Vaisakhi 2023

Co-hosted by Tommy Sandhu and Sukh Ojla and featuring performances from:

• TablaJedi  - Dal Singh known as The ‘TablaJedi’ is world renowned as one of the most respected Tabla players in the UK and following rigorous training in Indian Classical Music, he has become a sought after Tabla player in the world of popular music. He has toured globally with artists such as Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller, Ian Brown, Richard Ashcroft, Marillion & Ocean Colour Scene to name a few and features in an innovative Asian Blues band with ex Stone Roses guitarist, Aziz Ibrahim. He has recently released a new EP single ‘Feel Lifted’ with his Band, KarmaBoy.
• Dhol Academy - Dhol Academy is one of the longest-running Dhol establishments in the UK and has played a significant role in providing musical outlets for the South Asian community in East London. Dhol Academy emerged as an integral part of the community, providing an open, safe, and friendly environment for emerging musical talent. Dhol Academy's core belief is that everyone should have an equal opportunity to perform and showcase what makes them unique. Our main emphasis now focuses on training students in understanding classical South Asian music and the art forms of Folk and Sufi rhythmic Dhol patterns.
• Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara - perform the Sikh martial art of Gatka, an intense artform that makes for an amazing spectacle.
• Manika Kaur - The leading contemporary performer of Sikh ‘Kirtan’ music. Manika Kaur continues to be the fastest selling and most popular contemporary Sikh solo artist in the world. As the very first person to place Kirtan in the European World Music Charts and views of her videos running in to the many millions, Manika’s music has not only received overwhelming praise from the global Sikh community, but has also transcended and touched the souls of music lovers from all walks of life throughout the world.
• Amrit Kaur - Described as the place "where Punjabi folk meets Aretha soul" by OZY magazine, Amrit Kaur is a Sarangi player and singer-songwriter born and bred in Tottenham. She was named a BBC Asian Network Future Sounds 2020 Artist as well as a BBC Music Introducing artist. Praised for her live ability by legendary producer Rick Rubin, her notable performances include Glastonbury Festival and the UN General Assembly with Skip Marley for World Children's Day. She recently featured in the new version of Bob Marley's iconic song One Love, alongside the Marley family and musicians from around the world for UNICEF.

• 12pm
  Welcome and introduction
• 12:05pm
  Atam Academy
• 12:30pm
  TablaJedi
• 1:25pm
  Kaur Film - Trailer and discussion
• 1:50pm
  Dhol Academy
• 2:05pm
  Gatka (Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara) (5 min +25 Min)
• 2:35pm
  Manika Kaur
• 3:30pm
  Langar demo discussion
• 3:40pm
  Pioneer School
• 4:05pm
  Dhol Academy
• 4:20pm
  Gatka (Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara) (5 min +25 Min)
• 4:50pm
  Amrit Kaur
• 6pm
  Close

• Sporting Activities by the Sikh Games
• Turban Tying by Chardikala Turban Academy 
• Children's Activities by Sikh Colouring
• 'What is Vaisakhi?' Talks Marquee by Basics of Sikhi 
• Sikh Art Marquee displaying and selling work by
  • LS Designs 
  • Vinta Sagoo Art
  • MahayDraws
  • Vik Kainth
  • Anokhi k Panesar-Jheeta
  • Gaby Gohlar
  • ASMCollection
  • Ishpal Kaur
  • Pav Bharaj
  • Hue and Bristle by Ginny Singh
  • Mahala9
  • Kirpa Bhachu
  • Gurveer Singh Bhachu
  • artofchaggar
• Cooking demonstrations

