Patrick Beers  – Pair of Return Flights to Cairo

Laura McMenanin – Return Crossing on Belfast to Stranraer

Dinuka Wijesinghe – First Class return train tickets from Belfast to Dublin

Paula McFetridge – Night stay for two in Merchant Hotel

Qussei Buhidma – Dinner for Two in Lolita, Stranmillis

Norma Gourley – Far Eastern Hamper

The 2010 Mela boasts an expandedprogramme. This is evidence of the Mela’sambition over the past four years, as itcontinues to increase its audience andscope, giving more and more communitiesthroughout Belfast the opportunity to join inand celebrate our unique cultural diversity.

The Mela also has a fresh and vibrantprogramme of activities, bringing both localand international talent to the Belfast stagewhile providing opportunities for artists of allgenres’ to showcase their talent in front ofa large and diverse audiences. This year’sprogramme includes the magical Kawa Circus from Rajasthan, supported by ourown Belfast Community Circus and in a truefusion of cultures; there will be opportunitiesto participate in cookery demonstrations, aninteractive cultural area for children and try outthe traditional craft of weaving,- once a thrivingindustry here.

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One artist who has been at the forefront of this is Jassi Sidhu. It was clear even from the outset that Jassi was destined for the international success that he would go on to achieve later in his career.

His rise to fame began almost instantly as a fresh faced 17 year old as the lead singer of the world renown boy-band B21. The band went on to become one of the, if not the, biggest phenomena in bhangra music to date, with a sound and style that captivated a generation. In just a 5 year period Jassi went on to sing anthems such as ‘Darshan’ from the hit film ‘Bend it like Bekham’  ‘Jawani’ and ‘Jaan’ that would establish him as the UK’s premier vocalist.

Alas, all good things come to an end and after the roller coaster ride that was B21, 2002 saw Jassi venture out and take the huge step of becoming a solo artist.

In 2004 Jassi came back with a bang, answering his critics and fulfilling all expectations with the award winning album ‘Reality Check’. The album became an international best seller and paved the way for Jassi’s meteoric rise in India, a territory previously un-explored. This culminated with him winning the best international album award at the prestigious ETC Punjabi Music awards 2004. Bhangra lover’s world-wide couldn’t get enough of tracks such as ‘Ranja’ ‘Veer Ji’ and ‘Ama Ni Ama’ and Jassi firmly established himself as an international star.

Such was the impact made by Jassi’s debut solo album, that 2005 saw the release in India of his greatest hits. Jassi’s re-make of his own 1998 classic ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashique’ went on to cement his place as a huge international artist. This was underlined once again when he picked up best international singer at the ETC Punjabi music awards 2005.

Jassi went on to release his second solo album in 2006 with ‘No strings attached’ producing dance-floor smashes like ‘Raahe Raahe’ and ‘Puth Jatt Thaa’. Not only in the UK, but internationally, the demand for Jassi Sidhu was huge. He went on to perform at venues in cities across the globe including Canada, USA, Singapore and Malaysia, Africa, India and Europe.

In 2008 Jassi unleashed his biggest album to date on audiences world-wide. Released in March ‘The New Adventures of Jassi Sidhu’ features the production talents of international producers ‘Rishi Rich’ and ‘Aman Hayer’, as well as Jassi’s own inimitable style. Yet it’s the now anthem like duet ‘Ki Kehneh’ which saw another legend from the UK bhangra music fraternity ‘Malkit Singh’ join Jassi on lead vocals that sent dance floors across the globe crazy. The new album not only underlined Jassi’s status as one of Punjabi music’s finest singers and performers, but has catapulted his career to a whole new level. After spending weeks at the number one spot worldwide and already establishing itself as the number 1 selling album of 2008, the album already has its place in bhangra history.

The reciept of this award is an extremely important achievement for ArtsEkta, as we continue to develop Belfast Mela in a flagship event for the city. We are extremely proud that we have been recognised and endorsed by key organisations in the sector. The Belfast Mela is undoubtely a best practice event that is combating racism and sectariainsim and promoting integration.

www.judithcassidy.co.uk

The project will deliver Northern IrelandÕs largest multi-cultural festival ÔBelfast MelaÕ which is an artistically led celebration of ethnic culture and creativity. The event features an innovative programme of international dance, drama, music, food and visual arts over two days in Botanic Gardens. It promotes peace and reconciliation by encouraging expressions of multiple cultural identities in a shared space helping to build mutual respect and raise cultural awareness through the arts. This programme will also include the delivery of five targeted community-based outreach programmes to three youth groups and two womenÕs group. The aim of this outreach programme is to explicitly link multiply deprived areas with cultural activity. Through an adaption of ArtsEktaÕs ÔCultural CoachÕ outreach programme (see attached) and inter-cultural training the project aims to build positive relations at a local level and promote reconciliation. Participants will work towards creating visual artworks from different cultures which will form part of an exhibition at the Mela. We will adopt an innovative approach with a strong cultural, cross-community and inclusive focus centred on the ethos of a shared cultural space.

ArtsEkta would like to thank Belfast City Council for this award and looks forward to delivering a great project that will deliver real change on the ground using the arts