Mardi Gras - the 2008 Woodstock Mela

The theme of this year's Mela was "Mardi Gras". (it wasn't held on a Tuesday, but there was plenty of very rich food around, so we were halfway there!) It was again an afternoon/evening Mela, and the carnival atmosphere was certainly there as crowds filled the Quad and the path from the gate sampling food from Tibet, Korea and many parts of India, as well as the old favourite - hot dogs. Many NGOs were there to raise money by selling everything from organic produce to stuffed toys, shawls and baked goods. The Moravian Institute's range of quilts, rugs and cushions was popular, as ever, and the Yellow Rose Café, on the balcony above the Quad, did great business selling cakes made by staff (or possibly their ayahs!).

Entertainment was provided by the Elementary School dancers and the school jazz band. There was also a spectacular display of fire dancing by senior Elisa Tamminen, and mimes and dances by Korean, Tibetan and Bhutanese students. The evening came to a roaring finale with an hour and a quarter of loud, high-energy rock music from the staff band, Pete Wildman, Darab Nagarwalla and Andrew Das, supplemented by visiting alumnus Andy Alter '78 on keyboards, and featuring last-minute guest appearances by two American volunteers from the Moravian Institute on sax and piano. I think it would be true to say that a good time was had by all.

The money raised from the Mela goes to the Student Scholarship fund, and this will be supplemented this year by the sale on eBay of two very valuable donated items - a cricket bat signed by the entire Indian cricket team, and a spectacular collection of 100 Hindi DVDs featuring a host of classic films.