Batala Portsmouth Samba Reggae band are available for community carnivals, processions, music festivals, sporting events, weddings, corporate events and launches. With our loud and infectious music and bright costumes, we are bound to draw a crowd.

Call or email to find out more. We have started adding events for 2010 to our calendar now.

Founded in 2001 by Paulo Garcia, a visiting Brasilian student, this is the bands ninth year of playing gigs all over the south of England. Highlights include The Orixa Project, Notting Hill Carnival, The Festival of the Sea, and Pompey Parades for winning promotion and the FA Cup.

Batala play Bahian style Samba-Reggae which, unlike the ubiquitous Rio style groups, has no percussion instruments and uses only drums.

The band are part of Grupo Batala, a global drumming family that now has 18 bands in 12 countries and has over 700 members worldwide. The drums, costumes, and equipment for all of the bands are made in Salvador de Bahia under a fair trade agreement.

Batala Portsmouth Samba Reggae band are looking for new people to join and learn to drum with us. No experience needed, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Full training will be provided.

We play at many local events, and there are also opportunities to travel to Carnivals around the world. Rehearsals are every Thursday evening from 6:45 to 9:30 at Charter Academy (St. Luke's School), Hyde Park Road, Southsea. Drums and gig costumes are provided. Email or call to find out more.