The third annual Langley Has Talent competition is underway. The stage is set, prizes are lined up and the audience is waiting to snatch up tickets.
All organizers need now, is people who are willing to put it all out there for a moment in the spotlight.
With more than 30 acts lined up so far to vie for a spot on stage at Christian Life Assembly in late April, the LHT committee has extended its deadline for applications until Friday, Feb. 15.
Although the number of people applying has dipped, the quality of the talent is improving one year to the next, said committee chair Peter Luongo.
“Two years ago, we had a whole ton (of people auditioning). Last year, there were fewer candidates, but they were better.”
So far this year, Luongo said, the committee has seen applications from a number of musical acts — solo, duos and groups — but they’d like to hear from a few other brands of performers.
“I believe there are others out there who will bring variety,” he said. “It would be nice to have a magician, a ventriloquist or a comedian.”
Lauren Tokiwa, danced her way to the top spot last spring, proving that it’s not only singers who have a shot at victory, Luongo said.
Organizers would love to see more dance acts try out, said Luongo, noting Langley dancers have plenty to gain from the construction of a proper performing arts theatre close to home.
Since its beginning in 2011, the Langley Has Talent competition — presented by the Rotary Clubs of Langley — has been working to raise money toward the construction of a theatre in Langley while giving people a sense of the talent that exists in the community.
“The goal is not to raise enough money to build a theatre. We’re never going to make the millions and millions for that — it’s not going to happen,” said Luongo.
Money raised through the annual competition is earmarked for that purpose, he added.
But more than that, the competition is about raising awareness about the need.
And, he said, it’s working.
“Three years ago, there was no talk of it. Now as a result of our talking about how we’re the only community from UBC to Hope without a theatre, it’s got the community buzzing about it,” said Luongo.
This year’s semi-final competition — where the audience gets a say in who moves on — takes place on Saturday, April 20, with the final contest set for Saturday, May 4.
First prize is $2,500, second place receives $1,500 and $1,000 goes to third place. Each contestant also receives one of a trio of entertainment industry-related prize packages.
Cost to audition is $25 for a solo act, $50 for a duo and $75 for groups of three or more.
For more information or to register, go to langleyhastalent.ca.
Auditions will be held Feb. 16,17 and Feb. 23, 24.
Tickets for Langley Has Talent will go on sale in late February.
