28 April 2010

Finalists Preparing for
Huntington Arts Council's
Second Annual "Got Talent?
Long Island" Competition

Almost 100 applicants auditioned for the Huntington Arts Council's second annual island-wide talent competition, "Got Talent? Long Island." After reviewing the work of these talented singers, musicians and actors on two Saturdays of live auditions and DVD submissions, the judges narrowed the selection down to 15 finalists, who, along with two showcase artists, will perform on the evening of May 12.

The fabulous evening of entertainment takes place at Dix Hills Performing Arts Center Five Towns College at 8 p.m. Talent ranging from rock bands to classical pianists to Broadway performers will compete for a prize package that includes $500 cash, a gig at the 45th Annual Huntington Summer Arts Festival, a $1,000 scholarship to Five Towns College and much more. In addition to first prize, this talented group will compete for an Audience Choice Award, Rising Star Award, 13 Plus and 13 Under Awards and more. Comedienne and humorist Fran Capo will be the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

"We at the Huntington Arts Council are very excited about presenting the second annual 'Got Talent? Long Island' this year," stated Got Talent Chair Andrea Maire. "The level of talent last year was just incredible, but we are absolutely certain that this year's performing artists will top even that high bar. The finals on May 12 will be a great evening of entertainment, as well as a benefit for the performers, the community and the Arts Council, so we hope people from all over Long Island will turn out to cheer on our own local artists!"

The finals judges include:

  • Jen Chapin, singer/songwriter and activist;
  • Glenn Gamboa, Newsday music columnist;
  • John Platt, WFUV/90.7FM Director of Communications & Special Projects and on-air host of the wide-ranging "Sunday Breakfast";
  • Donna Drake, co-host of weekly TV program "Live It Up!" on WLNY-TV10/55
  • Bonnie Grice, host, "Arts and Culture Magazine," Monday-Friday mornings on 88.3FM Peconic Public Broadcasting;
  • Donna McKenna, Casting Agent.

This benefit for the Huntington Arts Council's Arts-in-Education program is also a benefit for the performing arts community, providing an opportunity for young and emerging artists to receive recognition. Tickets for the competition can be purchased online at www.huntingtonarts.org, by visiting the Huntington Arts Council's offices at 213 Main St., Huntington or by calling 631-271-8423 x 12. Sponsors include JVKellyGroup, Inc., Huntington Center for Performing Arts and Dix Hills Performing Arts Center Five Towns College.

Founded in 1963, the Huntington Arts Council is a not-for-profit organization which enriches the quality of life of Long Islanders with programs and services that address the needs and interests of artists, cultural organizations and the community. The Council's programs reach over one million Long Island residents, and it serves the entire region with its cultural listings at www.huntingtonarts.org. The Huntington Arts Council has been designated a "Primary Institution" by the New York State Council on the Arts, a title meaning "vital to the cultural life of New York State." The Council is the official arts coordinating agency for the Town of Huntington, and serves as the primary regranting agency on Long Island for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), in addition to its services to over 600 member cultural organizations and individual artist members.