Entertainers give new talents big opportunity

Dance Jamaica Academy’s Latonya Style says a lack of opportunites for up-and-coming talent has inspired a new venture called Premiere Wednesdays. The dancer has joined forces with professionals in the entertainment industry, including recording artiste R-Tadax, who has taken on the role as the executive producer for the event under his brand Talent Promotion and Recognition.

“Every entertainer know of the struggles that the next has to go through, and there is a need for a platform for persons to be able to premiere their talent or business without dealing with the payola type of system,” Style told THE STAR.

The event targets different types of talent, not just entertainers, and is open to craftsmen, beauticians, and small-scale food vendors. Last week’s staging even welcomed a gizzada maker and salesperson.

OPPORTUNITIES

“The idea is to give talented Jamaicans, not only in entertainment, the opportunity to showcase their work in a comfortable setting with a live audience and various professionals acting as judges who provide honest feedback and advice,” she said.

Since the start of 2018, the production team, which has now grown to include Steppaz Media, CD Banging International Sound and Pon Di Spot, has been hosting Premiere Wednesdays free of cost. What started out as a monthly event has evolved into a weekly show held at the Dance JA headquarters on Barbican Road, St Andrew.

“The main aim is to help each person in their overall development, which will in turn add to the growth of the various industries and Brand Jamaica,” she said.

Both R-Tadax and Latonya Style have recognised the risk of hosting the event at no cost to the talents and guests, but the two entertainers are hoping that other industry professionals will catch on and provide support. Established artistes have acted as judges and performers, and the entertainment package also includes a segment where a producer can debut a new rhythm while the artistes can do freestyle performances.