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Desi Day: Baisakhi: A Desi New Year & Spring Festival
Sat 9 May at 2:00 pm – 6:30 pm BST
Free
Baisakhi is a South Asian festival marking the New Year and the arrival of spring. Step into this rich and vibrant cultural celebration through storytelling, music, dance, creative crafts and traditional food. Part of Desi Day – celebrating South Asian culture with a series of events at Arnolfini.
Rooted in renewal, harvest and new beginnings, this joyful, family-friendly event, led by artists Shakeel Delwar and Sayambrita Mukerjee, invites everyone to welcome the season and explore the rhythms and traditions of South Asian culture. DJ and producer Indian Man will close the show with a 30-minute DJ set.
Venue: Arnolfini Arts, BS1 4QA
For all ages
Programme
2:00 PM — Doors Open
2:05 PM — Welcome & Opening
by hosts Sayambrita Mukherjee & Shakeel Delwar
2:20 PM — Storytelling
A story of Baisakhi by Shakeel Delwar
2:40 PM — Bengali Dance Performance
by Barsha Bhowmick, followed by a short and fun dance workshop
3:10 PM — Punjabi Dance Workshop
by Sachin Babbar — join in and learn some energetic moves!
3:45 PM — Live Fusion Band
Dildar & Jeevan Singh (RSVP) joined by Bengali artist Dragon Saif and producer Taank for a high-energy Punjabi–Bengali collaboration
4:30 PM — Open Mic
Local voices sharing music and poetry
5:00 PM — Panel Discussion + Q&A
Reflections on Baisakhi, hosted by Sheetal Jethwa
6:00 PM — DJ Set: Indian Man
Dance into the evening with high-energy beats
Drop-in Activities (Throughout the Event)
Bengali & Punjabi Food & Drinks
Available all afternoon by Shei Shaad
Saree Stall
Beautiful hand loomed sarees available to buy and order
Seed Planting
With The Bristol Rainforest
Face Painting
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
