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Edinburgh Festival: Ladies night kickstarts mela

22/ 8/2008

Families, festival die-hards and arts aficionados will find a wealth of cheap and free events at the Edinburgh Mela Festival in Leith, which kick starts this Sunday with Sakhian Ladies Night .

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 can head off to the mela.

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 (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, the ladies nght 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.

Said director of the Edinburgh Mela Festival, Liam Sinclair: "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."