Roots to Rise by Nandita Shankardass
Image by John Evans
Appetite & New Vic Theatre Present
Sensasian is our festival of South Asian arts and culture. For 2026-27, the festival is expanding across four venues over eight months, bringing an even richer programme of events and experiences.
Explore film, music, dance, storytelling and more, celebrating the richness and diversity of South Asian arts and culture.
The Sensasian programme is shaped by our local community decision makers. Find out more on the Sensasian Project Page.
Sensasian 2026-27 is organised by Appetite in partnership with the New Vic Theatre, Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and Arts Keele.
Inner Vision Quintet & Baluji Shrivastav OBE
Keele Chapel
7.30pm, Wednesday 18 November 2026
Tickets: £16 on the door or bookable in advance (link to come).
Students and 16 & under go FREE.
Experience world-class musicians Inner Vision Quintet, led by virtuoso sitar player Baluji Shrivastav OBE. The quintet blends Indian classical traditions with Middle Eastern, Western classical, jazz, and folk influences.
The group is unique in its musical range and its story: most of the ensemble are visually impaired musicians, who challenge perceptions and celebrate the transformative power of music.
Presented as part of the ArtsKeele Keele Concerts programme in collaboration with Sensasian (an Appetite programme).
Aunusthan by Pagrav Dance Company
New Vic Theatre
7.30pm, Thursday 11 February 2027
Tickets: £20. Book to see Aunusthan on the New Vic website.
Step into a world of abstracted relationships, complex patterns, rigorous choreography, virtuosic performance and riotous rhythms with Aunusthan – a vibrant celebration of neo-classical Indian dance and music.
Featuring a cast of talented British Asian dance artists, Aunusthan takes audiences on a journey through infectious rhythm and dance, showcasing the bright future of kathak in the UK and creating an unforgettable experience for all.
Image by Simon Richardson
previous events
Joyland Film Screening
Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
7pm | Friday 3 July
Donate what you feel.
The Ranas - a happily patriarchal joint family - yearn for the birth of a baby boy to continue the family line. However, when their youngest son secretly joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for an ambitious trans starlet, their impossible love story slowly illuminates the entire Rana family's desire for sexual rebellion.
The film is rated 15. No need to book in advance, just turn up and donate what you feel at the end.
The film will run 7pm – 9.15pm, you are welcome to arrive from 6pm to enjoy the Bar. Please note that access to the museum will be via the café entrance by the Spitfire Gallery.
See full details on the Joyland event page.
Sensasian Zone at The Big Feast 2026
Smithfield, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre (Hanley)
11am-5pm | Saturday 29 August | FREE
Drop-in and stay for as long as you like at this relaxed day.
Join us as Sensasian takes over the Smithfield area of the city centre (near Hanley Library) as part of The Big Feast 2026 for a FREE day celebrating and exploring South Asian culture.
Visit the Sensasian Zone at The Big Feast page to find full details of dance performances such as The Elephant & The Drummer (seen here), music, storytelling, hands-on activities, food and more!