U-46 TalentFest returns after pandemic hiatus
After a year's hiatus due to the pandemic, Elgin Area School District U-46 is bringing back TalentFest.
The performing arts competition will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets are $5 at the door or can be purchased at hemmens.org.
The TalentFest is a talent competition featuring two acts from each of the five District U-46 high schools. The two acts are chosen by judges or audience votes from the high schools' talent shows.
"We are especially excited to feature Tony Sanders, superintendent of District U-46, as our emcee this year," said Jeff Grosser, coordinator of TalentFest.
At TalentFest, all 10 acts perform in the first part. At intermission, each member of the audience votes for their favorite act. The five acts receiving the most audience votes perform again, this time also evaluated by five preselected judges. Those judges choose the first, second and third place winners. The winners receive a cash prize and a plaque. The school that has the most audience votes combined between its two acts receives the traveling TalentFest Trophy.
"The TalentFest began in 2010 during a brainstorming session at a Hemmens Advisory Board meeting," Grosser said. "We missed last year because of COVID, so this year is our 11th program."
See more on Facebook at U-46 TalentFest.