The Dartford Mela which took place on Sunday 28 June at the Open-Air Theatre in Central Park brought together local communities to celebrate the vibrant cultures of the Indian Sub-Continent with a British twist and was supported by Arts Council England.
Produced by Cohesion Plus in partnership with the Mayor of Dartford, Councillor Avtar Sandhu MBE, and a dedicated team of local community volunteers, the event showcased the very best of food, music, dance and cultural traditions, with a particular focus on performers and businesses from the Dartford community.
The afternoon featured a colourful programme of entertainment celebrating the rich diversity of the Indian Sub-Continent. Audiences enjoyed outstanding performances from the Four by Four Kings of Bhangra, Dartford Nepalese Community Dance Group, Soptosur Music School, local singer Sadia Afrin Ripa and Pacha Pucha Drumming Group. They were followed by Bengali Pop Star Nurjahan Shilpi and Bollywood vocalists Shama and Shahid.
The celebrations culminated in headline performances from Bhangra superstars Angrej Ali and Shin DCS, who had the audience singing and dancing throughout an energetic finale.
Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL said:
"The Dartford Mela is about bringing people together through arts, culture and community. It was wonderful to see hundreds of people enjoying performances from across the Indian Sub-Continent while celebrating the incredible talent we have here in Dartford. Events like these strengthen community cohesion, create opportunities for local artists and demonstrate the richness of our diverse communities. I would like to thank everyone who attended, our volunteers, performers, partners and supporters who made the day such a success."
Mayor of Dartford, Councillor Avtar Sandhu MBE, added:
"It was a pleasure to work alongside Cohesion Plus and our local volunteers to deliver a successful Dartford Mela. The event showcased the diversity that makes our borough so special and provided a fantastic opportunity for residents of all backgrounds to come together in celebration."
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