Talented performers compete Saturday

Sisters Gabrielle and Alexis Collick will hula hoop while dancing at the L.A.T.E. Show and talent competition Saturday at the PIX. Photo by Jacob Hunsanger LAPEER — Lapeer’s most talented child and teenage performers will compete on stage at the PIX Theatre this Saturday, and audience members will be able to cast a vote for their favorites. The first ever L.A.T.E. Show (Lapeer Area Talented Entertainers) takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the PIX Theatre.

The performance will be broken up into two sets of a competitive talent show. First, children 12 years and younger will before their talents on stage, followed by teenagers. Each showcase, some of which feature groups of performers, will be judged by both the audience and a panel of judges.

The children and teenagers all auditioned at the PIX last month and have spent the past few weeks rehearsing their performances to get ready for Saturday night.

Larissa Hollingsworth, who has performed in Lapeer for several years, will be one of several talented performers in the L.A.T.E. Show. Photo by Jacob Hunsanger Craig Martin, executive director of the PIX Theatre, said he is very excited for the unique version of a talent show being offered. According to Martin, there will be nine children and 14 teenagers performing on stage. That includes a pair of sisters doing the hula hoop while dancing, another pair singing country music, and a group of teenagers performing together as a band.

The acts will predominately feature music, both singing and playing instruments, but there is still a wide variety involved in that. According to Martin, there will be the sister dancing while doing the hula hoop, acoustic guitar playing, tap dancing and more. One teenage girl will even be singing an original ballad she wrote.

Levi Horton of North Branch and Shelby Dulin of Metamora, both 16, will be playing acoustic guitar on stage. A familiar face on the stage will be Larissa Hollingsworth, who has been crowned Little Miss Lapeer for several years in a row and has been heard singing patriot songs around the county.

Martin is very impressed with each performer’s talent and skill level and is looking forward to showcasing Lapeer’s young artists on stage. “There’s really some nice stuff,” said Martin. “It’s nice to see the kids come out and try something.”

Following the performances, the audience will have a chance to vote for their favorite child and teenage performers. Those votes will be combined and tallied along with the votes from a panel of judges to choose the top three winners in both categories. The first, second and third place winners will receive savings bonds for $100, $50 and $25, respectively.

Judging the L.A.T.E. Show will be Barry White from North Branch Elementary, Gallery 194 director Carolyn McCarter and Judge Michael Higgins.

Auditions for the L.A.T.E. Adults Show will be held at the PIX Theatre on Wednesday, Feb. 29 from 6-10 p.m. Adults from the county are encouraged to audition for the show performing any talent from singing and musical skills to magic, monologues or even juggling. The adult talent show will be held at the PIX on Saturday, March 17.

Doors will open Saturday at 7 p.m. for the L.A.T.E. Kids and Teens Show and the performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. sharp. Presale tickets are available online or at the PIX Box Office, which cost $10 for adults and $8 for students or seniors. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door, costing $14 for adults and $12 for students or seniors. For more information, go online to www.pixlapeer.org or call 810- 664-4824.