People at the ‘Summer Bonanza’ in Swindon.
LONDON
Swindon was abuzz with music, dance, cuisine and the vibrant Goan spirit and traditions, with three different events celebrated in the town.
The ‘Summer Bonanza’ was organised on July 26, the ‘Summer Serenade’ was hosted on August 2 and the ‘Summer Fiesta 2025’ was conducted on August 17.
These three events connected Goans and friends from near and far, as the community came together to celebrate Goan identity and culture.
Organised by the Goyache Events, the ‘Summer Bonanza’ witnessed a packed hall, an electrifying vibe, and the sounds of the trending band ‘7 Notes’ with their hit song “Dukota” getting everyone on the dance floor.
The song’s heartfelt hospital scene, performed live, struck an emotional chord.
Lucky children in the crowd walked away with limited-edition ‘Dukota’ T-shirts signed by the band, an unforgettable moment for them.
Other highlights included Princeton Colaco touching hearts with poetic words of love, DJ Frankey, DJ Kessh, DJ Velfern, and Leroy Percussion – keeping bodies moving and grooving and rap performances by Lilferns & Eric Goan, with infectious beats and crowd-swaying energy.
Organised by Phoenix Events, the excitement at the ‘Summer Serenade’ was palpable as crowds filled the venue.
They witnessed some of the most popular bands in action, consisting of ‘Clayjars’, who delivered a high-energy, melodious performance that set the stage on fire; ‘Injunktion’, who wowed the audience with their engaging crowd interaction, stellar vocals, and dance moves; ‘Royals’, Swindon’s own, delivering an excellent musical set; and Silver Notes (Duo Band), who ignited the spark that got everyone swaying.
The music didn’t stop as DJ Xavier and DJ Queency kept the dance floor alive well into the night.
The event featured a Paint Smile Photo Booth to capture moments of joy, ‘Born in Goa’ T-shirts which were worn with pride, and Emcees MC Anthony and MC Bunty who kept the energy high and the crowd engaged throughout the event.
The Summer Fiesta 2025 Fundraising Event was organised by V-GOANIZZ at the St Mary's Catholic Primary School Grounds, marking a significant fundraising event for the school.
People travelled from various locations, including Bridgwater, Southampton, Wembley, Hounslow, Harrow, Hayes, Reading, St. Albans, London, and even France to attend the ‘Summer Fiesta’, underscoring the importance of the event in raising funds for the primary school.
The event began with a prayer led by a young girl, Shenaida Fernandes, followed by a performance of the hymn “Our Father” by Don Meon, sung by Santan Gonsalves, accompanied by the St Mary's Catholic Church Children's Choir.
The entertainment kicked off with the talented band ‘Clayjars’, followed by a series of performances by the children: Elenora Fernandes (11) showcased her talent with a solo rendition of “Bebdo”; Swinton Fernandes (15) and his sister Elenora performed “Boom Bang Bang”; a group dance titled “Shafire” was presented by the choir children; Valentino (14) sang the song “Can't Blame a Girl for Trying”.
There was also solo singing by Raisa Pereira, Imenda Afonso (from France), Seby De Vasco and Eric Goan, besides duet singing by Fredrick & Chelsea Fernandes.
Finally, the children's band, comprising Aron Fernandes (14), Addison Fernandes (9), and Nyla Britto (12) performed a 45-minute set.
After the rising stars, another band from Swindon ‘Shades’ also performed at the event.
The chief guest at the event was Clayton Barreto, Social Secretary to the High Commissioner at the Indian High Commission in the UK, while the Guest of Honour was Swindon Mayor Fay Howard and guest of honour was PCC Philip Wilkinson.
In his address, Barreto praised V-GOANIZZ for working tirelessly to preserve and promote Goan identity in the UK.
“From carol singing at Christmas, to sports tournaments, to church activities, to teaching our children the meaning behind our festivals — every single initiative comes from passion and love for our culture. And they do it all free of charge,” said Barreto.
“That means it runs only on the dedication, time, and effort of volunteers who believe in keeping the Goan flame alive for our children. This is not just entertainment, this is community service. This is faith in action.”
Barreto stated that Goans moved to the UK for better opportunities, and praised the country for providing safety, good education, and a strong sense of community service.
“At the same time, we brought with us something precious — our identity. Our rich Goan traditions, our language, and our heritage must not only be remembered, but actively lived and passed down to our future generations.”
In his message to the Goans, Barreto said: Each of you is an ambassador of Goa. How you speak, how you act and how you carry yourself. That’s how the world sees us. Every smile, every act of kindness, every bit of hospitality shows the world the beauty of Goa’s spirit. Let’s carry that identity with pride, and with purpose.”
The Summer Fiesta featured an array of food stalls offering shawarma, Goan delicacies, South Indian cuisine, and delectable cakes. Additional activities included face painting, a bouncy castle, and a bar area, providing fun for all ages.
V-GOANIZZ President Natasha Vas said ‘The Summer Fiesta 2025’ was a resounding success, bringing the community together in celebration and support of a noble cause.
“All funds raised will directly benefit St Mary's Catholic Primary School, ensuring that our children's education and cultural heritage continue to thrive. V-GOANIZZ looks forward to more events that reinforce our commitment to the community and the younger generation.”
“Established in 2018, V-GOANIZZ has a proud history of organising events focused on children, including the Christmas Carol Singing, sports tournaments in August, and Father's Day celebrations in June—all with free entry. Our mission is to instil cultural values in the younger generation and provide constructive engagement away from antisocial activities, reinforcing our roots in the community,” said Natasha.
“The newly-formed V-GOANIZZ youth group consists of Nyla Britto, Anely, Frederick, Chelsea, Aiden, Swinton, Elenora, and Destiny Fernandes. They were given various responsibilities during the event to nurture their skills for future initiatives.”
