Arts Council Menifee will host its annual Menifee’s Got Talent variety show once again. On May 5, more than 20 acts will take the stage at Liberty High School to entertain the audience. The last live show was presented in 2019 due to pandemic restrictions in subsequent years.
The performers were chosen from about 40 hopefuls who were given the choice to audition in person at the Antelope-Menifee Rural Center on March 25 or submit a video online. Those selected offer variety with a capital V as singers encompass many genres from country to jazz and opera and range in age from 10 to 80-plus. A rock group will get the crowd pumped up and dancers and musicians will have them tapping their feet and swaying to the sounds.
Alphabetically, the performers are, Hannah Butler, Aryana Campos, Raymond Carpenter, Benjamin Cooper, David Davis, Emanuel Esparza, Abishay Forys, Lorena Hancock and Ballet Folklorico of Menifee, Jasmine Iliescu, Richard Ketcham, Grace Kyte and her rock band, Joseph Luna Jr., David Mallory, Angela Mona, Daniella Moroz, Gabby Nicole, Christine Park, DeAndre Pullen, J.R. Ramos, Alicia Rinaldi, Aaron James Schaffer, Barbara Shawcroft and Audrey Woisin.
When it was first launched by the nonprofit in 2013, Menifee’s Got Talent was a competition, similar to the popular reality television shows. Current ACM President Colleen Ackerman said she initiated the change to a non-competitive variety show to more closely match the organization’s mission of “bringing the arts to Menifee and local artists to the public.”
“I felt it was important to provide a place where people of all ages could showcase their unique talents,” she said. “And this is a great night out for families to come and enjoy some good, clean and fun entertainment.”
Several past MGT performers have gone on to have successful professional careers, including Chelsea Snow, Angela Mona and AnAhi Garcia-Rodriguez. Mona, now 22, will be singing at this year’s event.
Ackerman said she called on some trusted and good-hearted friends to help out with this year’s judging. Joining her were Bill Ackerman, Nicole Farrell, Johnathan Greenberg and Larry Sichter. Assisting with check-in and logistics for the onsite auditions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. were Gina Guilkey, Lucille Harrington and Lori Reese.
Ackerman said she felt those who auditioned online might be at a disadvantage if the sound quality was not up to par. She prefers to see in-person performers to judge their stage presence as well as their talent. Each act was rated with a score from 1 to 5 for presentation, quality, pitch (if applicable) and overall quality of performance.
“They were asked to perform the selection they would do at the show so we know what to expect and can plan the flow of the program,” Ackerman said.
Ray Carpenter, 82, sang the Willie Nelson classic, “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.” He accompanied himself on guitar, which he has been playing since he was 14. For a requested encore, he sang the Webb Pierce standard, “Drifting Texas Sand” to another standing ovation by the judges.
Judge Nicole Farrell, a French vocalist who also has an entertainment business specializing in karaoke, said she likes holding auditions because she feels that everyone needs a chance. She feels that online submissions are hard to judge because even though the person is probably more relaxed at home, the eye contact is not there.
Farrell was the first MGT winner in 2013 when it was still a competition-based show. She said, “My heart has always been with MGT. I don’t want to compete, but I like to volunteer.”
Judge Larry Sichter is a stage actor who spent many years in the television production and management industry. He said with the Menifee’s Got Talent show, variety is key. “We’re interested in people that want to get into this business, that want to get the experience of doing this in front of people. I’m proud to help people find this artistic path,” he said. “Because it’s non-competitive, the performers aren’t stressed out. It’s about entertaining; you have to think of the audience.”
Sichter added, “I prefer in-person auditions because you can get their backstory, but online is fine. I don’t mind if they audition that way as long as there are no barriers with lighting and sound so they can really show their true talent. Either way, we welcome anyone that wants to try out; this is a no judgment zone.”
Menifee Mayor Bill Zimmerman, a longtime supporter of Arts Council Menifee who oversaw MGT in its earliest years, said, “This is one of my favorite annual events and I’m pleased to see it happening again this year. For some, especially the younger performers, it is their first time on stage in front of a live audience. I’m grateful for Arts Council Menifee and the team effort to put on such a wonderful show.”
Menifee’s Got Talent will take place on May 5 from 7-9:30 p.m. at Liberty High School, 32255 Leon Road, Winchester. There are several ticket options available. Online presale tickets available now are discounted at $8 for adults, $5 for students with ID and for seniors 62-plus, and $25 for a family pack which covers two adults plus two children aged 6-17 from the same family. All children under 5 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door for a slightly higher amount. For more information, www.artscouncilmenifee.org or 951-290-2781.
Arts Council Menifee is also preparing for its 11th annual Menifee Arts Showcase on April 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Menifee Countryside Marketplace, I-215 and Newport Road. The free event features an “Art Walk” along the storefronts at the retail center where local artists display and sell their artwork. Live performances will be offered at three sound stages.
