PHOTOS: NEPA Scene’s Got Talent, Week 1, 06/28/16
We’re trying something new with Season 4 of NEPA Scene’s Got Talent, letting the audience at Thirst T’s Bar & Grill in Olyphant choose two winners each night – one in the category of comedy/poetry/spoken word/performance art and one for music/dance – and holding two separate showcases at the end to determine the winners of two different grand prizes. During this season’s kickoff on Tuesday, June 28, we had another first for the event – Jillian Chiaro became the first female comedian in the history of the open mic and talent contest to be voted into the finals.
The young Gouldsboro comedian made everyone chuckle about dating and her personal life, while Moosic musician and longtime Got Talent favorite Joe Craig won in the music category with three original songs.
Week 1 performers:
Music: Joe Craig, Garit, Matt the Ripper, and Squid
Comedy: Jillian Chiaro, John Bubul, Elliott Elliott, Russell Austin, Ted Hebert, Ray Meoni, and Joe Farro
Chiaro and Craig each won $25 in cash, provided by Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, and a slot in the Finals Showcases, where the 12 winners from 12 consecutive weeks in two separate categories – comedy/poetry/spoken word/performance art and music/dance – will compete in front of a panel of judges that will determine the winners of the grand prizes. The winner of the music showcase will take home $250 cash; a gift certificate for Magdon Music; four hours of recording time at JL Studios; a home party kit from Coors Light and LT Verrastro, Inc.; a photography and graphic design package from Jess Meoni Design; and a guest spot on an episode of the NEPA Scene Podcast. The winner of the comedy/poetry/spoken word/performance art showcase will receive $250 cash, a headlining Thursday night performance at Thirst T’s with a $5 cover that all goes directly to the performer, a home party kit from Coors Light and LT Verrastro, a photography and graphic design package from Jess Meoni Design, and a guest spot on an episode of the NEPA Scene Podcast.
Sponsored by Coors Light, LT Verrastro, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, Magdon Music, JL Studios, Jess Meoni Design, 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 Sept. 13.
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 $25 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.
