The 9th Tunbridge Wells Mela Festival which celebrates the diversity of the borough through music, food and dance will be taking place on July 13 at the Calverley Grounds between 12.30pm and 6pm. The Mela has been organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus Kent, Sue Latham Events and the Kent Equality Cohesion Council.

The Mela is part funded by Arts Council England with the balance of the funds being raised through stalls, sponsorship, and donations, with KECC covering any shortfall as again there is no funding support from local authority partners. 

A range of culturally diverse artists will be performing including leading Samba group Bloco Fogo, Four by Four Bhangra, African Folk Group Uzambezi, Lady Motown, emerging young singers Ryan Bennett and Gemma Moore, Cullen Academy of Irish Dance, local reggae star Jack Curtis and Phase 5 Steel Band.

Alongside the exciting stage programme there is also going to be a creative arts zone where Same Sky arts will be delivering arts workshops and there will be an opportunity to decorate the “Mela Festival Gate” which symbolises the fact that the Mela is open to everyone and welcomes all communities young and old.

There is a still a funding short fall for the Mela, so if anyone would like to help please Text KECC11 followed by how much you wish to donate between £1 and £10 to 70070 

Click the poster below to download poster.