Sajida’s Blog – from Mela partners to business partners

I’ve been thinking about blogging for a while and really pleased to kick off my first blog post to share news of Creative Black Country’s relationship with the Mela Partnership.

Initiated by performance company Nutkhut in 2016 for the last year and a half we have been working with Sandwell and Birmingham Mela to add extra value to what the Mela already offers to its audiences. Being part of the Mela Partnership we can help provide additional high quality creative programming, shared learning and capacity building. If you came to Mela last year you may remember the stunning aerial acrobatics of Khoj which received amazing feedback; a great example of what the network can achieve through combined resources.

Image courtesy of The Dream Engine

This year the Mela Network will be bringing the fantastic Heliosphere to Victoria Park on Sunday 2nd July. Creating the illusion of flying, a helium filled balloon rises, falls and glides overhead, suspending a balletic aerialist below tumbling and turning from ground level to twenty meters. My little ones cannot wait to see this!

In addition to this Creative Black Country will be hosting workshops in the arts & crafts tent all weekend where you can decorate dandiya sticks and dance away and make as much noise as you want at the Mela.

Leading up to the weekend we’re really looking forward to the Black Country Business Launch this Friday. Created by the Black Country Chamber it aims to push the region’s businesses to drive inward investment and support economic growth. The festival is taking place from 23rd April to 4th May, 2018 and will be a platform for businesses to unite and showcase the region’s world-leading economy and business activities. It will feature a fortnight of business focused events, run by business for business.

Following one business event to another, CBC’s Creative Director, Parminder and I will be attending the Nachural Business Summer Ball and Awards 2017. It will recognise the achievements of individuals and companies from across the region. The awards embrace businesses of all sectors and will be presented at the prestigious Nachural Summer Ball and Awards Dinner, which this year will take place on Friday 30th June 2017.

If you’re interested in knowing what we get up why not sign up to our newsletter in the meantime i’ll have a think about my next blog!

Sajida is Creative Black Country’s Programme Director