THE Noranda Bauxite Sports Club in Discovery Bay, St Ann is now the hottest entertainment spot for hundreds of residents in that community.

The sports club has rolled out a concert package that is keeping the audience coming back for more with a mixture of home-grown reggae, DJ, gospel, soul, and dance items from communities around the bauxite plant.

The series — which began last Thursday and will run each Thursday until May 3 — will culminate with a grand final among the top seven performers who will emerge from the 21 entrants. The series enters its fourth week today with cash prizes worth $200,000 to be won.

Nathan Thompson, Noranda’s human resource manager, said the series — now in its second year — has proved to be a success. “The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission has recognised it as a valuable resource for exposing talent from our inner communities,” said Thompson.

“We enjoy the show but we are also impressed with the high-quality performances that are providing such rich entertainment each Thursday.”

The artistes have a huge following from their particular communities and are judged by Mark Brown and Marjorie McIntosh, experienced festival adjucators in St Ann, as well as musicologist Maurice Bryson.

The concerts are managed by the Noranda Community Council and the Noranda Sports Club. The emcee is Seymour Green.