Jalsa has drawn more than 2,000 attendees to four open-mic events in Abu Dhabi, with more than 100 performers taking the stage since the series launched this summer. At Manarat Al Saadiyat, the events have given local creatives a platform in a city where, organisers say, performers once travelled to Dubai to find an open mic.
A Stage for Local Artists
Harmony Abu Dhabi organises Jalsa. The company was founded by Hamad Al Shamsi, Abdullah Al Shamsi and Preston Dcosta. The idea began during a car ride between the three friends. Hamad, an NYUAD alumnus, works as a master of ceremonies and loves storytelling. Preston is a pianist, drummer and sound engineer. Abdullah sings as NotSoHuman; he started by posting song covers on social media and released his debut single, “Love it Up,” in 2023.
The series’ name means “gathering or a sitting” in Arabic. A white plastic chair onstage represents the organisers’ invitation for anyone to take a seat, use the microphone and be seen. The events are free, and performers get places on a first-come, first-served basis, Abdullah said.
“There is so much Abu Dhabi has to offer, and we're just a drop in the ocean,” Hamad told The National. He said the team wanted people to have a place in Abu Dhabi where they could shine. More than 25 volunteers have helped produce the events.
Four Chapters, One Community
The four editions came as “chapters” inspired by parts of the UAE’s story: The Majlis, The Desert, The Sea and The Stars. The first chapter drew on the welcoming spirit of the traditional Emirati majlis. The second explored the resilience needed to survive in the harshest times, while the third focused on the sea and the UAE’s connections with the wider world.
The final chapter took place last week. It used stars that once guided journeys across desert and sea as symbols of dreams and aspirations.
“I love seeing the community coming together. I love the initiative of the young coming in,” attendee Aysha said. Performers at Jalsa have come from Ghana, the UAE, South Africa, Korea and Russia. “We have people performing for the very first time. We have a performer who is three years old,” Hamad said.
Abu Dhabi had fewer grassroots communities for local creatives, despite its fast-growing arts and culture scene, Preston said. “If we wanted to perform in an open mic, we had to go from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. There was nothing home-grown in Abu Dhabi. So we decided to start something on our own,” he said.
Keeping Entry Free
Jalsa remains an out-of-pocket initiative. A small baqala selling branded merchandise and local snacks brings in its main revenue, and the team hopes to secure funding to grow the community and support talent across creative fields beyond music.
“We are against the idea of artists having to pay. We will never make the open mic a paid event because the artists have spent so much time, so much effort refining their art form,” Preston said. Singer and bassist Lavalina said the platform could be a stepping stone for artists pursuing a career, rather than treating their work only as a vocation or hobby.