All things Indian will be celebrated and discussed at a free evening of art, culture, music and food when a unique arts festival is launched at Wolverhampton Art Gallery on Saturday (20 May).

'India Rocks... or Not' will look at Indian Culture from a uniquely British Asian view and will celebrate the launch of Alchemy Black Country - an arts festival focusing on the relationship between Britain and South Asia.

The launch at the Lichfield Street gallery will take place between 6pm and 9.30pm, and features an exclusive performance from mercury nominated DJ Swami with Punjabtronix, where sounds of the Punjab meet cutting edge electronica.

BBC journalist Ruchi Tandon will host a panel of guests in India Rocks - a look at the marmite relationship British Asians have with India.

And visitors can see incredible artwork by The Singh Twins, who are currently exhibiting their Mersey Miniatures series at the Lichfield Street gallery.

The event encourages visitors to see the Black Country through an Indian lens and includes a pop up photo studio 'Girls Girls Girls' featuring four talented photographers: Uzma Mohsin (India), Andrea Fernandes (India), Jennifer Pattison (UK), and Jocelyn Allen (UK).

The Alchemy Black Country festival runs from 20 to 28 May at venues across the region and is a partnership with Black Country Touring, Cast Doncaster, Oldham Coliseum Theatre and Southbank Centre. 

As part of the festival BBC DJ Noreen Khan will host a night of comedy with her favorite stand up comics, Sukh Ojla, Sindhu V and Shaista Aziz in Funny Girls at Wolverhampton Art Gallery on Thursday 25 May at 7.45pm. It is for over 18s and tickets are available from Type=links;Linkid=1949;Title=wolvescivic;Target=_blank;.

  • released: Thursday 18 May, 2017