Mela celebrates city's diversity of cultures

The Mela held at Peel Park tomorrow and Sunday, between noon and 8pm will have a mix of outdoor entertainment, children's zone, stages, street theatre, funfair rides and market stalls.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford Coun Mohammed Jamil will officially open the Mela at 12.45pm tomorrow on the Mango Stage.

The highlight for children and families this year will be The Bio Dome. Performances and workshops will take place inside a huge big top and will share the theme of the International Year of Biodiversity – celebrating the variety of nature and life on earth. Inside the Bio Dome there will be a Great Plant Hunt, Snail Olympics, flower planting, story-telling and dancing.

Artists performing at this year's Mela include:

Bombay Baja – one of Europe's first Indian brass bands with musicians from a variety of musical backgrounds – including Bhangra, Jazz and Classical.

Chinese Ribbon Dance – a traditional dance that originated in China 2,000 years ago.

Mighty Zulu Nation – a cast of dancers and singers from South Africa who showcase the traditional Zulu culture.

Desi Bravehearts – Nine young people from Scottish, Indian, Chinese and Pakistani backgrounds will perform dances including Mujra style (girls only) and Bollywood freestyle (mixed).

A Bollywood dance will take place each day.

The dance will be led by Zoobin Surty, a professional

dancer/choreographer who trained in Indian classical dance and is a graduate of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and a cultural dance ambassador for South Asian Arts based in Leeds. Bradford's Dance for Life instructors have been teaching the routine to their regular classes.

The finished piece will be performed at the Mela and members of the public will be encouraged to join in. It will be at 2pm and 4pm on both days.

Executive Member for Culture, Tourism and Sport Coun Paul Flowers said: "I am really looking forward to enjoying the sights and sounds of the Mela."