WOMEN ONLY: GET READY FOR VAISAKHI NIGHT IN MANUKAU

Women in Auckland are in for a treat as an upcoming women-only event promises a memorable night of great music, fun and empowerment.

The ‘WCT Vaisakhi Mela’ is being organised by Woman Care Trust (WCT), a community group for women of Indian and South Asian ethnicities. It was established in 2014 to ensure the well-being of socially-isolated senior citizens and new migrants of the Indian Punjabi community.

The event is set to take place at Due Drop Events Centre (previously Vodafone Event Centre) in Manukau on April 14, 2023, and organisers say they are anticipating a turnout of about 2,500 guests dressed in their ethnic best.

The celebration aims to create a safe and inclusive space for women to connect and enjoy music. Abha Khanna, Community Development Officer at WCT, says, "We want women to feel empowered and celebrated at this event. We want to create a space where women can let their hair down and have a great time.”

She adds, “We endeavour to create a platform for the locals to showcase their dance and entertaining talents in an all-women crowd and give a night of absolute entertainment, dance, and music. A night free of any worries and just entertainment. Since it’s a women-only event, it gives ladies the freedom to wear their ethnic dresses and dance freely without being conscious of the presence of men around.” 

According to Khanna, the event will help the new generation of Kiwi-Indians keep in touch with their culture, heritage, music and history. "It promotes cultural diversity, inclusiveness and cohesiveness between different cultures. Through this event, we encourage girls in our and other communities to unite under one roof as one family and show their cultural diversity through dance and music,” she says.

The event will feature multicultural performances across genres of music. The performances will be from women of all age groups to children as young as six years old and senior citizens, who have been practising their gig for months.

“We're excited about this event," said one of the performers, adding, "It's such a great opportunity for women to come together and celebrate with each other."

The event will also have a live DJ and ‘dhol’ apart from a 360-degree photo booth. "I can't wait for this event," says Amarpreet Kaur. "It's so important to have events like this that celebrate women and their talents," she adds.

The organisers are thrilled with the event's response and look forward to creating an unforgettable experience for all attendees. Tickets are priced at $10 and available at WCT (2, Sutton Crescent Papatoetoe), Indo Spice Manurewa and Papatoetoe, Big Mart Papatoetoe, DH Papatoetoe, Apna Spice Ormiston, and Sajjan Hair & Beauty Flat Bush. 

Khanna says, "WCT is bringing back the event after a gap of 2 years to continue spreading the diversity and heritage of different cultures sharing the same culture. Tickets are selling fast. Guests can also call us to book their tickets online.”

What: WCT Vaisakhi Mela

When: April 14, 2023, 6pm onwards

Where: Due Drop Events Centre, 770 Great South Road, Wiri, Manukau 2104

Tickets: $10

Contact: Soni Dheil (0212697050)/Abha Khanna (0223404423)