News 
Edinburgh Festival On A Shoestring: Ladies Night Kickstarts Mela
21 Aug 2008
As August draws to a close and other Festivals wind-up, those needing their fill of arts, entertainment and family fun will find theatre, film, visual arts, multi art performance, dance and music at the Mela. There will also be children’s activities and food stalls offering affordable international cuisine.
Director of the Edinburgh Mela Festival, Liam Sinclair, said:
“Though festival goers may be tightening their belt at the end of the month, the Edinburgh Mela has plenty to offer those on a budget. Most events are either free or included in a £2 pass which also covers evening entertainment such as the world premiere of the musical collaboration Yatra//Journey. Families, arts aficionados and festival die-hards will all find entertainment, fun and inspiration at the Mela.” (3)
Sunday’s Sakhian, which means ‘girls and her friends’, is an evening dedicated to entertainment and food for women of all ages and cultural backgrounds - all for only just £5. The evening’s headline act will be the celebrated bhangra singer/song writer Des-C. New to Sakhian this year is a musical drama, Sapno ki Shaadi (meaning dream wedding), which depicts the story of an Asian wedding.
Mrs Unis of Edinburgh-based Mrs Unis Spicy Foods, the woman behind the concept of Sakhian Ladies Night, said:
“Sakhian is a great start to the Edinburgh Mela as it lets women across the generations enjoy a night out together. With the addition of musical drama, performed by members of the local community, Ladies Night is also a valuable opportunity to showcase home-grown talent. This year some professional performers will also be taking part in the Sakhian Night.”
Entrance to the Mela site is free Monday to Friday. For just £2 per day on Saturday and Sunday (under 12s go free), visitors can enjoy non-stop performances from 12 noon until 10pm. This includes singer Tariq Khan; a Bollywood inspired fashion show; The Gypsy Arts Festival; the London Community Gospel choir; Indian cinema classic Mother India accompanied by a contemporary live soundtrack, and much more.
Some evening events are ticketed and cost £8 or £10. These include the !Gubi Family; Rishi Rich; DCS; UK premiere of the Orquestra Tipica Imperial tango band, and UpSwing, aerial acrobatics circus accompanied by hip-hop.
Liam Sinclair added:
“Extending the Mela to a full week and moving to the new Leith site has enabled us to showcase many more acts than in previous years. Whether you are looking for a lively night out with friends, family fun, or the latest up-and-coming artists from around the world, the Mela is sure to please.”
-ENDS-
For more information contact Esther Black or Shaheena Abbas on 0131 556 0770, esther.black@pagodapr.com, Shaheena.abbas@pagodapr.com
Notes to Editors
1. The Edinburgh Mela Festival was founded in 1995 by members of the city’s minority ethnic communities, and one of its key objectives was to reflect and celebrate Scotland’s cultural diversity. It is funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Arts Council and The Scottish Government. Its major sponsor is Forth Ports Plc with additional sponsorship from Lothian and Borders Police, NHS Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, Unison and Lothian Buses.
2. Tickets for Sakhian ladies night can be reserved through the Mela office on 0131 347 2600. Tickets for all other events are available at www.hubtickets.co.uk or phone 0131 473 2000. Site passes can be bought at the entrance on the day. Full programme is available on www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk
3. Yatra//Journey is funded by the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund. It will bring together the traditional musical cultures of traditional Scotland and South Asia with Japanese drummers.
4. More information on Des-C can be found at http://www.des-c.net/biog.htm
5. Forth Ports PLC owns and operates the Ports of Grangemouth, Leith, Rosyth, Methil and Burntisland on the River Forth, the Port of Dundee on the River Tay and Port of Tilbury on the River Thames. Forth Ports PLC is also a significant landowner with extensive property interests and a number of high profile developments. These include the Scottish Government offices and Ocean Terminal shopping centre – home to the former Royal Yacht Britannia - at Leith, the Western Harbour, Granton Harbour and Leith Docks developments on Edinburgh’s waterfront, and the City Quay development at Dundee.
