SUMMERSIDE - The Summerside Lobster Carnival Talent Competition took on a whole new life Saturday and has sparked renewed interest in one of the festival's traditional events.
In a first for the annual competition, the three finalists included a rock band, a step dancer and beatbox-hiphop artist
The winner, Nick Kennedy of Charlottetown, was the human beatbox artist. Second was step dancer Cameron Francis and third place went to the rock group The Elevators with Logan Mahar, Ryan Gallant and Jarrett Conrad.
Kennedy has been involved with human beatboxing for about three or four years and it's something he has only done on You Tube and "practicing in the shower," he said.
The style has yet to conquer P.E.I. but Kennedy said "around the Maritimes, it's exploding pretty fast."
"It's human beatbox thing and it ties a lot with hip-hop music," Kennedy said. "It involves lots of breathing and lots and lots of practice for the coordination (of sounds and rhythms) and keeping your mouth moist is key."
It was a first for the lobster carnival but with Kennedy's success and wild reception he received from the estimated 700 in attendance it won't be the last. Kennedy said he was trying to bring the art form to the Island public.
"That's what I was trying to do," he said. "The hip-hop culture on P.E.I. is pretty lacking."
Kennedy is also involved in a group that does 'bboying,' which is similar to breakdancing which they do in Fredericton, N.B.
"There are competitions and battles in Halifax and Moncton, Newfoundland - it's everywhere. P.E.I. is the only place where there's nothing," he said.
Kennedy's on stage presentation was relaxed and he played well to the audience.
"I had a lot of fun," he said. "It's really kind of a happy of mine so I didn't take it too seriously."
Picking a winner from the 20 contests in the competition wasn't a simple matter for judges Nils Ling, Heidi Ford and Sung Ha Shin-Bouey. The showcased featured a wide variety of Island talent ranging from original musical compositions, to standard tunes, Broadway show songs and dance. After the initial competition the panel selected the three finalists who performed a second number to determine first, second and third place.
Kennedy received first prize of $750; Francis $250 and The Elevators $100.
Beatbox-hiphop artist wins Summerside talent contest
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Comments
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- Totally Disgusted
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:25:16
The judges should have done a better job if their qualifications were any indication of their ability. One judge was a classically trained singer/musician, the other was in change of theatre/dance at the Jubilee and the other...not sure what a story teller knows about talent but the end result was a total slap in the face to the other 19 entries. After one number, the beatbox was pretty tiring. Yes, he had to practice plenty to make a noise with his mouth but so did the boy who has practiced dance for the past ten years or the singers who have had voice training for half their lives? The talent on that stage last night was amazing. The judging was a total sham. People left the theatre shaking their heads. One would have to wonder if these performers would ever lower their standards to enter this competition again.
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- Sarah
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:24:03
Whether or not it is a talant you personally enjoy doesn't really matter. The fact is, it is a talent. I didn't see the show, so I don't know if he was deserving of the top prize or not, but he came in with something unique, performed well, and won fair and square. As far as what a story teller knows about talent-I'm sure a story teller can choose what they like and don't like as well as the next person. What do YOU know about talent? What qualifications do YOU have to judge who should or should not have won?
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- JJ
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:22:58
I attended the show. Kudos to Tina Mundy and her group for putting on a class act. I have learned long and ever ago that the judges decision is final whether we agree with it or not and I expect anyone entering the competition is well aware of that.
What appeals to the judges may not appeal to others but I can tell you that the under 25 year olds in attendance (and that would be about 75%) loved the beatbox guy. I was impressed with his ease on stage and the connection he made with the audience. Would I have picked him to come out on top? No, but my opinion doesn't count. -
- Hilda
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:19:09
I was at the show and picked my choice for top five.The 3 winners were iny top 5.Not in that order but there.I have no talent and am close to 60 but I know what I like and left satisfied with the choices
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- Sam
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:18:48
Totally disgusted....wow that is very harsh. I was at the show with my 80 year old mother and 16 year daughter. We picked the top three as well. To say that you were disgusted, is terrible. The talent that was there that night was nothing short of amazing. Any of them could have won. And to short change the winner and say you were disgusted!!! I just can't believe it. He was very brave to get up there and to share his art with us and just because you don't agree to knock him down is such a shame. You should be ashamed of yourself. I don't know what exit you left by but I only saw one exit and everyone who was leaving when I left and everyone who lingered in the lobby after were in awe of the evening. Everyone was in agreement that any of the contestants could have won and many were pleased with the young gentleman that did win. These talent competitions are usually painful. You have one or two that are good and the others well you sit and smile and applaud them none the less. Saturday night however was first class all the way. I would have easily paid $20.00 to be entertained like I was. I would have been happy no matter who won as they were all amazing. Hat's off to the organizers, I wish we had that kind of dedication and leadership where I come from in Ontario. So shame on you Totally disgusted your comments have left me totally disgusted Keep up the good work Lobster Carnival Talent organizers, I will be sure to bring my family back next year to see the showcase!!
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- Kayla
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:53:24
As a contestant in the Lobster Carnival Talent Showcase, allow me to give my two-cents worth:
This is my fifth year competing in the Lobster Carnival, and I have never enjoyed myself more. Tina Mundy deserves so much recognition for the amount of work she put into this production. Not only did she help select 20 of the most talented youth that the Maritimes have to offer, but she went above and beyond; Katarina's Bridal Boutique allowed for the contestants to use their gowns and suits; Mary Kay cosmetics provided make-up for the female contestants; Kenny Driscoll at High Design Multimedia Promotions provided our photos for advertisements and video-taped our auditions and our performances. In comparison to any other year I've competed, where the dress is casual and you have a houseband to perform your songs (mainly country), this event was pure quality. I'm a piano player, as well as a singer, and it is not very often that I am given the opportunity to showcase BOTH of those talents at the same time. To be given the chance to do so, I am beyond grateful.
The amount of talent at the show was incredible. I can't even imagine how difficult the decision must have been for the judges. I had a hard time picking a Top 10, let alone a Top 3. Every single one of these performers were outstanding. The wonderful thing about music, is that it's always changing, and despite the conflicts of personal taste from audience members, the showcase was designed to give all contestants a fair shot, regardless of what their talent was. Each contestant was judged on 3 categories: Talent (45points), Performance/Audience Interaction (35points), and Appearance (20points). There's no denying that all of the contestants have talent, but the contestants who placed top 3 entertained the audience better than anyone that night, and they definitely deserve the place they got.
I would be honored to lower my standards by entering this competition next year. It's not often that I am given the chance to perform, let alone be given the chance to be surrounded by incredibly talented youth. I couldn't be more proud of all the contestants, and I look forward to seeing them in events to come. -
- Country Fan
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:42:11
All the contestants were really talented, but isn't this going to discourage good singers from even entering again ?
