2011 International Drum Festival in Havana

The 2011 International Drum Festival will run in Havana from March 8 to 13 at the Amadeo Roldán Theatre.

The Festival will be dedicated to drummer Guillermo Barreto and sponsored by the Cuban Music Institute and the Ignacio Piñeiro Center.

People interested can participate in five instruments: drums, pailas, conga drums, bongos and bata drums. Festival and competition organizers are also calling on self-educated drummers to compete in the different categories along with professionals.

Event’s President, drummer, composer and director of the band Klimax, Giraldo Piloto, says that the jury will be made up of prestigious national and international musicians. The winners will be given instruments in each specialty and free enrolment in the on-line Drummer School. A special award will be given to the best performer in the female category, and in the children’s category.

Festival activities will take place in the Palacio de la Rumba, the Occidental Miramar Hotel, and the Mella and Astral Theaters.