This Christmas, the streets of Valletta will be alive with the sound of music and performances as Malta’s first Street Arts Competition takes place.

Musicians and other street performers will be given the chance to perform at clearly marked pitches on Valletta’s streets in the run-up to Christmas and compete for a number of prizes, which include performing at the Valletta New Year’s eve celebrations and a contract to perform at Notte Bianca 2011.

The first Valletta Christmas Street Arts Competition has been made possible by the Malta Council for Culture and Arts and the Valletta Local Council. Anyone over the age of 16 can apply to compete in one of two categories: musicians, and all other performers.

The public will be invited to vote for their favourite street performer in either category by sending an sms with the performer’s name or by logging onto the competition’s website.

Every sms will cost €0.23, part of which will go to L-Istrina. The competitors will also be asked to donate at least 10 per cent of their takings while performing in the competition to L-Istrina.

There are a limited number of places available in the competition. Those interested in applying should visit the competition’s website www.maltastreetarts.org to find out more information and download an application form or email info@maltastreetarts.org to register their interest. The closing date for applications is midday December 13 (public holiday).