After a 15-year-old singer won the audience vote the week before, another young high schooler captured everyone’s attention at Week 4 of NEPA Scene’s Got Talent at Thirst T’s Bar & Grill.
18-year-old singer/songwriter James Barrett, the vocalist and guitarist of Clarks Summit alternative rock band Emberá, won with his heartfelt original music, including a new song he hadn’t played live until that night. Read an interview with Barrett in this week’s NEPA Scene’s Got Talent spotlight.
Week 4 performers:
Music: Adam Fox, Rose, Adam Bailey, Katie Evans, Hoppy Slot Mess, Joe Craig, Phil Yurkon, James Barrett, Amber Lynn, Patrick Schwartz, and Awnshae Smith
Comedy: Nate Demming, Shawn Ravenfire, Dan Hoppel, Zack Hammond, Russell Austin, Ted Hebert, and Bryan Walsh
Awnshae Smith returned to the stage at the end of the night to headline after winning last week’s audience vote with her take on songs like Sam Cooke‘s “That’s It, I Quit, I’m Movin’ On.” Barrett won $50 in cash, provided by Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, and the chance to headline the next event on Tuesday, Sept. 29, along with a slot in the Finals Showcase on Dec. 1, where the 12 winners from 12 consecutive weeks will compete in front of a panel of judges for the grand prize – a winter getaway package with ski passes and more, $250, an interview broadcast on Fuzz 92.1, and a free 10-hour recording session at TwentyFiveEight Studios in Scranton. The second place winner will receive $100.
Sponsored by Samuel Adams; LT Verrastro, Inc.; Fireball Cinnamon Whisky; Fuzz 92.1; TwentyFiveEight Studios; and Thirst T’s, NEPA Scene’s Got Talent takes the format of an open mic night and turns it into a friendly competition, inviting local musicians, comedians, poets, performance artists, magicians, actors, and more to perform on Thirst T’s stage every Tuesday at 7 p.m. through Nov. 17.
At the end of each night, audiences who have enjoyed the free live show will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite act. The winner each week will receive $50 in cash and the headlining slot for the following Tuesday, and all other performers are encouraged to compete again as often as they’d like or simply show off their talents for fun. Everyone participating is featured weekly on nepascene.com.
