Weekly dances like Uptown Mondays and Weddy Weddy draw huge crowds which include movers and shakers of the music business.

Ricardo “Bossa B” Ellis hopes his No Bar dance in Denham Town will reach that level.

Its third staging for 2023 is scheduled for August 7 at the Denham Town Park. The previous event took place at the same location in April.

“This event has grown a lot. [The] first staging we pulled about 500 patrons, now it grow past that. No Bar is very important to Denham Town because it make a lot of people from other communities come here, plus it inspire more youth to keep a party and that help keep di community violence-free,” said Bossa B.

Like other weekly party sessions around Kingston, No Bar has a concept. Patrons pay a small fee but are allowed to enter the venue with their own drinks.

No Bar features sound systems and budding artistes, mainly from West Kingston, which has a rich music history, producing acts like Ken Boothe, Gregory Isaacs and Errol Dunkley.

The event returned last year after a two-year break due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

What it needs to break big, Bossa B believes, is corporate support.

“We would love to get sponsors for this party so that we could do a lot more for the patrons, likewise help push the brand if any sponsors come on board,” he said.

Next month sound system selectors Sting Dawg, Shukkle Bus, DJ Mac and Baba, and Fire Bigz will be featured.

— Howard Campbell