Ellesmere Multicultural Event

Story: Michelle Cook

Photos: Marc Charlton

Staff wore fancy dress as the festivities began at Ellesmere Young Children's Centre's annual Multicultural Event on Friday June 26th.

Paradise Steel Band from Leeds provided the Calypso sound in the afternoon sunshine in the beautiful garden, full of sculptures, a wooden summer house and mosaics. Beneath a gazebo, tables were decorated with flowers, ribbons and crystals, almost like a wedding, the perfect setting for SADACCA Ladies' Group to provide a delicious meal of Caribbean mutton, dumplings and fried chicken with Asian samosas.

Inside, an African drumming workshop got underway. Godson and Moses, from UK Mama restaurant, guided a group of tiny tots through their paces; others scampered on the bouncy castle and ball pool or had their faces painted. Time for the adults to relax: nail art, henna and makeovers were on offer plus massage and therapy. After sampling the homemade cakes on sale, it was time to join in the dancing workshops. A dozen folk were soon jiggling away with attitude to "Bollywood dancing". We were entertained by a performance of Capoeira from Cordao De Ouro. Capoeira is a Brazilian dance/martial art combining the control of Eastern fighting styles and the fluidity of dance.