A Festival of Folk Music, Song and Dance from around the world

The Ethnic Minority Centre, Merton in association with the London Borough of Merton presented a multi-cultural
variety folk programme called “A Festival of Folk Music, Song and Dance from around the world” on the
27th May 2000 at the Merton Hall, South Wimbledon. This show was a uk@musiclive programme,
which was part of the BBC Music Live week that took place from 25th – 29th May 2000.

The show presented a multitude of cultural items by over 80 professional and amateur artists from in and around Merton.
The Mayor of Merton, Cllr Ian Mann was the chief guest. The show opened with a brief introductory speech by the
EMC chairman, Cllr M A Karim, MBE. The comperes of the day, Mrs. Razia Nawaz Shariff and Mr Tony Luis read
out the programme of the day, whereby the first half of the programme consisted mainly of dance items with song
and instrumental music being performed in the second half of the show.

The show started with a scintillating performance by the youthful “Forest Gate Steel Band Orchestra” that
played some calypso caribbean music that left the audience spellbound. This was followed by a bright coloured Ribbon
dance by the children’s group of the London South West Chinese Community. This was followed by some
beautiful Sri Lankan folk dances performed by Dance Master

Thura and party. The LSWC performed again with a Mongolian dance which was marked by very graceful
dance movements and soft Oriental music. The Kincorragh School of Irish Music performed 4 Irish folk dances
by a 14 piece dance troupe wearing the traditional dress of Ireland. Nina Ghosh-Chowdhuri then
performed 3 Barathanatyam dances and gave a small talk on each one of these.

After the interval, the Goan Musical Society (GMS Ensemble) performed 2 Goan dances, a Portuguese
dance and an instrumental rhapsody of popular Goan folk music. Pakistani and Indian music by renown
artists like Naeem Salaria and Sabitri Ray was well appreciated amongst the audience.
Keyboard player and singer, Farooqi then performed some North Indian songs. The programme ended
with a great rendition of Caribbean instrumental music with world renowned saxophonist
John Hope in which the audience joined in the choruses.

Cllr Karim thanked everyone involved in the production of the show. The programme ended with
the leader of the Merton council, Cllr Peter Holt giving away certificates to participanting group leaders.
Miss Joan, Vivian Mai, Mrs N Shah and Ms Shah were the flag bearers whereas the superb stage
team consisted of William Fernandes, Norman Cortez and William Marques.

This sell out show was well attended by 200 people and it generated its own funding. The organizers
are grateful to the London Borough of Merton for all the help and expertise provided to ensure the show
was a great success.

Mark Homer and Iqbal Hussain, Art Officers from the London Borough Merton Council worked
together as a team along with Sabitri Ray (EMC) and João Paulo Cota (GMS),
who were the joint co-ordinators of the programme