THE first anniversary of special cabaret nights was celebrated in style - with music from around the world.Great Yarmouth's Melting Pot cabaret nights have seen local and national artists coming together to provide entertainment for the area's migrant workers.

THE first anniversary of special cabaret nights was celebrated in style - with music from around the world.

Great Yarmouth's Melting Pot cabaret nights have seen local and national artists coming together to provide entertainment for the area's migrant workers. The anniversary was celebrated at the Portuguese owned Bar Tembo in St Peter's Road, the home of the cabaret nights for the past few months.

The idea has its origins in a series of cultural events organised at St George's Arts Centre in 2007, aimed at Yarmouth's diverse communities. It was a joint venture between SeaChange Arts and the Norfolk Arts Partnership. These proved very popular but audiences said they wanted a more relaxed caf�-style atmosphere where people could mix.

So a year ago more funding was provided to start the Melting Pot as a regular series, initially at Caf� Nova in the town centre.

Last May, the Neighbourhood management board agreed to fund the cabaret nights with the aim of bringing together families, residents and different cultural groups. It was also decided to hold them in different locations and to encourage more local acts to take part.

Since then they've proved highly successful, attracting large audiences and boosting the local economy.

As a spin-off from the cabaret nights, weekly music workshops are also being held in several caf�s to help develop creative skills among a diverse group of people.

Kit Cicconi leads the electric guitar workshops, Dic York covers acoustic guitar and creative writing while Damien Bennet teaches participants how to become a DJ.