McCarthy's Community Talent Competition

cork | arts and media | event notice Saturday April 25, 2015 16:17 by Yvonne Coughlan - RSVP

PRESS RELEASE - Children's Talent Competition

This is a free entry event. All talents are valid. Just arrive in the day and remember to have fun. Venue: Lifetime Lab, Lee Road, Cork. 10am-5pm.

7th annual Cllr. Kieran McCarthy’s Community Talent Competition produced by RSVP (Red Sandstone Varied Productions.)
AUDITIONS SUNDAY 10th May 10am-5pm at LIFETIME LAB, LEE ROAD.

This is a FREE ENTRY event for Primary and Secondary school children.
This is the Seventh year of Cllr Kieran McCarthy’s Community Talent Competition. The auditions for this FREE ENTRY arts participation event take place Sunday 10th May, 10am-5pm in the Lifetime Lab, Lee Road. A Cork project for young people with no entry fees where all talents are valid for consideration. The final takes place at The Firkin Crane on Saturday 23rd May, 7pm. The final is open to the public; Tickets €6.

This is a not-for-profit community project, and we promise you that supporting this project will also support your community’s young people, and give you a great night’s entertainment. In the line up each year there are some seriously shiny stars, some adorable raw talent, and some endearing stories of the 'act.' It’s all gold, and the Firkin Crane on the 23rd May will be massive fun. There are two categories, with 12 acts in the primary school children’s category and 12 acts in the secondary school student’s category. Winners will be awarded a perpetual trophy and prize money of €150 (two by €150). The project is founded and funded by Cllr Kieran McCarthy in association with RSVP (Red Sandstone Varied Productions). Blue Shed productions, courtesy of Maurice Supple, capture the event each year with a short video. The RSVP team working diligently behind the scenes on the project; Shirley Deane, Michelle Sheehan, Shannon White, Livy Riordan, and Christopher O Flaherty.

Shane Ryan and Colum McCormack Crowe, coach each team of contestants through bootcamp and rehearsals at The Firkin Crane. Each year we have dancers, vocalists, rap artists, bands, duets, magicians and theatre in the line up. Everything from speed cups to gymnastics is welcome; all talents are valid. On the night of the final the RSVP mentors will make sure all the young contestants are relaxed, warmed up for performance, and ready for a great night. Our special guest this year is Shauna Nolan, a previous winner, who has done us proud by going on to great success on The Voice of Ireland, as well as inspiring us with original songs and performing with The Academy of Popular Music Super Band. The 2014 winners will also give performances before presenting the trophies to their successors; in the Primary section, dancer Jill Mackesy from Our lady of Lourdes NS, Ballinlough; in the Secondary school section, Cian & Jordan.

Cian Mullane and Jordan Morrisson met when they competed in 2013, then came back together to win in 2014. They are students of Gael Cholaiste Mhuire North Mon and Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig. Since winning the competition last May, the boys formed the band Crojayn www.facebook.com/pages/Crojayn/1434268930161612 They supported John Spillane in Youghal, thanks to competition mentor Shane Ryan, and in the words of Jordan’s Dad, John Morrison, ‘from then on it’s been a whirlwind of activity, playing venues like the Grand Central in Dublin, Cyprus Avenue in Cork, Paragon in Skibbereen and more.” They have recently commenced their own live venue in Cork, at 4 French Church Street, and are completing their first EP with promotion videos. We could not be more proud of these forward-moving, talented young men.

Cllr. McCarthy began the talent competition as a community initiative, he believes, ‘It encourages all young people to develop their talents and creative skills, to push forward with their lives, and to embrace their community positively.’ The judges offer positive feedback and advice at every stage. Returning to the judging panel again this year are Mary Hegarty opera singer; Sharon Crosbie jazz singer; Colum McCormack Crowe entertainment correspondent; Shane Ryan of Crux Entertainment and Yvonne Coughlan producer/director RSVP. The talent, like the judges, is always diverse, entertaining and fun, as are our lovely RSVP mentors Livy Riordan, Shannon White, Shirley Deane and Michelle Sheehan!

‘Many of our contestants are performing in public for the first time, as this free entry event gives everyone an equal opportunity to engage with it. The most important thing for the producers is to make certain that every child, who has made the effort to be there for an audition, feels like they have made a positive step towards their future. That is why previous winners often come back time and time again. We give encouragement and advice, and we strive to teach children to recognise opportunity. We believe in empowering a generation of open minded, inspiring individuals, some of whom, like our sponsor independent councillor, Kieran McCarthy will always love performance art, but will work in areas that change policy and support community.’ Yvonne Coughlan, producer.
Ryan Coleman, winner 2010 in a group, and, 2012 as a solo artist, says, ‘I would highly recommend entering. Even if you don’t win, it is sure to be great craic.’
‘I love this competition, and I love the producers, I’m coming back every year!’ Shannon White, member of the RSVP mentor team, and talent show winner 2011.
‘McCarthy’s Community Talent Competition was a wonderful opportunity. It gave me tremendous encouragement and belief in my talent. I will always look back on my time in the competition with great fondness.’ Shauna Nolan, winner 2013.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATZfkdJRoYw *********
AUDITIONS McCarthy’s Community Talent Competition.
Venue: Lifetime Lab, Lee Road. DATE: Sunday 10th May Time: 10am-5pm. FREE ENTRY!
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For further information contact Yvonne: 0868764685, rsvpireland@gmail.com