Grassroots Talent Competition making waves

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By today, the finalists in the Shaw Park Cultural Complex’s third episode of its Grassroots Talent Competition would have been revealed.

The competition, which began on September 12, will air its third episode today (October 10) on the complex’s Facebook page. During the show, the winners of the second episode will be revealed.

The competition sought to engage Tobago’s artistes in a virtual contest. The aim is to get them to practice their skills and showcase their talents via video, John Arnold, executive coordinator of the complex said.

“The show is a platform for those in the performing arts to use this COVID period to excel. They now have an opportunity to rehearse, practice, put their stuff on stage in video format,” Arnold told Tobago Today.

Arnold said the event was well received by the artistes and the general public.

“So far, we have had a tremendous response from the creative artistes in Tobago, so much so, the first episode showcased ten contestants, not the agreed to eight. We had planned for eight but the first one (episode) we went with ten, as the response was so overwhelming and then we went with eight and eight every other week.”

He said the competition also engages the public. Social media users have a say about who will win. They can support their favourite competitor by liking their performance. The likes make up 50 per cent of all competitors’ total scores. Scores from a panel of judges make up the other 50 per cent of the scores, Arnold said.

He said there will be six episodes and a grand final show. Competitors are vying for over $50,000 in prizes.

Participants can still enter the competition until November. To enter, they can log on to the Shaw Park Complex’s Facebook and Instagram page for more details.