SanTan
January 2014
FAMILY FUN
5
Annual teen talent show set for Jan. 10 By Tracy House
The public is invited to experience the talents of teens from Chandler and around the Valley as Chandler Center for the Arts hosts the 10th annual Teen Talent Competition, 6 to 9 p.m. Fri., Jan. 10, presented by the city. Manuel Padia, one of three recreation teen coordinators at Tumbleweed Recreation Center, and his team are making the arrangements for producing the show. This is Padia’s first year running the talent show, a long-standing tradition in Chandler. “I think it’s always good to establish a program and then have it be successful on an annual basis,” says Padia. “The community looks for those kinds of things.” The talent competition is for teens ages 12 to 17, focusing on sixth graders to high school seniors. Last year 24 kids participated in the show and Padia anticipates that many or more for this year’s talent show. Teens had to register and audition for the show. Acts include vocals, bands, dancing and instrumental sections. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., is providing the venue for the show, which is open to the public. “We definitely invite folks to come on out and support our teens here in town and watch a great show,” Padia says. Admission is $5 for the two- to three-hour show. Money from admission covers the cost of producing the show and will be used to support future activities and offset other costs associated with the teen program. While Padia is directing, he says the Chandler Center for the Arts has been wonderful to work with and have helped
with the production. The facility has been donated at no cost. This year’s judges include Tyler Severance, world and national yo-yo champion, recording artist Sya (Sara Ramos) and Joe Zazueta, a producer for Cox Channel 7. These are all first-time judges, Padia comments. “We’re trying to mix it up and bring some different folks there.” He’s hoping that some of them may even perform during intermission. Padia mentions that some of the acts have been in the show four years. There is a first place and runner-up cash prize for each talent category. He says there are teens from all over the Valley participating in the show, not just from Chandler. In addition to the teen talent show, Padia says there have been a lot of bands interested in playing and the teen program has created a Battle of the Bands competition coming up 6 to 9 p.m., Fri., Mar. 14. “This will be the inaugural year.” He mentions it will be held at the TRC and is open to bands in and around Chandler. Ashley Swail will be coordinating the band competition which is looking for eight bands. “We’re really trying to rebuild the teen program, and grow and offer some new things,” Padia mentions. When Padia started with the teen program kids were surveyed to see what they really wanted out of a teen program. There are several teen classes specific to the feedback received. They include skateboarding, build your own board, Mix masters, video gaming history and music. ”We’re trying to find out and talk to the kids and see what’s of interest to
Beginner through advanced lessons for all ages. Lesson horses available.
them,” Padia explains. “In doing the survey, music was something that popped up and so we wanted to go that way and incorporate activities to have that music element involved.” Instead of teens just hanging out, Padia says the staff wants to incorporate some strategies to get the kids involved to get more out of the experience and offer broader classes. Upcoming events include a Super Bowl party, drop-in events and more for teens to enjoy and engage. For more information about the talent competition or teen programs contact Padia at 480-782-2746 or email manuel.padia@chandleraz.gov. Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.