Talented Youngsters Given Stage to Shine

MTV’s funny man, Kat, will host the Talent 2011 final at the New Bingley Hall in Hockley on 30th September.

Around 30 young hopefuls will compete for the winning title in categories including dance, singing, fashion design, rap and modelling.

Months of preparation, master classes and workshops will culminate in a dazzling showdown in front of some of the UK’s fashion, music and dance industries’ most prominent experts.

The show, which runs from 6pm until 10.30pm, is expecting to pull in an audience of around 2,000.

Hopefuls have been competing in heats held at the Midlands Arts Centre in Cannon Hill Park earlier this year.

Prizes for the finalists include an internship with Fashion Mogul Zandra Rhodes, studio time at Birmingham’s Ace Dance, a feature in Flavour magazine, a performance at the Clothes Show Live, production of a promo video, a free three-track demo by Evolution Studios and much more.

Aspire 4 U, a Community Interest Company, runs the show annually as part of its acclaimed National Lottery funded project ‘Talent’.

Judges on the night will include 1 Xtra founder Ray Paul, Justice Williams MBE and choreographer to the stars, Del Mak, who has worked alongside Beyonce and La Roux.

Aspire 4 U Director and Founder, Daniella Genas, said: “The showcase is a platform for finalists to present their hard work and efforts to the public, who help us decide who has the ‘Talent’ to compete in the UK showbiz scene.”

“Disadvantaged youths need opportunity, and as a Community Interest Company, we place disengaged youth at the heart of our agenda,” added Daniella.

Now in its sixth year, the Talent project has received three years of development funding from the National Lottery and continues to work with young people across the Midlands.

Ifzaal Hussain, who is competing in the dance category of Talent 2011, said: “I am glad to be given the chance to perform at such an amazing venue. I am training really hard for the final and hope to win the competition: second place is not an option.

“I hope to gain recognition and some professional work from this project, and also to get my name out there as an up and coming dance artist. I love working with Aspires’ Talent team and feel blessed to be among them,” added Ifzaal.

The Talent project aims to raise young peoples’ aspirations by offering them professional training, a free online portfolio and the opportunity to showcase their talents in public. It is hoped this will lead to increased employability and industry knowledge.