Nottingham City Council is once again proud to announce another weekend of FREE activities for everyone to enjoy - Nottingham Pride and the Nottingham Mela festivals, taking place as part of the annual One City One World season.

Kick start your weekend with Nottingham Pride 2008 on Saturday 26 July at the Arboretum followed by the Nottingham Mela on Sunday 27 July, 12.30pm – 6pm in the Old Market Square.

Nottingham Pride begins at 12noon till 6pm with a welcome speech from the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Gul Nawaz Khan. Throughout the day festival-goers will be entertained by live performances including country music, an Abba tribute band, stand-up comedy, an indie rock band and pop sensations Billiam, who are headlining the event. Billiam will be rounding off the day with a rendition of their chart single ‘My Generation’ amongst other songs.

The weekend doesn’t stop there. Why not spend your Sunday afternoon in the city centre and experience first class Asian music, dance, art and culture for FREE. For the first time in Nottingham’s Mela history, it will be held in the Old Market Square. Headlining this year’s celebrations is the internationally acclaimed Pratap Pawar and Triveni Dance Company, with their fusion of Indian Bathak and African dance.

Now in its 20th year, the Nottingham Mela is the most established celebration of its kind in the UK and takes its name from the Sanskrit word for gathering. Every summers thousands of people from different cultures come together to attend Melas throughout Britain.

Councillor David Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Leisure and Culture said: “Nottingham City Council continues to support diverse arts and events activities throughout the year which every resident can easily enjoy. Nottingham Pride and the Nottingham Mela are events that are attracting new and bigger audiences each year, providing a boost to the city’s cultural offer as well as highlighting the wonderful mix of communities living in the city today.”

Whatever your tastes, there’s bound to be something to entertain you and your family. Plan your One City One World weekend by visiting www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/onecity for a full performance schedule.