Audiences will see talented performing artists competing for a chance at $1800 in prize money Saturday at WNMU’s Fine Arts Center Theatre (FACT). Silver City Grant County Has Talent returns this year with 16 competing acts ranging from singers and dancers to poi spinners and comedians as well as special returning guest star acts from the previous two years. This family friendly show is run by local non-profit Life’s a Variety Show, which “supports the arts for the young and young at heart,” according to its founder and long time Silver City supporter of the arts, Ward Rudick.
“It’s a fast-paced show,” Rudick said, “each act is less than 5 minutes and there’s so much variety that you really get to see a lot of different talents of all ages—from—6-80 singers, ballerinas, rappers, comedians, dog acts—people with all sorts of skills. You’ll be surprised to see the unique talents your community has.”
Audiences are invited to attend the special “Angel” preview performance on Friday night as well for just $5 to encourage the performers before their big night on Saturday. “It’s a fun way to get a preview of the show, to cheer for your favorite local performers, and see how their acts change from night to night—one of my favorite aspects of live theater,” said director and local business owner Joe Navan, who is also a sponsor for the show. Local businesses, individuals, the producing organization—Life’s A Variety Show, Inc—all sponsor Angel Tickets for low income, disadvantaged, at-risk kids and the entire family to have a night out and see the show. “The kids in the audience have a great time cheering for the kids on stage. There’s this wonderful, fun energy, that night,” said Lighting Designer Tasha Cooper who also created the stunning lighting effects for last year’s show.
Saturday night there will be three sets of First, Second, and Third Place prizes for competitors competing in three categories: Performers, Youth Performers (under 18) and Youth Visual Artists. The Visual Arts challenge is pre-judged and will exhibit the winners in the lobby before and during the show. All First, Second, and Third Place winners will be congratulated on stage and presented with prize money cheques at the conclusion of the show on Saturday Night. “I really hope to support our local performers and aspiring performers by giving them an opportunity to perform in a professional setting,” said Joe Navan who is directing the show this year. Ward Rudick—the producer and founder of Life’s a Variety Show, Inc—said "It's important to me to pass on my joy of performing by providing a venue, a stage, an adoring audience and a safe place for performers to experience being part of live theater! It’s important to me to support performing artists.”
Tickets are on sale now at Vintage Fantasies at 416 N Bullard and supporters can buy tickets to donate to families in need and children who otherwise don’t get much exposure to the arts. All tickets for the special (unjudged) preview show on Friday Night are $5. Tickets to the competition on Saturday are $10 and $15 for general open seating in the orchestra and the entire balcony, and $25 for reserved seats in the prime orchestra rows.
The Preview performance is at 7:30pm, Friday, August 23rd and the Silver City Grant County Has Talent Competition performance is at 7:30pm, Saturday, August 24th at WNMU’s Fine Arts Center Theater. For more information call 575 654-5202 or email lifesavarietyshownporg@gmail.com.
What Silver City Grant County Has Got Talent: Variety Show and Competition
When Saturday, August 24
6:30pm Doors open
7:30pm Showtime
Special Preview Performance
Friday, August 23
6:30pm Doors open
7:30pm Showtime
Where WNMU's Fine Arts Center Theatre
1101 N Kentucky, Silver City, NM 88061
Tickets $10-25, Saturday
$5, Friday Preview
Available 1 hour before the show at the door
Pre-sale tickets at Vintage Fantasies, 412 N Bullard
Contact Ward Rudick, executive producer
(575) 654-5202 / lifesavarietyshownporg@gmail.com