There will be a wide range of local talent on stage during an annual event that supports rising stars in the community and provides an evening of quality entertainment.
The Mosaic Youth Talent Showcase, supported by the Rotary Club of Parksville, takes place on Friday, May 19 at 7 p.m. Knox United Church in Parksville.
Local country singer Beth Marie Anderson is producing the show this year which includes scholarships for those selected to perform.
Anderson said this year she had many people audition or enquire about the show but she had to narrow it down and she’s thrilled with the high calibre of talent for the show.
The talent showcase has performers in various artistic disciplines and each of them will get a scholarship.
Anderson, 25, sang in the first show which her father initiated through the Rotary Club of Parksville.
For four years she performed in the event and now she is the producer.
This year she will do a special performance with Erick Gow. The two will sing a duet from West Side Story.
Gow who all does stand up comedy will emcee the event and will perform a comedic song he wrote with Nicco Rhodes.
Previous performances by talented youth in and around the area have included opera, classical music, musical theatre, hip hop dances and contemporary singing, among other disciplines and this year the entertainment line-up is varied.
“I have really talented people in the show,” admitted Anderson who added, “This year I had to turn people away. It is growing and it is encouraging to see all the new talent and I am excited for next year to showcase the talent that isn’t in this show.”
Kiana Smith who has performed in Mosaic before is a dancer who enjoys hip hop and other dance disciplines and she will be dancing solo, as well as with a dance troupe called Foot Clan.
Nic Annau will do an acoustic set playing guitar and singing.
Sisters Bethany Freed and Kristen Freed will be dancing solo performances.
Esme Liddicoat who studying at the Victoria Conservatory of Music is coming back for her second Mosaic performance doing classical voice.
Cate Richardson who is studying at the College of Performing Arts in Victoria will perform musical theatre.
Nicholas Atkinson a 17-year-old from Parksville who took top honours in four categories in the North Island Festival of Performing Arts will be doing musical theatre.
Atkinson placed first in musical theatre ballad, musical theatre comedy, American folk song and Italian art song at the festival back in February.
Emily Brandstatter and Mordecai Tang will be doing a Spanish dance duet which won them first place at the Upper Island Music Festival in Nanaimo last month.
Emily Kendal-Wilkins will perform ballet.
Lemon Tree a sister duo from Parksville who perform regularly at the Errington Coffee House will entertain with their country harmony.
Lachlan Craven a talented elementary school student will be playing piano.
Nicco Rhodes will perform solo on piano.
Anderson said they also have amazing silent auction items donated graciously by members of the business community.
Tickets for the May 19 show are $15 for adults, $10 for students and kids 12 and under are free and can be purchased at Cranky Dog Music in Parksville and Mulberry Bush Book Stores or at the door.
Anderson said she has made the event affordable because she wants to encourage families to come out.
