Glasgow Mela lands on the southside doorstep

It’s all happening southside this month — and on Saturday, it was time for Pollokshields to shine with Mela on Your Doorstep.

The Glasgow Mela launched taster events for the first time in 2015, and the second of the two took place at Tramway and the Hidden Gardens — giving southsiders a sneak peek at what to expect next month at Kelvingrove Park.

The new format also marks the 25th anniversary of the multicultural festival, running from noon until 8pm on June 14.

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Visitors to the southside version were treated to Bhangra and Bollywood dance classes, hands-on cultural cookery workshops and - of course - a taste of the performers gracing the bandstand stage next month.

Dhol Drummers, Govanhill Voices, Abhinaya, Celtic Belles, the Asia Deaf Club, the Irish Heritage Foundation and Roma band E Karika Djal showed off the southside’s cultural diversity — a proud moment for Glasgow Mela chair and southside central councillor Soryia Siddique.

She told The Extra: “Mela on Your Doorstep at both Tramway and Barmulloch have been successful and welcomed.

“Thousands of people attended the community celebrations joining in with the cookery, dance classes and henna painting.

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“The colours, food tasting, arts and music are a flavour of the main event at Kelvingrove Park.

“I am delighted we will be welcoming the mighty Dhol Foudation in collaboration with festival favourites Red Hot Chilli Pippers. These music giants will take the stage together for a one of performance to celebrate Glasgow Mela’s 25th Birthday.

“We look forward to seeing you there.”

Following on from last month’s taster in Barmulloch, the southside Mela on Your Doorstep was delivered by Glasgow Life and Glasgow Arts, supported by the Southside and Pollokshields area partnerships.

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