GT&T said nine persons have been chosen from a group of over 30 who auditioned on the Essequibo Coast recently for its Jingle and Song contest.
The Georgetown segment is being held at the Theatre Guild.
Auditions in both English and Bollywood segments were held at the Arabian Atlantic Hotel, before a judges’ panel comprising Gordon Moseley, Charmaine Blackman, Feliz Robertson and Sean Bhola, a press release said.
According to the release, Annece Hicks, a finalist in the 2009 contest, numbered among those who gave creditable performances and a total of nine persons made it to the next round in the English segment. Fourteen-year-old Ravin Netram of Reliance and 44-year-old Shamdai Singh progressed to the next round of competition in the Bollywood segment of the contest.
On Wednesday, auditions in Linden got off to “a carnival-like start” at Barrow’s Restaurant and Lounge. “Over 60 contestants turned up to audition and were singing and dancing and congratulating those who made it through to the next round,” the release said. The excitement increased when the reigning winner, Lindener Malika Boyd appeared on the scene. She was greeted by many fans, gave her blessings to all and, to the audience’s delight, launched into one of her favourite tunes.
Thirty-two contestants from the mining town made it through to the next round, including calypsonian Diana Chapman, seasoned calypsonian ‘The Professor’, semi-finalist from the previous contest Kevon Lorrimer, talented 13-year-old Josephine Mitchell and visually impaired 23-year-old Teshaun Rodney, the GT&T said. Emotions ran high and two of the youngest hopefuls wept when they were not selected.
The competition was launched on September 15.
