 "Photo: Illustration by oscar chacon")
Chico State is about to get a big dose of raw, unrestrained talent as A.S. Presents! will host "You - A Talent Showcase" at 7 p.m., Friday in the Bell Memorial Union Auditorium.
For $5, everyone can come out and enjoy a show featuring a diverse range of local talent acts.
Auditions were held April 19, and out of 34 people who auditioned, 14 acts were chosen to perform in the competition.
The auditions went well, and members are happy with the diversity of acts that will be performing in the show, said A.S. Presents! publicity coordinator Greer Shuler.
Danny Glazier, the music director for A.S. Presents, agrees.
The show includes "the coolest kid you'll ever see in your entire life," Glazier said. "He's an 11-year-old kid who just rocked it on the piano."
Joining Slade Darrin, the 11-year-old pianist, is David McCray, an international relations major, who hopes to keep audience members rolling in their seats with his comedy act.
McCray, who opened for both Michelle Buteau and Lonnie Love this year, is excited to be performing in the competition.
"I'm actually pretty nervous about being in the competition," McCray said. "I'm very excited though, and I think I have a great talent to show off."
Slade, McCray and the other contestants will not only be providing Chico with a night of entertainment and fun, they will also be competing for prizes, including cash, Shuler said.
Though the award amounts have yet to be determined, Shuler promises they will be substantial and only the top three contestants will receive the cash.
In addition to money, the first-place winner will also secure an opening spot in one of the A.S. Presents! shows next semester, Glazier said.
The show will have three judges to decide who will win the big prizes. The judges were chosen to keep the judging panel as well-rounded and diverse as the talent acts, Glazier said.
The judges are Jody Strong, the assistant director of student programming and governmental affairs; Dwight Frey, director of A.S. Presents!; and Spencer Beavers, the programming director for KCSC radio.
Beavers is looking forward to being a judge for the competition and being entertained by the variety of acts set to perform.
"I'm super excited," Beavers said. "I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing some great
talents, preferably weird or bizarre ones - those tend to be more interesting."
Frey, who also looks forward to being on the judging panel, is hoping to find some new acts to perform for next semester, he said.
"I think it's an opportunity for the students and community to have fun and see some wonderful talent," Frey said. "This is going to be a wonderful and safe event with lots of people with great talent."
Angela Perez can be reached at
aperez@theorion.com
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