By Rick Palsgrove
Eastside Editor
Talent abounds in Reynoldsburg and you can see it at this year’s Reynoldsburg’s Got Talent.
Twenty acts will perform at the second annual talent show to be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at Reynoldsburg High School, Summit Campus, 8579 Summit Road, in the Performing Arts Center.
Winners of this family-friendly event will be chosen from youth and adult categories for singing, dance, and novelty. The grand cash prize of $250 will be chosen by the audience.
“The audience can expect to see performers ranging in age from elementary years to adult, including dancers, singers, rappers, instrumental artists, and more,” said Wendy Tipton of the Reynoldsburg Lions Club.
Reynoldsburg’s Got Talent is sponsored by City Barbecue, the Reynoldsburg Lions Club, and Simple Church. All proceeds will go to A Kid Again, which benefits children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
Last year, Reynoldsburg’s Got Talent raised $2,800 for A Kid Again. This year, according to Tipton, organizers hope to raise at least $4,000.
Tipton said the auditions for the event, which were held in early February, were inspiring.
“As I welcomed the performers at the auditions, I was so proud of each and every one of them,” said Tipton. “Some of those auditioning came to us with a lot of experience performing in front of others. I watched these individuals encouraging those who were struggling with and overcoming stage fright.”
Tipton said one of her favorite moments was when an 11-year-old Reynoldsburg student and his school nurse were surprised to see each other at auditions.
“Neither one knew that the other one had such remarkable talent,” said Tipton. “The nurse was a professional singer before getting her degree, and the student has been writing his own lyrics and rapping at a variety of events since he was 8 years old. Both are hoping to draw a crowd for the talent show because the more people that come, the more money is raised for A Kid Again.”
Tipton said an event like this is important to the community because “it is an opportunity for performers to showcase their talent and to use their gifts to bless others. At the same time, a show like this inspires the rest of us and brings us together to make a positive difference in the lives of very sick children and their families.”
Tickets and sponsorships
For tickets go online to www.ReynoldsburgsGotTalent.com. Tickets are also being sold at: Simple Church, 6475 E. Main St., from 9 a.m. – noon on Sundays and at the Reynoldsburg Winter Market at the Senior Center, 1520 Davidson Drive, from 4-7 p.m. on Feb. 18 and Feb. 25.
Tickets will also be sold at the door the night of the performance. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
City Barbecue sandwiches will be sold at the event with all of the proceeds from these sales donated to A Kid Again.
Sponsors are still needed. If you are interested in being a sponsor, call Mike Kerek of the Reynoldsburg Lions Club at (740) 412-4692 by Feb. 14.
For more information, email ReynoldsburgsGotTalent@gmail.com or call (614) 729-8844.
Last year’s winners
Last year’s grand prize winner of the $250 cash prize, chosen by the audience, was RJR Cheer. Other 2015 winners selected by a panel of three judges were: adult vocals: Maria Bailey; youth vocals: Lashea Lyons; adult band: John Tucker; youth band: Trinity Nhem; adult variety: Kentrell Skeens; and youth variety: JDSD Tap Dancers.
