Twenty-six talented Jamaicans eager to have their talents discovered will vie for top honours at the National Finals of the Big Stage Competition on Sunday, July 20 at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre at 7:00 p.m.

The competition, which has evolved from the JCDC Popular Cultural Expressions/Pop and Variety Contest and Star Search competitions, is being held as one of the Jamaica Festival activities and promises to be a refreshing competition filled with family entertainment.

Two performers have been selected from each parish and will compete in the categories of Dance, Singing, Dee-Jay, Stand-up Comedy, Novelty Acts, Magic, Signing and Miming. The competition was staged in phases with a community search, parish finals and development workshops to improve the finalists’ talents.

With so many other talent competitions present, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Competition Coordinator, David Reid noted that “Jamaicans are appreciative that the competition caters to talents in almost any area in addition to the opportunity to have their talents exposed and developed nationally by the JCDC.”

A full night of entertainment is scheduled including performances from reggae artistes Chuck Fenda and I-Wayne. The Big Stage is sponsored by SunCity Radio, IRIE FM, Television Jamaica, Clear Sound Production Services and the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation.

For persons who wish to experience the Big Stage Nationals live, tickets are available at the Portmore Mall Pharmacy, Sangster’s Book Store (Mall Plaza, Portmore, Sovereign, King Street), JCDC Offices and online, www.jcdcjamaica.com. Adults can access tickets at a cost of $900 pre sold, $1000 at the gate and children $400 while public sector employees are able to purchase tickets at $800 with identification.