• 12pm
  Parshaaad Demonstration/Prayer, Chef Manpreet Singh
• 12:20pm
  Talk/Parchaar, SikhPA
• 12:40pm
  Healthy Eating Talk, The Sikh Games - Chef Arbinder & Coach Juggy
• 1pm
  Langar Demonstration, Chef Manpreet Singh
• 1:20pm
  Talk/Parchaar, Chef Manpreet Singh
• 1:40pm
  Healthy Eating Talk, The Sikh Games - Chef Arbinder & Coach Juggy
• 2pm
  Langar Demonstration, Chef Manpreet Singh
• 2:20pm
  Talk/Parchaar, SikhPA
• 2:40pm
  Healthy Eating Talk, The Sikh Games - Chef Arbinder & Coach Juggy
• 3pm
  Langar Demonstration, Chef Manpreet Singh
• 3:20pm
  Break
• 3:30pm
  Talk/Parchaar on Main Stage, SikhPA
• 3:40pm
  Healthy Eating Talk, The Sikh Games - Chef Arbinder & Coach Juggy
• 4pm
  Langar Demonstration, Chef Manpreet Singh
• 4:20pm
  Talk/Parchaar, SikhPA
• 4:40pm
  Healthy Eating Talk, The Sikh Games - Chef Arbinder & Coach Juggy
• 5pm
  Langar Demonstration, Chef Manpreet Singh
• 5:20pm
  Talk/Parchaar, SikhPA
• 5:40pm
  Healthy Eating Talk, The Sikh Games - Chef Arbinder & Coach Juggy
• 6pm
  Close

• Guru Ram Das Project 
• Jaskomal Foundation
• Pioneer Secondary Academy 
• NHS Blood and Transplant 
• Alcohol Free Sikhs
• The 1947 Partition Archive
• Binti International
• Khalsa Jartha
• Defence Sikh Network
• Urban Akali

Accessible facilities at Trafalgar Square

• Wheelchair accessible public toilets are available on the lower terrace of Trafalgar Square. This is on the west side of the square to the left of the central staircase. These will be open and free of charge during the event.
• Trafalgar Square’s cafe is wheelchair accessible and has a low-level counter and induction loop. Free drinking water is available at the east side water drinking fountain.

Additional accessible facilities for Eid in the Square

• All staff and stewards will be briefed on disability awareness.
• Event stewards will be available to assist wheelchair users travelling between the upper (north terrace) and the lower terrace levels of Trafalgar Square.
• The accessible viewing area will be at the top of the central staircase. Some seating will be available for companions the viewing area, and for those less able to stand. An area with hearing loop will be available.
• A Mobiloo wheelchair accessible portable toilet will be provided on the north west corner of Trafalgar Square (on the upper terrace). The mobile toilet has a hoist and changing table. Mobiloo users needing to use the hoist must bring their own sling with them. This is for your own safety and convenience – and to prevent any cross-contamination between different users. Further details can be found on the Mobiloo website.
• BSL Interpreters will be present on the main stage. A picture in picture will also be displayed in the right hand corner of the 25ft screen which is positioned on the left side of the main stage.

Accessible transport

• You can plan your journey with TfL’s Journey Planner.

Bus

• Routes 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 53, 77A, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176 and 453.
• All these routes lead to Trafalgar Square. However, 9 and 15 are heritage buses and do not have a low-floor.
• Visit the TfL website for more information on buses.

Tube

• The nearest Underground station with step-free access from platform to street level is Westminster. This is served by the Jubilee, District and Circle lines. Outside Westminster station buses 12, 24, 88 or 453 have low-floor buses which call at a stop within 150m of Trafalgar Square.
• Charing Cross Underground station is served by the Northern and Bakerloo lines. It is the closest Tube station. However, it does not have step-free access.
• Visit the TfL website for accessible Tube maps.

National Rail

• The nearest railway station is Charing Cross. It is 325 metres away, approximately 3 minutes’ walk. Charing Cross rail station offers step-free access and a step-free route to Trafalgar Square.

Dial-a-ride

• Find out about registering and pre-booking Dial-a-ride services.

Accessible parking

The nearest Blue Badge parking spaces to Trafalgar Square are:

• St Martin’s Street – five spaces - 321 metres from Trafalgar Square
• Outside Canada House – one space - 33 metres from Trafalgar Square
• Suffolk Street – one space - 644 metres from Trafalgar Square
• Spring Gardens – one space - 321 metres from Trafalgar Square

To find other blue badge parking bays nearby, please search the City of Westminster’s website using the postcode WC2N 5DN.

To see where the bays are, click the ‘View results on a map’ button on the search results page.