And then there were 15.
It turns out Langley really is a hotbed of talent — and it comes in wide range of forms.
Langley Has Talent, the first annual variety talent show, presented by the Rotary Clubs of Langley (with the aim of seeing a performing arts centre built in Langley) included dance acts in a range of genres — tap, ballet, modern and jazz — and singers who covered plenty of territory, from country to pop, soul, punk, and even a couple of Broadway show tunes.
Judged by Global TV’s travel expert Claire Newell, Langley musician and former Township Councillor, Howie Vickberg and Lissa Lloyd, owner of Lloyd Talent, the contest semifinals, held Saturday at Christian Life Assembly featured the top 29 acts selected from auditions held earlier in the spring.
Audience votes, combined with the judges’ decision determined which 15 acts would make it through to the April 30 final, which will see $2,500 in cash as well as industry prizes awarded for first place.
Among the acts competing for the top prize will be singer Justin Vanloo — and that news might well strike a little fear into the heart of another Canadian singer — also, coincidentally, named Justin.
Following the 13-year-old’s performance of Bruno Mars’ hit Grenade, contest emcee, JRFM’s Bob Saye, quipped that ‘Bieber fever’ may soon be giving way to ‘Vanloo flu.’
Contemporary dancer Regan Calicetto, praised by Lloyd as “modern, edgy and powerful” moves on, as does jazz dancer Lauren Tokiwa, whom Newell described as “athletic and beautiful to watch.”
Rounding out the dancers who continue into the final round are ballerina Melissa Johnston who danced an excerpt from Swan Lake and children’s tap group Bop Til You Drop.
Original songs served a number of contestants well, moving pop-country duo Robyn and Ryleigh (with their song I Believe in Love), country-folk artist Ron May (Dream Lady) and country singer Cory Risling (Hay Yall) into the finals, alongside Britt Bonshor, who accompanied herself on guitar as she sang about missing the simplicity of childhood.
Her original song Seven, was a last minute program change in honour of her dad’s birthday.
“That’s my favourite new song,” said Lloyd. “It has a lovely, light quality.”
Some current pop and country hits got their due as well, as Cassidy Hoflin sang Carrie Underwood’s Cowboy Casanova, Kaitlan Allinger performed The Voice Within, by Christina Aguilera, and Sarah Tummon played piano and sang Sarah McLachlan’s Angel.
Tiffany Desrosiers, an amateur artist who has become a regular on Lower Mainland stages over the past few years, performed Adele’s Someone Like You.
“I’ve watched you grow and mature,” Lloyd told Desrosiers.
“Whenever I get shivers and my hairs stand on end, I know I’m in the presence of greatness, and that’s you.”
Digging up a bit of the past, meanwhile, was a fledgling band called, The Colours, who impressed Lloyd with their ‘cool swagger’ as they put a rocking spin on Cab Calloway’s Minnie the Moocher.
“This isn’t the last we’re going to hear of The Colours,” predicted Newell.
Appropriately, taking the stage last on the three-hour program, singer Ashley Park was dubbed ‘Langley’s Queen of Soul’ by Vickberg for her performance of Etta James’ classic hit, At Last.
All 15 acts will hit the stage once again at Christian Life Assembly, 21277 56 Ave., on Saturday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Tickets, for those who didn’t buy the two-concert package, are $20 each, and are available at the Langley Times, 20258 Fraser Hwy., from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
They can also be purchased online at langleyhastalent.com.
