KUKUI GROVE — If Oreet Feinstein had known about it, she would not have been eating lunch, Saturday. Instead, she would have been part of the field of participants in the preliminary round of the Kiwanis Shower of Stars talent
KUKUI GROVE — If Oreet Feinstein had known about it, she would not have been eating lunch, Saturday.
Instead, she would have been part of the field of participants in the preliminary round of the Kiwanis Shower of Stars talent competition taking place on the stage at Kukui Grove Shopping Center.
Frank Albert has been coordinating the annual talent competition for about 30 years, and this year’s preliminary round coincided with the mall’s back-to-school promotions for the first week of school.
About two dozen aspiring hopefuls in the performing arts took advantage of the opportunity to see if they could advance to the finals which will be held Aug. 13 at the War Memorial Convention Hall.
“Frank has been doing this for so long, and some of the talent that came through this program have moved on to find professions on the stage,” said Pat Cooney, president of the Kiwanis Club of Kaua‘i.
Proceeds from the Shower of Stars benefit the community service group, and Cooney said he still has tickets for the finals.
As the competition — broken down into a junior, 17 and under division; and a senior, 18 and above division — unwound, Feinstein received encouragement from contestants to try and see if she could do a walk-on.
But she resigned herself to watching as seven contestants from each division were named to advance to the finals which start at 6:30 p.m.
During the final round, contestants will be competing for cash, trophies and other prizes.
Jonathan Lindsey was one of the junior division finalists with a singing and dancing number along with Keaton-Joseph Mariano Hardy singing in a junior-sized outfit.
Tehila Sadehu advanced with her vocal presentation and Kachina Azuremare advanced with her piano playing. The Pink Pebbles Crew moved on with a break dancing routine with Harley Broyles and Talia Trepte rounding out the junior division with vocal renderings.
Shannon Link, Tommy Patch and Alysha Bogart advanced to the finals in the senior division with their respective vocal presentations.
The trio was joined by Meagan Mendoza who performed her own composition, “Tug of War,” on an ukulele.
Steve Nakayama was dressed in a full suit and advanced with his “Ladies Choice,” listed as a singing entry. Celeste Amertrine did a Middle Eastern dance solo and Gloria Purter, working as Lady Glo with Jason on the stage, advanced with their duet.
Additionally, the audience at the finals competition will be treated to a performance on classical guitar by Justin Matheny.
Advance tickets for the finals are $8 for adults and $4 for children and are available from any of the contestants, Kiwanis members, or by calling (808) 573-1238. Cooney said they can also call him at 822-1885.
Tickets will also be available at the door, but those prices will be $10 for adults and $6 for children.
Albert was introduced to the talent competition on one trip to Kaua‘i where he was presenting a magic and hypnotic show to benefit the Kiwanis Club.
On that visit, he discovered there were people with talent and since then, has become a coordinator for the talent show, holding his preliminary round at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center before joining a host of Kiwanis members for the finals at the convention hall.
But the magic and hypnosis show did not fall victim to talent.
Albert still offers the annual magic and hypnosis show which benefits the American Veterans Association.
This year’s show, which will feature special guest star Kolina in “The Magic of the Islands” and Dr. Scandia’s “Concert of Hypnotism” will be at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 11, at the convention hall.
