Heather Latter
The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts once again will host a talent show fundraiser, this year called “Show Us Your Talent,” in celebration of its 76th season.
And organizers are looking for performers of all ages to take part.
“Our first event last year was quite a success,” enthused Festival vice-chair Cynthia Donald.
“We had a lot of great acts and it was a great opportunity for performers to showcase their talent,” she noted.
Donald said the event will follow a similar format as last year, with the only change being to the venue.
“Now that Knox [United Church] is back up and running again, we decided to have it in McMillan Hall,” she noted, adding it will be there instead of at Robert Moore School.
“The space is now accessible and it has a stage, so we thought we could utilize it,” she reasoned.
“It’s a smaller, more intimate venue so it will be great because it won’t be as scary for first-time performers since it won’t be a big audience,” she added.
“And we are hoping to see some new performers out,” said Donald, noting it’s a wondering chance for people to try out a new talent or something they have been working on.
She added any kind of talent is welcome.
“Magic, comedy, gymnastics, cheerleading—anything that they think would be entertaining,” Donald remarked, though noting singing, instruments, poetry, and dance also are welcomed acts.
In fact, she noted last year’s show featured a hula-hooper, a one-man band, and even a routine using a whip.
“It’s non-judgemental,” Donald stressed, noting there are no judges, no adjudications, and no prizes.
“It’s just an opportunity to get up there and perform.”
Each number should not be more than four minutes in length.
Duets and groups also are welcome.
However, Donald said there will be an audition process prior to the show.
Performers will audition with their prepared number on Jan. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in McMillan Hall, then those selected will participate in the talent show there Jan. 21.
The show will take place at 6 p.m., with admission being $5.
Donald said those auditioning should come with their music, costume, and anything else they will require for the performance.
“We don’t want to discourage those that don’t get chosen,” Donald stressed.
“What we are trying to do is create a well-rounded show so we don’t want 15 dance routines,” she explained.
Donald also said sometimes certain performances just aren’t quite ready.
“But with some more practice, they would be ready to perform in the Festival, which is in April,” she noted.
“We thought it would be a good way to help performers, both seasoned and new, prepare for and get excited about the 2015 Festival,” Donald enthused.
“We wanted to do something and [a talent show] really fits in with our whole purpose.”
She also stressed people do not have to have participated in the Festival before to get involved.
“We just want to showcase all the talent there is in the Rainy River District,” she reasoned.
The Festival has been providing a fun and rewarding opportunity for people from across the district to showcase, develop, and nurture their dramatic and/or musical abilities for more than 75 years.
Donald hopes the talent show will bring about some new excitement so the Festival can continue on for at least that many more.
She added she hopes there will be a good turnout for the auditions, as well as the talent show itself.
“Things seem to slow down after Christmas and there aren’t too many events going on,” she noted.
“And by January, Festival performers are beginning to prepare their pieces so the timing is good for that,” she added, noting there will be information about the Festival on hand that night.
The talent show also will include a bake sale so anyone who is interested in donating baking can let Donald know.
Performers looking to try out can fill out a form available by e-mailing Donald at mrsontario58@gmail.com
