Leicester’s Cultural Quarter will be a vibrant hive of activity this June as An Indian Summer festival comes to the City for the third year running.
Film festivals, workshops, a range of entertainment performances and Indian stalls will be held at a series of venues across the city including Curve Theatre and Phoenix, as festival organisers aim to bring the sights, sounds and tastes of India to Leicester.
One of the festival’s organisers, Bipin Anand, said: “We are so excited to be bringing a taste of the rich and varied culture of India to the heart of Leicester; as it is the City is a melting pot of different cultures and we hope to get everyone involved in what we hope will be the best year of the festival yet!”
The festival – which attracted 3,500 visitors last year and is being supported by University of Leicester and UK Thermals this year – will run from Thursday June 27 to Sunday June 30.
Film-enthusiasts can head to Phoenix, which will host a film festival, showcasing classic Indian films such as Zanjeer and contemporary greats like Barfi and Midnight’s Children. The LCB Depot and Curve Theatre will host a range of games and competitions – including a chapatti roll-off, the traditional Indian game Carrom and giant snakes and ladders.
Renowned comedian Paul Chowdhury – of Channel 4’s Stand Up for the Week – will be performing a stand-up comedy show at Curve Theatre, there will also be a burlesque show, music gigs and dance performances across the supporting venues.
The Curve Theatre will play host to health and wellbeing talks – including tips on healthy Indian diets, talks on faith and spirituality, arts and social politics, including a contemporarily relevant discussion on the current situation of abuse towards women in India. A panel discussion on mixed race marriages will also be held.
The vibrancy and culture of India will be heightened in the form of an Indian bazaar, rickshaws, and decoration of venues. Bipin said: “The venues themselves will be draped in vibrant materials, Indian decorations, window paintings, flower garlands, buntings and lighting. Visitors will get an experience that is second only to actually being in India!”
Indian head massages, henna tattoos and boot polishing will all be on offer to visitors, there will also be curry cooking workshops (Chutney Ivy), Indian dance workshops (Studio79) and cocktail tasting classes (Manhattan34). For those with an interest in fitness there will be a range of yoga classes at the Curve, including Hatha Yoga and Laughter Yoga and for those wishing to pick up a few language skills the Exchange will host a range of Indian language classes.
Exhibitions will include digital kite flying at Phoenix and an Open Art Exhibition at the LCB Depot. There will also be the opportunity to sample Indian street food as well as gourmet Indian cuisine.
For more information visit http://www.indiansummer.org.uk/