First acts for 2018 Big Weekend and Mela announced!

Celebrate summer this July at The Big Weekend and Cambridge Mela on Parker’s Piece, one of the city’s best loved free outdoor events provided by Cambridge City Council and organised by local charity Cambridge Live.

 

Welcoming thousands of all ages across the three days, the city centre’s historic open space is transformed with an array of different attractions and a stream of top artists descending on Cambridge to play alongside local talent throughout the weekend to entertain.

 

Kicking off Friday night and putting everyone in a party mood are: Cambridge based Swagger, a five-piece funk, rock and cheese band; followed by Ultimate Elton and The Rocket Band - Crocodile Rock, I’m Still Standing, Candle in the Wind, Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me -   hailed by record producer, Stuart Epps as ‘simply the best Elton tribute you will see or hear anywhere.’ The music finishes with some 90s style ‘I’m Too Sexy’ pop nostalgia from multi-platinum and Ivor Novello award-winning band Right Said Fred before the Big Weekend’s stunning fireworks display at 10pm. The ever popular BPM Live Silent Disco will be on Friday and Saturday night this year.

 

And on Saturday, there’s even more to enjoy! Whether it’s mouthwatering treats from the French Market, the food stalls and Cambridge Live Bar (all present for the whole weekend); screen time in the ARM Gaming Hub in partnership with Cambridge Regional College; Light Cinema Marquee; Dance Marquee; getting up close to science in the University of Cambridge’s TTP sponsored Fun Lab; enjoying some storytelling with The Big Read which also marks Cambridge Storytellers’ 20th anniversary; getting creative and messy in the Leaders’ Children’s Entertainment Area including, Art Tent,  face painting, story telling relay; activities in the University Museums of Cambridge Make and Create tents, finding out more about French and Spanish languages and cultures with Alliance Francaise and Cambridge Spanish Centre; getting active in the Sports Zone; throwing some shapes on the dancefloor in the silent disco or enjoying local up and coming acts on the local bands stage, Saturday offers entertainment and activity packed hours of free entertainment for all.

 

Continuing the city’s celebration of 100 years of women’s vote, the anniversary comes to life throughout the Big Weekend with women of note performing and a special celebratory CAMVote100 Marquee on the Sunday.

 

At the heart of The Big Weekend is live music and whatever you like, there will be something worth listening to. Showcasing partnerships with Cambridge Regional College, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Band competitions and Subterranean Festival, an array of musical talent will feature on the ARU Local Bands Stage, hosted by Cambridge 105.  Also look out for local community choirs and a long list of acts on the King Street Lettings sponsored Main Stage, including the winners of the Cambridge Band competition; country rockabilly from Jacen Brace and his band Hold Fast, and in the evening two big headliners finish off a day of incredible music, legendary reggae producer, songwriter, performer, dub innovator and musical genius Lee Scratch Perry with fellow heavyweight Mad Professor followed by classic ska and reggae from The Neville Staple Band.

 

As well as Food stalls, the bar, and French Market, Sunday at the Big Weekend, will feature the ever popular Cambridge Mela, celebrating Asian culture and sponsored this year by Thela Street Food Secrets from India.  Music, song and dance can be enjoyed in the Mela Performance Marquee, with acts from Natyanjali Dance School and Sanskruti School of Dance, Indian Cultural Society, Cambridge Chinese Community Centre, Bangladesh Welfare and Cultural Association Stage with local, national and international stars of the Asian music scene also performing on the Main Stage, including UK bhangra superstars RSVP Bhangra, DJ Sonny Ji. East Beatz West, and the Dutch-Pakistani Mela headliner Imran Khan (www.imrankhanworld.com). There will also be a Mela traders marquee full of Asian arts and craft stalls, charity stalls and activities.

 

Dance lovers can look forward to Sunday’s Dance Marquee with demonstrations and workshops throughout the day with music and dance displays from Scottish, Polish and Greek dance to belly dance, classical Indian, Cuban salsa and more. And the Sports Zone continues on Sunday with World Cup football activities!

 

Richard Johnson, Executive Councillor for Communities at Cambridge City Council said: ‘The Big Weekend is one of Cambridge’s favourite events, and is certainly back with a bang for 2018 with a programme which celebrates the rich diversity of the City including the Cambridge Mela and VOTE 100, the anniversary of votes for women. Importantly the Big Weekend remains a free event, with something for everyone and so I urge you to mark this date on your calendar now – noting it is slightly later than usual.’

 

 

With thanks to: King Street Lettings, TTP, ARM, Leaders, ARU, Thela, Cambridge Water, Novahub, Cambridge Edition, Heart Radio and Cambridge 105.