Description
Live Drum Solo Competition 2027: Professional category
at our Friday evening Gala Show 19/2/2027 6.30 – 10.30pm
Kensington and Aldridge Academy, W10 6EX
This was so popular last year we are making it even better.
Tabla Solos with Joelle Barker
Competitors perform a 2 minute live tabla solo with our amazing tabla player: Joelle Barker. This is a unique opportunity to experience the joy and excitement of creating a live tabla solo with a great percussionist.
- The competition will take place as part of the Fantasia International Bellydance Showcase on the Friday night.
- To enter this competition you must book at least 2 workshops at the Fantasia Festival & a Friday night Gala show ticket.
- The competition itself costs £35 to enter. Spaces are limited.
For your tabla solo you can decide:
Start on or off stage
What rhythm you would like to start with – you will have a short conversation with Joelle to agree a few basic details.
After this, the solo will be a conversation between you and Joelle as you both improvise to create something unique and bring your own brand of magic to the stage.
As the 2 minutes draw to a close, Joelle will lead into a standard ending which we will explain on the day.
We have a monitor on stage timing each person.
We have had a lot of interest and decided it is only fair to the participants to split the competition into two categories – You can choose the category you want to be in.
Amateur Category: this is your category if you haven’t danced much to live music but really want to challenge yourself and work on your development as a dancer. From 7.30pm
Experienced / Professional Category: for the competition girlies and semi-professional dancers. This is your time to shine and show our panel of judges your personality and skills! From 9pm
How will you be judged?
Our panel of judges will be looking at:
Technique – variety / definition / quality
Musicality – making effective use of the rhythms / phrasing
Presentation – professional appearance / costuming
The ‘Wow’ factor – bringing something extra special to your solo.
Your Judges:
Alex Delora, Levana + others TBC
Your prize? Also TBC
Join the ‘Creative tabla solo’ workshop with Joelle and Kay on Friday afternoon. This gives you the opportunity to work with Joelle in advance of the competition. Kay and Joelle will look at ways to create a fabulous drum solo – and how to communicate with your drummer.
Our venue has changing rooms for use of participants.
