With acts ranging from hip hop to lyrical dance, a rapper, a pair of heart-stopping aerial acts, more than a dozen musical performances and even a slam poet, the fifth and final Langley Has Talent competition, held at Christian Life Assembly on Saturday, was a variety show in the truest form of the word.
Judged by talent agent Jolienne Moore, TV and film actor Michael Roberds and musician Leah Emmott, the field of 23 semifinalists was narrowed to 12 acts that will return to the stage at CLA on April 18 to compete for a top prize of $2,500 in cash as well as a range of industry prizes.
“The judges deliberated for an hour after the show, trying to narrow down the field and, in the end, got a lineup that will certainly provide a highly entertaining show that will highlight Langley’s talent level,” said master of ceremonies and Langley Rotarian, Peter Luongo.
Among those heading through to the finals will be trapeze artist Caitlyn Mckenzie and silk aerialist Amanda Wormald both of whom worked high above the stage without benefit of a harness or a net.
Returning for the third time, rapper Josh G. kicked it old school with a mash-up that included the theme from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, while newcomer, spoken word artist Rachel Sault, personified a cork speaking to a wine bottle in a poem that featured plenty of clever turns of phrase.
Among the vocalists advancing is Haley Bouey, returning for her third year, who performed a rendition of Patsy Cline’s Crazy, which the judges called “perfection.”
The Horvats, a three-piece family ensemble that is becoming well known for performing at charitable events around Langley, gave a rousing rendition of the Johnny Cash hit, Jackson.
“Even the ‘fan favourite’ was a neck-and-neck race, with fewer than 10 votes making a difference in the audience’s choice,” Luongo said.
In the end, the crowd selected Trinity, a trio of female vocalists who sang Christina Aguilera’s 1940s-style swing tune, Candyman, to go through to the final competition.
“This was the best audience to date,” said Luongo. “There was clearly a great atmosphere in the building and the performers very much fed off of the energy.”
In addition to the 13 finalists, the April 18 show will feature guest performances from last year’s winners, “A Guy and a Girl” — Jesse and Kathleen, as well as instructors from Langley’s Cirque school, where two of this year’s finalists were trained.
Presented by Langley’s four Rotary clubs, the annual contest, which began in the spring of 2011, is intended to draw attention to the need for a dedicated performing arts facility in the Langleys.
Tickets are now on sale for the Langley Has Talent finals on Saturday, April 18 at Christian Life Assembly. They are $20 each, available online at langleyhastalent.com or at the Langley Times office, 20258 Fraser Hwy.
The 12 acts selected by the judges to advance to the April 18 final are:
Juannis Tsigonias vocalist
Caitlyn McKenzie trapeze
Rachel Sault spoken word
Stephanie Amadasun vocalist
Josh G rapper
Sara Garber piano and vocal
Her Brothers band
The Horvats vocal and guitar
Amanda Wormald silk aerialist
Alaina Orr lyrical dancer
Dante Arias dancer
Hayley Bouey vocalist
Crown performed Have a Cigar by Pink Floyd
Juannis Tsigonias’ performance of a Michael Jackson mash-up earned the singer a spot in the LHT finals on April 18
Runon Rujuko, an exchange student from Japan, performed a style of hip hop dance from her homeland, which combines dance and martial arts.
Judges Leah Emmott, Michael Roberds and Jolienne Moore were tasked with narrowing the field from 23 to 12 performers for the final competition. A 13th finalist was selected by the audience. The trio will be back to judge the finals on April 18.
Trapeze artist Caitlyn Mckenzie soared high above the stage at CLA on Saturday night. Audiences will be able to see her perform once again at the finals on April 18.
Langley Has Talent founder Peter Luongo, who served as master of ceremonies for the Langley Has Talent semifinal competition on Saturday, said the audience at the March 28 show was by far the most engaged the contest has hosted in its five-year history. Tickets for the April 18 final are $20 each and are on sale now at langleyhastalent.com and at the Langley Times office, 20258 Fraser Hwy.
