A South Asian arts and culture festival returns today (7 July), with eight months of film, music, dance, storytelling and shared cultural experiences planned for audiences across Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The third annual Sensasian festival begins with a screening of Joyland, an award-winning Pakistani film exploring gender, sexuality and patriarchal family structures, at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery this evening.
It will continue with a showcase of performances and activities at Appetite’s The Big Feast festival in Hanley on Saturday, 29 August.
The Sesasian zone will feature storyteller Peter Chand, henna art with Cherrie Matharu, Indian block printing workshops with Jo Sumpter of Hello Tinka and Nandita Shankardass’s critically acclaimed dance production Roots to Rise.
On Wednesday, 18 November, there will be a performance by the Inner Vision Quintet, led by virtuoso sitar player Baluji Shrivastav OBE, at Keele Chapel.
And Sensasian concludes at the New Vic Theatre on Thursday 11 February with Aunusthan – A Celebration of Neo-Classical Indian Dance and Music from Pagrav Dance Company.
The production showcases the North Indian classical dance style Kathak – which expresses stories through movement, footwork and facial gestures – with choreography, live music and performances by a cast of British Asian dance artists.
Appetite director Emily Labhart said: “What makes Sensasian special is that it has been shaped alongside members of the South Asian community in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire since it launched in 2023.
“The festival creates opportunities for people to come together through shared cultural experiences – whether that’s watching a film, seeing a performance, taking part in a workshop or simply spending time with others and discovering something new.
“We’re particularly excited to introduce a dedicated Sensasian area at The Big Feast this year. It’s a chance to bring the programme to even more people and celebrate the richness and diversity of South Asian arts and culture as part of one of the region’s biggest free outdoor events.”
Sensasian is organised by Appetite in partnership with the New Vic Theatre, The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and Arts Keele.
For more information about the festival, and to book tickets, follow this link.
- Volunteers are needed to help at this year’s The Big Feast festival. Appetite said it will work with volunteers to match their interests and skills with the most suitable roles. Anyone who is interested should visit Appetite’s website or email volunteering@appetite.org.uk.
