arts, music and culture within Newcastle and the North East region.
The main emphasis in N.A.A.M activities is upon the provision of a safe and supportive environment, therefore allowing the opportunities for all the community members to fully participate in events such as the Mela.
What is Mela?
‘Mela’ originate from the Indian sub continent: the word Mela comes from the Sanskrit “to meet” and is related to the word “milana”. It is commonly used to describe a large gathering of people celebrating artistic, religious or political events – a fair or a festival.
In the same way that many fairs or holidays in Europe would begin on the feast days of saints, Melas in south Asia have their origins in religious gatherings such as Eid Vaisakhi or Diwali.
Celebrations form an immeasurably important part of the sub-continent’s fabric. Melas are feasts of sights, smells, sounds and tastes and will often feature bazaars, folk troupes, traditional and contemporary and modern music and dance.
Newcastle Mela attracts 30,000 people every year.
The Mela is a free event based around Punjabi, Pakistani, Bengali, Hindi and other South Asian cultures, and is open to anyone who wants to learn more, be entertained and meet new people as well as enjoy different music, art and food in the heart of Newcastle.
With a line up including the hottest contemporary Asian acts as well as traditional displays of music and dance it’s an event likely to appeal to all ages and races.
Taking place in Exhibition Park, the Mela promises to be weekend full of fun with music, games, stalls and exhibitions to help everyone have a great weekend! With a stage playing host to musicians and dancers, hundreds of stalls selling arts and crafts and food and drink and a children’s programme to help the kids learn, make friends and have fun; there’s plenty to do whatever your tastes.
Further details as soon as they become available!