BOLLYWOOD 100 MELA Set for The Arcadian Centre Today

In celebration of 100 years of Bollywood film, Birmingham Hippodrome, in partnership with Sampad, bring a colourful mela of Indian dance and culture to Southside's Arcadian Centre today 22 June from 12 noon-5pm. This FREE outdoor event, part of the theatre's Summer in Southside! programme, features an exciting day of activities and performances for all the family.

Headlining the event is singer-songwriter, performer, actress, model and poet, AMBIKA JOIS a promising and upcoming performer in the UK Asian music scene. Trained in Carnatic (South Indian classical) music, Ambika gleams with versatility in singing Bollywood, jazz, soul, RnB and pop, which has opened doors for her experimental creation "Indioul", fusing soul and jazz with Indian musical styles.

Visitors to The Arcadian will also be able to enjoy a whole host of colourful dance including the acclaimed Atreyee Dance Group blending various Indian semi-classical and contemporary dance forms; Rair Dance Group from Birmingham bringing energetic Bollywood dance to the stage; Hina Dancersfeaturing dancers aged 13-32 years who perform all over the country; dynamic ladies dance group Haripa! and West Midlands based dance troupeBollywood Dreams Dance Company .

The day will also feature Mehndi and face painting, South Asian Crafts, Bollywood accessories, T-shirt printing and stilt characters Maharajah and The Princess adding glamour and fun.

Paul Kaynes, Director of Creative Programmes at Birmingham Hippodrome said "We are delighted to be involved in celebrating 100 years of Bollywood films by bringing this colourful free event to Southside. Music, dance, and comedy feature throughout the day so whether people are coming to the theatre, having a meal or shopping in the Bull Ring we encourage them to visit The Arcadian for this very unique one off event."

Piali Ray OBE, Director sampad said "We are very excited to be working with Birmingham Hippodrome as part of the Bollywood 100 in Birmingham Festival. The Bollywood 100 Mela promises to be a lively day of fun for all the family, so come along and soak up some of the unique atmosphere and sparkle of Bollywood and enjoy a range of activities including free music and dance performances."

BOLLYWOOD 100 MELA takes place in The Arcadian, opposite Birmingham Hippodrome's main entrance on Hurst Street, today 22 June from 12 noon - 5pm and is FREE to all visitors.

Bollywood 100 in Birmingham Festival runs from 7-30 June and celebrates 100 years of Bollywood film with an exciting programme of events across the city. For further information, go to http://www.sampad.org.uk/bollywood100inbirmingham.

Birmingham Hippodrome is an unsubsidised, independent registered charity at the heart of the Southside district in the city centre. Home to Birmingham Royal Ballet and DanceXchange, it presents a diverse programme of ballet and opera, musicals, comedy, drama, dance and the world's biggest pantomime. It is the Midlands residency of Welsh National Opera. Birmingham Hippodrome delivers a thriving education programme, is committed to enabling access for all, and is expanding its work outdoors and beyond the mainstage as part of its Creative Programme. The theatre operates its own hospitality and conference services and a training subsidiary, Creative Shift.

Established in 1990 sampad is a development agency for South Asian arts based in Birmingham. It plays a significant role regionally, nationally and beyond in promoting the appreciation and practice of the diverse art forms originating from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

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