CBC Creative Partnership with the OLA Sandwell & Birmingham Mela 2019

The Ola Sandwell & Birmingham Mela returns on the 20-21st July and CBC is delighted to be the creative partner for the fourth year in a row.

We’re turning the arts village in to a creative hive of activity for the whole weekend with live art, 3D printing, dance, crafts and lots more. Take a look below at what we have planned for you…

WORKSHOPS

Get Cloned with Urban Hax - all weekend
Get yourself 3D scanned and printed into your very own mini me! Using 3D scanning and 3D printing technologies the Get Cloned bureau at Urban Hax scans you or your friends, family or colleagues and then prints them into miniature versions. Unlike traditional photography this literally creates a great memory and extends it into the third dimension. Not only will you receive your very own 3D miniature, which is available in full colour, you can also post your model onto an online viewing gallery.

Make mosaics with Claire Cotterill - all weekend
Artist maker Claire Cotterill invites you to create a piece of artwork using mosaics.

Get your portrait drawn by Ben ‘Pen’ Jones - Sunday only
'Ben 'Pen' Jones is a Caricaturist and Live Artist who specialises in uncannily accurate and hilarious portrait cartoons. Since cutting his artistic teeth busking on a bridge over the Thames he has cartooned at weddings, birthday parties, AGMs, street parties, christenings, river cruises and many more events too numerous to mention - and this year he’ll be a MELA to take capture you.

Joe Miles paints live - all Weekend
Our Mela artist in residence is back this year painting live.

Workshops will also be available with all weekend with:
Tripta Badham - Indian Arts and Crafts Workshops
Mitch Schofield - Modroc Workshops

PERFORMANCES - times are below

From the exquisite Elephant & Maharaja stilt walkers, to music performers and traditional and contemporary dancers we’ve got a packed line-up to treat you over the weekend in and around the MELA Arts Village.

Fidpal
Bhangra dancer Fidpal brings his dynamic flare and a new form of artistic performance to the MELA audience which promises to be full of charisma and high energy. A social media sensation, his viral dance cover videos and has been featured on the BBC Asian Network.

Vakhri Tohr
Vakhri Tohr are a dance team of passionate individuals who thrive on educating communities about their culture. The Bhangra team that consist of both males and females, ranging in ages from 9-28 years old.

Rajasthan Heritage Brass band - supported by Birmingham Hippodrome
The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band is a living embodiment of this landscape, a spectacular celebration of its vibrant and colourful lifestyle, their music and dance a heady, exciting and hypnotic reflection of this enchanting region.

SATURDAY PERFORMANCES

Rajasthan Heritage Brass band
Vakhri Tohr
Elephant & Maharaja Walkabout
Fidpal
Dhol Frequency
Creative Edge

SUNDAY PERFORMANCES
Elephant & Maharaja Walkabout
Aruna & Sohan
Creative Edge
Fidpal
Vakhri Tohr
Jai Jashn Dance Company