The Roses turn to Bloom
Saturday 31 August
2.30 p.m.
A concert from India, Ireland, and Scotland

A programme of musical innovation in tribute to the Scottish internationalist and poet Hamish Henderson (1920 - 2002).
There will be performances of the popular ensemble pieces from the 1997 and 1999 Melas Melange and Interlace, plus a new arrangement of Hamish Henderson's celebrated song of freedom, peace and friendship, rich in imagery and symbolism, Freedom Cam A' Ye (Freedom Come All Ye)
with
Sangeet Mala, Asian Chorus from Fife
Pipes & Drums from Ireland & Scotland
Samba Drums and Dhol Drums of Scotland
Keyboards & Brass Section
Composed, arranged & conducted by Colin Blakey
Soloists for Freedom Cam A' Ye: Bani Bhattacharya and Sheena Wellington, the singer at the opening of the Scottish Parliament

Following months of preparation with their own groups in Scotland and Ireland (co-ordinated at long-distance by musical director Colin Blakey) several dozen musicians will be converging on Edinburgh for Mela weekend to join together all their individual rehearsed pieces into a spectacular live performance.

Sunday 1 September
1.30 pm
A concert from China, Pakistan and Scotland
Soundings From Three Lands
Nafees Ahmed Khan (Sitar) - Karachi
Raees Ahmed Khan (Violin) - Rawalpindi
Colin Blakey (Pipes, percussion) - Argyll Click here to visit Colin's website
Kim Ho Ip (Yang Qin) - Hong Kong Click here to listen to an Interview with Kim
Nafees, Raees, Colin and Kim Ho are joined by a group of local musicians as they bring a programme of music fusing the melodies of China, Pakistan and Scotland, with more than a hint of other grooves picked up along the way.

The Roses turn to Bloom and Soundings From Three Lands are supported by Cairn Energy, Unison and the PRS Foundation.

In many ways these projects encapsulate what the Edinburgh Mela is about, in bringing together a range of different cultures and people and harmonising each unique viewpoint and musical voice into a musical fusion which is greater than the some of its parts.