Harford’s Got Talent Fundraiser Tickets Now On Sale

From Harford Center For The Arts:

Bel Air, MD (March 23, 2010) Tickets are now on sale for the Harford’s Got Talent fundraiser on May 1st at the Amoss Center to benefit the Center for the Arts.

Harford County can vote for their favorite performers at the event and the audience will determine the winners for the performing and visual arts awards. There will be a $1,500 performing award and a $500 visual arts award. Tickets are $24 for adults and $15 for those 15 years or younger. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and attendees can view the visual arts finalists and cast their votes for the winner. In addition, there will be additional entertainment for the audience. The Good Company Recorder Consort will perform from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Entertainment will also be provided by the Crooner & the Comic: A tribute to Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis with Eric Richardson and Matt Macis. The Havre de Grace High School Jazz Ensemble will also perform. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. and celebrity judges will also be on hand to add to the festivities. They include Billy Boniface, Harford County Council President; Jack Gerbes, Director of the Maryland Film Office; and Karen Green, Recreation Specialist, Havre de Grace Activity Center, Harford County Department of Parks & Recreation. The Honorary Chair is Dr. James LaCalle, President of Harford Community College and the emcee is Wayne Thibeault, Principal of Patterson Mill High School. Kelly Financial will oversee the ballot process and voting at the Harford’s Got Talent fundraiser.

The competition was open to individual performers and group performers (up to 15 people), and visual artists, age 13 and older who live, work, perform or study regularly in Harford County or who have done so in the past. Forty performers applied to audition the last weekend in March to become a finalist. The diverse group of applicants include: classical guitar, piano, illusionist, monologues, dance-contemporary and traditional, comedy, vocal, bands, hip hop, pop, and more! There will be 10-12 performer finalists chosen. Judges determining the finalists at the auditions include:

*Todd Starkey- Resident Director and Board Member, Tidewater Players

*Paul Labe-Dean for Visual, Performing, & Applied Arts Harford Community College

*Richard Hauf-Director of Bands, Fine Arts Department Chair, Havre de Grace High School

*Bernie Cook-Director of Paint & Powder Show/Music Educator

*Sheldon Bair-Founder and Music Director of the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra; Music Teacher-Harford County Public Schools; Adjunct Professor- Harford Community College

*Martha Valentine-Dance Educator and Coordinator of the Harford County Cultural Arts Board

*Tom Rzepnicki-Owner Dancing With Friends

*Chuck Bowden-Executive Director Bel Air Drama Company-Bel Air High School; Adjunct Faculty- Theatre: Harford Community College; Festival Director- North East Theatre Festival

Performers will be judged on artistic expression, choice of materials, level of difficulty, technical ability, presentation, stage presence, and charisma. Finalists for visual artists will be judged on subject, choice of materials, use of media, technical ability, presentation, and artistic excellence. Eleven visual artists have applied to participate in the competition.

Contact Lyndi Richards for sponsorship information at lyndi@CenterForTheArtsHarford.org and call (410) 838-2177 for tickets. Visit www.CenterForTheArtsHarford.org for additional information.

The goal of Harford’s Got Talent is to provide opportunities for emerging artists with roots in Harford County and to assist them in their development and practice of their art.

Proceeds raised will help to build a Center for the Arts in Harford County. The Center For the Arts will include music, dance, visual, traditional, & literary arts, theatre, and arts education. In addition, it will include special event/business meeting spaces and a heritage museum. The Center for the Arts is a 501 (3) ( c ) non-profit organization.