United Colours of Derby: A Cultural Showcase

Hello, my name is Katya and my sister Keiry, our dance and dresses represent the folkloric dances of our country, we come from the smallest country in Central America, its name is El Salvador.

This is a spoken word piece which celebrates my Malawian roots. Weaving traditional imagery throughout, I describe some of the culture and most precious traits of a nation that is often overlooked.

My name is Alona Kildishova, I am a refugee from Ukraine. I am representing my homeland and our vibrant culture.  Strong family values and religion, alongside the traditions of Ukrainian embroidery and folk music are integral aspects of the country’s culture. I wear an embroidered dress and wreath which is the modern interpretation of our historical national identity. I will perform a very popular Ukrainian song which is cheerful and incendiary because it shows our Ukrainian soul.

At the United Colours of Derby celebration, Galophop and Jumitis bring the spirit of Latvia to life with vibrant folk costumes and the lively sounds of traditional music. Audiences will be treated to the rhythmic charm of folk instruments like rattles, echoing the joyful heartbeat of Latvian culture

Experience the magic of Angelic Ariana, UK’s top Ariana Grande tribute! With show-stopping vocals, iconic hits like Thank you, next, One last time, and a touch of a Wicked sparkle, your event will be all about Pop-ular! From corporate events to festivals – we’re happy to cater to any booking size. Angelika – the artist behind Angelic Ariana – is a musical theatre performer with years of professional experience.

My name is Callista Sequeira and I have been learning dance since Age 5 under Dr. Rajani Palakkal part of the Drisyabharathi School of Dance. I am representing India’s oldest classical dance form called Bharatanatyam traditionally performed in temples as a form of devotion but it has now evolved into a respected article performed on stages worldwide.

The performance is called Ananda Nathan Idum Padan which is a devotional composition that describe Lord Shiva’s divine attributes, this phrase translates to ‘The feet that perform the blissful dance’ referring to Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance in the golden hall of Chidambaram.

My name is Azra — a UK-born Pakistani from Nottingham, now part of a beautifully mixed Indian family that embraces both traditions. Growing up in the late 1980s, my weekends were filled with vibrant Bollywood films and the golden voices of Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, and Mukesh — music that coloured my childhood. My performance celebrates the golden era of 1980s Bollywood — a time of love, colour, and community — bringing back the nostalgia of timeless dances from Sharabi, Mughal-e-Azam, and Salaami Ishq.

Sam is a local Caribbean Costume designer (Derby born & bred). She designs Queen costumes for London’s Notting Hill Carnival. Her Carnival costumes are up to 13 feet high and up to 3 meters wide, as performing wearable art pieces.