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Gravesham Fusion Festival offers jazz, calypso, bhangra, Bollywood, Irish dance, eastern European folk and street art

If there was ever a time to come together in a show of unity, it was now.

And hundreds of people did that over the weekend as cultures celebrated together.

Sun, jazz, calypso, bhangra, Bollywood, Irish dance, eastern European folk and street art were on the menu at the Fusion Festival which took place across Gravesend town centre on Saturday.

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Four by Four Bhangra will be at the mela
Four by Four Bhangra will be at the mela

In previous years, the festival has been held in one place but this year, it moved around the town with performances at spots including the market, the Clock Tower in Harmer Street, High Street, Windmill Street, New Road and King Street.

NutKhut stilt walkers meet Maddison Benfield, six. Picture: Andy Payton
NutKhut stilt walkers meet Maddison Benfield, six. Picture: Andy Payton

The aim was to unite the communities of the borough through music, dance and visual arts.

Video by Andy Payton

The weekend of the festival also marked the first anniversary of the murder of Jo Cox MP and this was marked up and down the country with a series of events under the umbrella of The Great Get Together.

Four by Four Bhangra. Picture: Andy Payton
Four by Four Bhangra. Picture: Andy Payton
Bollywood Brass play in New Road. Picture: Andy Payton
Bollywood Brass play in New Road. Picture: Andy Payton

As part of the festival, Gravesham Mayor Cllr Harold Craske attended a gathering in Gravesend Borough Market along with members of the community who brought along different styles of food to share.

Kitka Bulgarian Folk, in Windmill Street. Picture: Andy Payton
Kitka Bulgarian Folk, in Windmill Street. Picture: Andy Payton

The festival was organised by Cohesion Plus, working in partnership with Kent Equality Cohesion Council, supported by Gravesham Borough Council and Arts Council England.

Video by Andy Payton

Organiser Gurvinder Sandher said: “I was very pleased with the response that we had to the Fusion Festival.

Street artists Electric Cabaret. Picture: Andy Payton
Street artists Electric Cabaret. Picture: Andy Payton

“This was a new departure for us, to organise a pop-up street festival and it was so pleasing to see the smiles on people’s faces as the performances took place and the feedback we received from members of the public.

Video by Andy Payton

“The last few weeks have been challenging ones for our country with the recent terror attacks.

Reel Eire Irish Dance, in New Road. Picture: Andy Payton
Reel Eire Irish Dance, in New Road. Picture: Andy Payton

“The whole aim of this event was to bring communities together and to celebrate our shared values and the positive community relations we enjoy in Gravesham.

Video by Andy Payton

“It is important that we stand together as a community, shoulder to shoulder, not allowing others to try and come and divide us.

The Jazz Swingtette, from left, Danny Sherwood, Len Saunders and John Finch. Picture: Andy Payton
The Jazz Swingtette, from left, Danny Sherwood, Len Saunders and John Finch. Picture: Andy Payton

“I believe our festival, which included the Great Get Together, made a positive contribution in this regard.”

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