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