Loveland High School Student Zach Burpee was the grand prizewinner last year.
“Experience a night of unforgettable entertainment.”
Loveland, Ohio – The third Hold On Talent Slam will be held on March 7 at 7:30 PM. The venue this year will be Epiphany United Methodist Church at 6635 Loveland-Miamiville Rd.
The Hold On Talent Slam honors area teens for their performing art through an audition process and awarding of $3,500 in total prize money. The top cash award is $1,000.
Returning as emcee by popular demand will be Ohio State first year student, Ricky Mulvey. This is a stint Mulvey started while a junior at Loveland High School. While living in Loveland, Mulvey was the Sports Director for Loveland Magazine. He is honing his comedy act at venues in Columbus and recently made an appearance at Go Bananas in Montgomery.
Also back for a third year as stage manager is Loveland High School graduate Mallory Jackson, who is now studying at Ohio State. Jackson has been given complete reign to manage the acts and keep the show flowing since she was a high school junior.
“The community has another chance to experience a night of unforgettable entertainment,” said one of the organizers Doug Ransom who is a member of event sponsor A.S.A.P. (Andrew’s Suicide and Awareness and Prevention) a ministry of Epiphany United Methodist Church.
Loveland area organizations, businesses, and churches sponsor the annual showcase of talent to honor teens who are passionate about and work hard to craft their performance art. Singer/songwriters, musicians, poets, and dancers have competed in past events.
“It is just an awesome event,” said Heather Lynch, about the first two Talent Slams. Lynch is one of the organizers. “It has been exciting to showcase local teenagers’ talent and provide them an opportunity and an outlet for their gifts.”
There is no entry fee for the contestants who sent audition tapes for the opportunity to compete. Numerous door prizes, such as dinners at Loveland area restaurants, are awarded to the audience throughout the evening. The audience will enjoy light snacks provided by local eateries.
The teens will perform in front of a large audience, bright stage lights, and highly qualified judges selected for their varied expertise.
Lynch said people can expect a bigger and better event this year. She is hopeful the community will again come out to support the local teens. She said, “Over the years, the teens really bonded and it was a very positive experience for them. I think it made them feel really good about themselves because it promoted self esteem and was overall just a great experience for them.”
Matt Baker, another organizer said, “Last year’s event was so amazing. It was so powerful because so many kids put their heart and soul into these performances.” Baker said it was a great event that allowed teens to tell their stories in creative ways. He added, “It was a blessing to the audience who came.”
Ransom expanded on what Baker said, “Because, I think in addition to the teens getting a lot out of it and getting rewarded, I think the audience, as Matt indicated got to see some really great talent and it was an evening of entertainment. It wasn’t just a ‘Let’s go support our son or daughter’ – it was, ‘This is very enjoyable.’ It was very well done. The kids practiced. They did their homework. They did wonderfully, and it’s just a great evening all around.”
“I’m particularly proud of Ricky, Mulvey as our sports director and on air personality,” said Loveland Magazine Publisher, David Miller. “Even though Ricky has not competed for prizes, he certainly won the hearts of his audience. I still hear great things each year about how entertaining he is.” Miller said, “People still keep asking if Ricky is going to be back this year. Well I’m happy to announce, he is, and he’s very excited about the return engagement. Loveland Magazine is also a sponsor and organizer.”
Mulvey sums up the evening this way, “It’s something I’m really looking forward to. We had a much larger audition pool this year, which is nice because that means we can select the best-of-the-best to perform. It’s cliche to say the event has been getting bigger and better every year, but this holds true for the Talent Slam. More than it just getting bigger though is that it’s still holding on to its core audience. I know several kids currently in college looking forward to attending. It may seem strange that that’s happening; after all it’s all middle and high schoolers performing, but the show was just so good last year they want to come watch again. Normally you say ‘Come out and support’ for an event like this, but it’s better to say ‘Come out and be entertained’ for this particular one.”
Sophia Vance places 3rd: Moves on to international competition and will perform Saturday at the Talent Slam
Watch video highlights from first two Hold On Talent Slams…
Hold On Talent Slam 2013
2014 Hold On Talent Slam highlights
The Hold On Talent Slam is FREE and open to the public, and parking is free at the church.
Doors will open at 7 PM and the talent will be on stage at 7:30 PM.
Epiphany United Methodist is at 6635 Loveland-Miamiville Rd., Loveland, OH 45140 (Across from the Oasis Golf Center) Get Directions (http://bit.ly/1FZ1G0x)
Loveland Magazine sponsors this event
