Join Creative Black Country for our largest ARTS VILLAGE at this year's Mela
Ben ‘Pen’ Jones with his caricature portraits
For the fourth year Creative Black Country is partnering with the annual Ola Sandwell & Birmingham Mela in association with Lidl, to bring its biggest Art Village to date to the event, which returns to Victoria Park, Smethwick this weekend (20-21st July).
As creative partner to the UK’s largest Mela CBC have organised a hive of activity for the whole weekend. Visitors can participate in a range arts workshops in Yurts in the Arts Village; have a go at mosaic crafting; make modroc people sculptures; try some Indian chumki making; and even be 3D cloned and printed.
Taking part in crafts during 2018’s Mela
Artist in residence, Joe Miles, will be creating a new piece scanning 8 meters long and 3 metres high that you can see taking shape live.
The Arts Village has grown and this year we will be hosting performances alongside the arts and crafts workshops.
Social media sensation, Fidpal brings his dynamic flare and a new form of artistic dance performance to the Mela audience. While Vakhri Tohr, a Bhangra dance team with ages from 9 to 28 years-old, will be educating communities about their culture using movement.
On Saturday The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band (supported by Birmingham Hippodrome), welcomes audiences to enjoy a spectacular celebration of vibrant colour and sound, bringing the living embodiment of the Indian landscape to Smethwick. Their music and dance will provide a heady, exciting and hypnotic reflection of South Asia.
Creative Black Country’s Director of Operations and Developments, Sajida Carr, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Ola Sandwell and Birmingham Mela once again to bring a packed programme of performance, dance, arts, craft and creativity to Smethwick. This year we’ve really pushed the boat out to include as much activity as we can thanks to the success of past years. It’s wonderful to see the Mela crowd has such a huge appetite for the Arts Village.”
Thousands are expected this year at the UK’s biggest Asian music festival for a weekend of family entertainment, tasty food and Bollywood stars.
Now in its ninth year, the Mela is an established highlight in the UK’s cultural calendar, celebrating new work, showcasing international talent and providing a platform for emerging British artists as well as bringing visual art forms to a wider audience.
This year’s event is also complemented by the mouth watering Tastes of Asia Food Market which includes a cooking demonstration from renowned Chef Tony Singh and the chance to blend your own smoothie on one of Lidl's smoothie bikes.
Danny Singh, Chair of Ola Sandwell & Birmingham Mela, said: “With the Mela in its ninth year we are gearing up to our 10th anniversary and have an exciting programme for 20 – 21 July this year. Sandwell and Birmingham has a vibrant South Asian community with a rich history of Mela and this is the place to celebrate with the rest of the community.”
20 – 21 July 2019 at Victoria Park, Smethwick 12pm to 7pm
Full performance line-up for the Arts Village:
SATURDAY PERFORMANCES
The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band
Elephant & Maharaja Walkabout
Fidpal
Dhol Frequency
Vakhri Tohr
Creative Edge
SUNDAY PERFORMANCES
Elephant & Maharaja Walkabout
Aruna & Sohan
Creative Edge
Fidpal
Vakhri Tohr
Jai Jashn Dance Company