For the past decade, the GemArts Masala Festival has become a much-loved fixture in the North East’s cultural calendar, bringing together artists, audiences and communities through a vibrant celebration of South Asian arts and culture. Returning from Monday 13th to Sunday 19th July, this year’s festival marks its tenth anniversary with a packed programme of music, dance, film, exhibitions, workshops and live performance across Newcastle, Gateshead and the wider region.
Since launching in 2016, Masala Festival has earned a reputation for presenting traditional and contemporary art forms side by side in an accessible and engaging way. Rather than treating culture as something distant or exclusive, the festival welcomes audiences of all backgrounds to experience the richness and diversity of South Asian creativity.
The anniversary edition opens with Bulleh Shah: Seeker of Light, a new dance production by acclaimed Kathak artist Gaurav Bhatti. Inspired by the life, poetry and philosophy of the celebrated Punjabi Sufi writer Bulleh Shah, the performance combines movement, live music and storytelling to explore themes of spirituality, identity and human connection.
Music remains at the heart of this year’s programme. One of the week’s standout events will see sitar virtuoso Lakshay Mohan and sarod player Aayush Mohan perform alongside internationally renowned tabla maestro Sanju Sahai and percussionist Jasdeep Singh at The Glasshouse. Bringing together four exceptional artists from across the Indian classical tradition, the concert promises a captivating blend of technical mastery and improvisational energy.
Elsewhere, head to The Cluny on Tuesday 14th July for Free Flow Classikal, a moving exploration of South Asian classical music through free improvisation. The festival is also branching into new territory with its first-ever club night. Taking place at Zerox on Saturday 18th July, Bijlee / बिजली / Electric will reimagine Bollywood, Ghazal and Qawwali classics through contemporary club edits incorporating old school hardcore, 90s jungle, footwork, garage, bassline, dubstep, baile funk and more.
Alongside the headline performances, audiences can enjoy exhibitions, spoken-word events, family activities and interactive workshops. Highlights include Playback / Rewind: South Asian Sound & Memory, an exhibition exploring the relationship between music, memory and identity through Bollywood vinyl culture, personal archives and shared experiences.
Built on openness, participation and cultural exchange, Masala Festival continues to create opportunities for learning, conversation and connection. Ten years on, it remains one of the North East’s most distinctive celebrations of culture and community.
For further information, head to gemarts.org.
