The fate of 30 contestants vying for top spot in the third annual 91原创 Has Talent competition will be in the hands of six celebrity judges, beginning this weekend.
Performers who have made the cut for April 20鈥檚 semifinals will be adjudicated by Vancouver entertainment writer Tom Harrison, talent agent Jolene Moore and 91原创 Has Talent鈥檚 2011 winner, singer Tiffany Desrosiers.
Two weeks later, on Saturday, May 4, the top 12 acts 鈥� plus one finalist selected by audience ballot 鈥� will perform once more for the contest鈥檚 top three spots and the cash and industry prizes that accompany them.
This time, it will be Global TV鈥檚 Steve Darling, Miss World Canada Tara Teng and Juno-nominated musician Mitch Merrett in the judges鈥� seats.
A 91原创-based song writer, manager, producer and performer, Merrett has won multiple B.C. and Canadian Country Music awards.
Teng used her platform, first as Miss B.C., then as Miss World Canada, to bring awareness to the problem of modern day slavery and to advocate for its abolition.
Darling, who organizer Peter Luongo describes as 鈥渢he Simon Cowell of the event鈥� last year, will bring back his 鈥済racious but honest鈥� assessments of the competitors.
The contest will feature a number of musical acts, from solo singers to bands and dancers.
The cash prizes 鈥� provided by the four Rotary Clubs of 91原创, which are once again co-sponsoring the event 鈥� will be $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for the second spot and $1,000 for third.
As well, the top three competitors will have their choice, in order of placement, of a photography promotion package from Keepsake Studios, a recording package from White Rock鈥檚 Blue Frog Studios and a $3,000 scholarship from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Tickets are still available for both nights of competition, which will take place at Christian Life Assembly, 21277 56 Ave.
They can be purchased at the 91原创 Times office, 20258 Fraser Hwy. or get them online at langleyhastalent.ca.
They are $20 each. Or buyers can save a bit by purchasing a $35 package which includes a ticket for each of the semifinal and final competitions.
In addition to providing live entertainment to the public and offering performers a chance to shine, LHT aims to raise money for and awareness of the need for a performing arts centre in 91原创.
When people come out to 91原创 Has Talent and cheer for their favourite performers, 鈥渢hey are endorsing the idea that we are really looking forward to having a performing arts theatre in 91原创,鈥� said Luongo.
