This weekend in Stanley Park, the South Asian Family Association is pleased to present their annual cross-cultural extravaganza, Sawan Mela, occurring on the weekend of June 13 and 14. SAFA’s mandate is to create cross-cultural awareness as well as provide a platform for youth to showcase their talent. The Sawan Mela originally began in 2002 in South Vancouver and now 7 years later, is set to take over Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park for two exciting days.
This free public festival is suitable for kids of ALL ages. There is sure to be something for everyone at the Sawan Mela. Whether you enjoy your butter chicken or pine for tangy dosas…or perhaps desire a mini-makeover or mehndi, the marketplace is full of delights to tempt all of the senses: delicious smells and aromas, bright and vibrant colours and an exhibition by local artisans as well as yoga classes.
On our mainstage under the Sawan Mela tent, local performers from the Lower Mainland will entertain for hours on end. From Bhangra & Bolly to Filmi & Fusion to Giddha and Garba, the team at SAFA will turn Stanley Park into Little India. Little India with a few visitors however…performers from the Violet Moore Irish School of Dance, Vancouver Korean Drummers, Bluesette, Steveston Taiko Drummers, Argentian Tango, Eagle Song Dancers will be sharing the stage with Punjab Cultural Arts Centre, Giddha Punjabna Da, Sitara Thobani, Sulochana Dance Academy, Surrey India Arts Club, Juggy Jag (Jugpreet Bajwa), Jawani Bhangra, Duniya Dance Academy, Slumdog Millionaire Dancers and Karima Essa & Merlyn Prakash amongst others. A full line-up is available at www.safa.ca.
Following the festival on Saturday night, there will be Bollywood movie starting at 7:30pm. The movie, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” (DDLJ) was produced in 1995 and just finished a 700 week run in Mumbai this past March. Translated to “The Brave Heart will take the Bride”, it is one of the highest grossing Bolly films earning 580 crores INR in India and over 175 crores overseas.
The festival and movie screening is completely FREE!! So, come out and enjoy this festival as the weather will definitely be sunny!
WHAT: SAWAN MELA 7
WHEN: SATURDAY JUNE 13 AND SUNDAY JUNE 14, 2009, 2 – 8PM
WHERE: STANLEY PARK, LUMBERMAN’S ARCH. MAP, DIRECTIONS & SHUTTLE SERVICE INFO
WHY: A FREE CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA FEATURING MEHNDI, MASTI AND MUCH MORE. OVER 30 LOCAL PERFORMANCES CELEBRATING CULTURE AND HERITAGE. SHUTTLE SERVICE TO AND FROM BURRARD STATION.
