Asbury’s Got Talent
Showcase Finals Set For 3 pm Saturday in Springwood Avenue Park
Saturday in Springwood Park April 27 promises to be an afternoon of outstanding entertainment and community pride as 22 finalists in three age categories compete in the Asbury Park’s Got Talent Showcase.
The public is invited to the competition which begins at 3 pm on the park stage. The new Interfaith Neighbors community initiative features performances in dance, rap, song, spoken word, comedy, and piano.
The finalists emerged from three auditions held at the Kula Café between January and March when 57 contestants were judged on their talent, originality, audience appeal and overall performance in the age categories of 10 to 13 years old, 14 to 18 years and 19 and above. Age of the finalists ranges from 9 to 68. Mychal Mills, co-founder of Konscious Youth Development & Service emceed the auditions.
Asbury Park’s Got Talent was made possible by a youth subcommittee led by Kevin Oakley and Kerry Simmons and funded in part under a Wells Fargo Regional Foundation Planning Grant. Oakley and Simmons, graduates of Asbury Park High School and Interfaith’s Kula Café Hospitality Training Program, started the youth-led, adult-guided project to provide community members with a platform to showcase their talent as well as to stimulate community engagement.
“We hope that this youth-generated initiative can continue and grow in years to come,” said Executive Director Paul McEvily.
The project also was stimulated by the Asbury Park Public Library’s AP African American Music Heritage Project funded through an NJ Historical Commission Grant to research the history of the city’s African American community sounds of jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues along Springwood Avenue.
Judging the contestants Saturday will be Asbury Park Board of Education President Angela Ahbez-Anderson, Asbury Park City Councilwoman Amy Quinn, NBA Cleveland Cavaliers J.R.Smith, Garden State Hip-Hop Founder Rodney Coursey, NJ Assemblywoman Joann Downey, and Jazz Saxophonist and former Asbury Park High School Band Director Dorian Parreott.
Interfaith Neighbors Community Outreach Specialist Diane Shelton and intern Leila Ali helped guide the talent show process through the winter and Shelton commended the community support for the talent show.
Sponsors include Felix Cahn Builders, Coastwide Insurance Associates, Storytellers Mosaic of Monmouth County, Madison Marquette, McLoone’s Restaurant, Asbury Park Music Foundation, Konscious Youth Development & Service, Alliance For a Healthier Asbury Park, Boys & Girls Club of Monmouth County, STEAMpark, Georgie’s Bar, City of Asbury Park, Mrs. G, Lakehouse Music Academy, Asbury Park School District, West Side Citizens United, and Pepsico Inc.
In case of inclement weather, the talent show will be held at the Barack Obama Elementary School on Bangs Avenue. For more information, contact Diane Shelton dianes@interfaithneighbors.org or 732 775 0525, ext. 201.
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