Weather man Des among Black Country Multicultural Day acts
Singing weather man Des Coleman will be among the performers at this year's Black Country Multicultural Day celebrations.
The event is being held in Market Place, Dudley, on July 16, to show how diverse the population has become in recent decades with a significant rise of different ethnic groups who have moved into the borough.
Performers include tribute act The Rat Pack featuring Mr Coleman of ITV Central News, dance workshops, stilt walkers, Indian, Caribbean and Polish food, information stalls, Top Church Choir, Romanian dancers, Creheart Community Group, Poppies Birmingham, Jessons School Choir, Darcelle Wright Harvey and Bhangra Smashup.
Guests will include include Mayor of Dudley Sue Greenaway, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and other civic dignitaries.
The programme includes a Bhangra dance workshop in Churchill Shopping Centre from 12.30pm-3.30pm where the public can learn some Bhangra moves. Dudley's Hindu Cultural Association will also perform classic Indian dance, while Cradley Heath's Back 2 Basics will provide face painting.
The show was launched as part of Black Country Day. Dudley resident Frankie Prazer set up the 2021 event after spotting that there was a lack of events celebrating diversity in the town.
"This event will kindle civic pride and confidence and has the potential to improve the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of borough residents. I would like to demonstrate how the Black Country's vibrant colourful past - present and future and with the different backgrounds that have settled over the years have made the area as vibrant as it is today," Mr Prazer said.
Event sponsors including the GMB Union, Unison, New Path of Life, The National Lottery and Arts Council England.
Black Country Multicultural Day will run from 11am-4.30pm on July 16.
