Talented residents have one day left to submit an entry form before the fourth annual Oxford’s Got Talent audition at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Applications must be received before the audition and can be dropped off at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center today or tomorrow.
Knowingly dangerous or harmful talents are not permitted, so jugglers will need to leave their fire batons at home.
Performers can still sing, dance, play musical instruments and perform magic. Safe, family-friendly juggling is allowed. Live or recorded accompaniment, assistants, or stage assistants are also allowed. So, if you’re hoping to play a vintage tape of Boyz II Men in the background, while you pull a rabbit out of a hat or perform card tricks, come on down, along with all other performers.
“We haven’t had anyone do magic, so if you do have someone who has a magic show, we would love it,” said Wayne Andrews, director of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. Last year, about 26 solo and group acts performed, and about 300 people were in attendance. Andrews said it’s always a full house.
One of the show’s most unique performers was Shirley Stroud, a woman who learned authentic hula dancing as a child growing up in Hawaii. Stroud was about 70, Andrews said, and really had the crowd going.
“The young kids from the dance schools … just loved her and cheered for her,” he said. That was the second year of the competition. Stroud was invited back in the third year, and did an encore performance at the end of the talent competition. She brought people onstage and taught them how to hula while judges tallied the scores, Andrews said.
Each contestant is limited to just seven minutes for the performance. Performers can audition, or submit a video or CD, or be sponsored by a fraternity, sorority or other community group. Contestants compete in age categories, so kids, college students and older adults each compete with people their age.
“We’re looking for people who can do what they say they can do, and we’re looking for community friendly talent,” Andrews said. “It’s really supposed to be fun and a chance for everyone to cheer each other on.”
The talent contest will be April 1 at the Powerhouse.
The community talent show is in its fourth year, and is presented by the Oxford Park Commission, Yoknapatawpha Arts Council and University of Mississippi Panhellenic Council. Anyone interested in keeping up with events happening at the Powerhouse can sign up for the arts council newsletter on their website.
– Gretchen Stone is HottyToddy.com associate editor. You can contact Gretchen about this story at Gretchen.Stone@HottyToddy.com.
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