Spotlight on Success: How Jalsa is Empowering Emerging Artists in Abu Dhabi

On a well-lit stage at Manarat Al Saadiyat, a single white plastic chair sits beneath the lights. It may look unremarkable, especially if you grew up in the Middle East. But for the organisers of Jalsa, it is a symbol of what they are trying to build: a place where anyone can take a seat, take the microphone, and be seen. Jalsa, which is Arabic for gathering or a sitting, is a series of events bringing Abu Dhabi's creative community together and giving local talent a platform to perform.

The idea was born during a car ride between three friends: Hamad Al Shamsi, Abdullah Al Shamsi and Preston Dcosta, who later established Harmony Abu Dhabi, the driving force behind Jalsa. These three founders hail from diverse backgrounds within the creative industries. Hamad, an NYUAD alumnus, is passionate about storytelling and serves as a master of ceremonies. Preston is a multi-talented instrumentalist and sound engineer playing the piano and drums, while Abdullah is a vocalist who performs under the moniker NotSoHuman, having launched his singing career through social media song covers and his 2023 debut single, Love it Up.

“We want people to be able to shine, to find a platform in Abu Dhabi,” Hamad shared with The National. “There is so much Abu Dhabi has to offer, and we're just a drop in the ocean.” Since its summer launch, Jalsa has successfully hosted four editions over four months, attracting more than 2,000 attendees, showcasing upwards of 100 performers on stage, and relying on a dedicated production team of over 25 volunteers.

Recently at Manarat Al Saadiyat, the event was creatively divided into four distinct chapters inspired by the UAE's heritage: The Majlis, The Desert, The Sea and The Stars. The opening chapter captured the welcoming nature of the traditional Emirati majlis, followed by the desert chapter highlighting resilience, the sea chapter celebrating global connections, and the final chapter utilizing stars as symbols of dreams and aspirations. Attendees like Aysha praised the initiative for successfully uniting the community and engaging youth.

Filling a vital gap for grassroots creative communities in Abu Dhabi, the founders noted that aspiring performers previously had to travel to Dubai for open mic opportunities. Jalsa addresses this by offering an inclusive, first-come, first-served stage welcoming diverse participants of all ages and nationalities, from a three-year-old performer to international artists. Lavalina, a singer and bassist, emphasized that Jalsa provides crucial stepping stones for artists aiming to turn their passions into careers rather than mere hobbies.

Currently operating as a free-entry, out-of-pocket initiative sustained primarily through a small baqala selling branded merchandise and local snacks, the team hopes to secure future funding. Their goal is to expand the community and support broader creative talents while ensuring that the open mic remains permanently free for artists who pour immense effort into their craft.