Parramasala opens with a Bollywood night party on November 8 and closes with screenign of Sholay on November 11
Sholay movie to be screened free at Townhall Square, Church St Mall at 8pm on the closing night on November 11
Come one, come all! This years’ Parramasala has lots of exciting programs. Kicking off with Bollywood style party and closing with Hariprasad Chaurasia’s concert at Riverside theatre and a screening of Bollywood blockbuster movie Sholay on openstage at Townhall square, Church Street Mall in Parramatta.
Bollywood style dance party on the openign night at Townhall square on Novemver 8 from early evening
Parramasala – Australia’s Festival of South Asian Arts returns this year with an exciting line-up of artists from Indian subcontinent representing India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand and further afield says Peter Rolfe, festivals’ director. Parramasala now in its third year and held in Parramatta has lots of interesting highlights this year. The Outdoor Stage in Town Hall Square runs throughout the festival and hosts an entirely free program of outstanding music, dance and visual delights. Performers include, amongst many others, Bollywood inspired band The Bombay Royale, Sydney’s premiere Sri Lankan dance and music group Sankha Ridma, multi-talented electronica group Tablatronics, Melbourne’s Fine Blue Thread, Sydney’s Mahmood Khan, Western Sydney’s emerging hip hop star El Fresh and cross-cultural music collaborators Nafas.
Closing night sees a blockbuster screening on the Outdoor Stage of Bollywood blockbuster of the 1970’s movie Sholay, one of India’s most famous and successful Bollywood action films from the 1970s. It will be screened at Townhall square at 8pm. Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia will present a live concert at 6pm at Riverside Theatre.
Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia to perform live at Riverside Theatre on November 11 at 6pm
Launched on September 26 by the NSW Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, the Hon Barry O’Farrell and the Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Cr John Chedid at Parramatta Town Hall, Parramasala kicks off on 8 November with a sensational Bollywood-style opening night party, followed by four jam-packed days of theatre, music, comedy, delicious cuisine, market stalls and free outdoor entertainment.
Cr Chedid said the program showcases many facets of South Asian-influenced arts and is set to draw thousands of people to Parramatta.
“We are looking forward to hosting this unique festival again and welcoming international performers and visitors to our beautiful city.
“Parramatta is the perfect place to stage a major festival like Parramasala. The City also happens to be the epicentre of South Asian cultural diversity in Sydney and Australia,” Cr Chedid said.
“The 2012 program is filled with a huge variety of contemporary and traditional performances spanning all genres. There is certainly something for everyone.
“One of the program highlights is the Masala Markets, featuring a licensed Festival Bar, authentic cuisine, and market stalls that will transform Church Street Mall into a South Asian bazaar. This new, exciting space is ripe for discovery and timed perfectly for city workers to explore during lunch or after work.
“I encourage visitors to our City to stay a little longer and enjoy some of the other great things our city has to offer, such as our diverse array of restaurants, beautiful river foreshore and our rich cultural heritage.”
The festival is presented in two key precincts in the heart of Parramatta; Town Hall Square in Church Street Mall and in and around the Riverside Theatres.
For the full Parramasala program and to book tickets, visit www.parramasala.com.au.
HIGHLIGHTS
Bollywood Block Party
A Bollywood Block Party will open the festival and take over Church Street Mall. Featuring special guest MC and the legendary Australian music icon, Kamahl, the evening will feature inspired beats, mass choreographed dance sequences and full on percussion, mixed with bright lights and all the action you’d expect of a Bollywood blockbuster.
Thursday 8 November – Early evening till late – Church St Mall, Parramatta
Masala Markets and Free Outdoor Stage
The buzzing centrepiece of the festival! With more than 30 stalls with South Asian-inspired food, fashion, spices, fabrics, arts, crafts and refreshments, Church Street Mall will have a great atmosphere.
The big Outdoor Stage will showcase, for free, an extraordinary range of international and Australian musicians and performers including The Bombay Royale, who are back to perform their unique brand of intoxicating rhythms and seductive lyrics. As a stunning backdrop, Parramatta Town Hall will be transformed into a giant screen resplendent in exquisite South Asian imagery.
The Masala Markets also feature a licensed Festival Bar, which will be open late each night, providing great views of the Outdoor Stage and all the action of the festival.
8-11 November: Church St Mall, Parramatta
Riverside Theatres program
The Riverside Theatres feature an exciting array of musical performances which span many genres, including Circle of Sound which will take you on a breath-taking audio-visual journey through India and Europe and multi-award winning vocalist, Susheela Raman who will amaze you with her electrifying blend of South Asian music and soulful blues.
There is also a feast of eye-opening, inspirational and cutting edge film in the form of South Asian Film in Focus, featuring films from new filmmakers of South Asia.
Parramasala is supported by Destination NSW and Parramatta City Council.
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