Batala Portsmouth
 
 
Welcome

Hampshire based Batala Portsmouth are a local samba band playing authentic Afro Brazilian Samba Reggae music. We entertain at many local carnivals, music festivals, processions, sporting events, weddings, corporate events, and launches. You can hear the band playing on the Video page. If you are interested in joining the band, we rehearse every Thursday evening from 6:45 to 9:30 at Charter Academy in Hyde Park Road, Southsea. Please email or call to find out more about booking the band for your event or to find out more about joining and learning to drum with us.

We have just added nine new players to the band after a successful beginners course at the end of 2011. We are hoping to run a beginners course again in November. If you want to get details nearer to the time then send your details to join the waiting list.
Fratton Park
Fratton Park

One of the highlights for the band in 2011 was playing on the pitch at Portsmouth Football Club for the Pompey vs. Norwich match. It was a great performance and the crowd really got involved too. We returned to the club to play for the local derby match in December 2011 and even made it onto the Match of the Day coverage.

Notting Hill Carnival 2011

In 2011 Batala played their 10th Notting Hill Carnival. It was our best yet with over 230 drummers coming from our sister bands all over the world to play and process for over 5 hours! We had our picture on Channel 4 News, ITN, and The Times. This picture featured on the BBC website as well as newspapers from Athens to Boston.

Notting Hill Carnival on the BBC
Summer 2011 Gigs

Our Summer run of performances are well under way. We are appearing at lots of carnivals and events. Check out the Gigs page for dates.

We recently played at Bournemouth University Summer ball and this short video captures some of the excitement of the evening.
New Year Rehearsals
2011 kicked off with a big rehearsal with a great turnout for January. We are hoping to run some beginners sessions on Saturday mornings in October, November, and December to get people off the waiting list and drumming!
Rehearsal
RNLI Santa Run
 
December 2010 saw the band drumming in Southsea for the Santa Run and helping out with the warm up. Check out the band and the runners in full santa costumes.
Great South Run

Batala Portsmouth spent the last weekend in October drumming at the BUPA Great South Run. We were also joined by players from the new Batala London band.

BUPA Great South Run
Send us your pictures and video clips!

Have you seen us out and about? We see lots of people taking pictures and video of the band. Send us your pics, clips, and comments, and we will put the best on our website! enquiries@batalaportsmouth.com

This video clip of the band was taken in Guildford and posted on YouTube.
Wedding and Waterlooville

Batala Portsmouth had a busy gigging month in June 2010 and we were out enjoying the sunshine. On June 12th we managed to fit two gigs in one day. First processing a new bride and groom to their reception venue, and then playing at Waterlooville Music Festival.

If you are planning a wedding and want to arrive with an impact then give us a call on 07734 114550.
Waterlooville Music Festival
Fareham Town Centre
Batala Busks

Batala Portsmouth were out and about during May 2010, busking in the sun and rain in Guildford and Fareham.

If you saw us and want to say Hi then click here - enquiries@batalaportsmouth.com.
Guildford Town Centre
Celebrity Sun Walk
Southampton Celebrity SunWalk

Batala played another great charity gig on Saturday 24th April, this time for walkers raising money for Cancer Relief. All the people wore decorated bras, so we just had to join in too.

Well done to all those who sewed sequins, embroidered, and decorated.
Southampton Sport Relief Mile

Batala Portsmouth brought out the sunshine on Sunday 21st March when we played our first gig of 2010.

Well done to all the runners and to everyone supporting this great charity event.
Sport Relief
Batala Portsmouth Love Albert Road!

September 2009 saw Batala play at the amazing Love Albert Road street party in Southsea. Check out the video clips of us playing in the sunshine amidst the sea of people!

Let us know about any other local events you want to see us at - enquiries@batalaportsmouth.com.
Beginners Course

Following press coverage in The News in September 2009 and after playing at Love Albert Road Day, we had lots of interest in joining the band. We ran introductory sessions in November and Decmber 2009 to introduce new players into the band. Well done to Carla, Emily, Jemma, Lee, and Lynda who all finished the course and are now gigging with the band.

Please email enquiries@batalaportsmouth.com or call Chris on 07734 114550 to sign up or find out more.
Devizes Carnival
BUPA Great South Run
Great South Run
Batala Portsmouth played at the Great South Run on 24th and 25th October 2009. On Saturday we played for the kids races near the Blue Reef Aquarium and on Sunday we drummed on Pier Road at the one and five mile marks.