Arts opportunities abound in January at the Averitt Center for the Arts.
Be Statesboro’s newest singing sensation by competing in the second annual Statesboro Voice competition. From now until February 22, the Averitt Center will be accepting two-minute videos from local and area singers to begin the process of finding the next Statesboro Voice.
Soprano, alto, tenor, bass? Gospel, pop, rock, soul, country? It doesn’t matter! Just video yourself (or have someone do it for you) singing your favorite song and check the Averitt Center website at averittcenterforthearts.org for directions on how to upload your video and begin your journey toward stardom. There is a $10 submission fee and you must be at least 16 years old to enter.
After the Feb. 22 entry deadline, 20 contestants will be chosen to compete in the live semi-final competition in March on the Jan Brown Anderson stage of the Emma Kelly Theater. During the semifinals, four professional singers will choose their two favorite performers to continue to the final competition. For the next month, the four pros will mentor the eight finalists for their chance to win up to $1,500 in cash prizes during the grand finale on April 27.
The Statesboro Voice is a fundraiser for the Averitt Center’s Creative Growth Capital Campaign and is sponsored by Lanier, Deal and Proctor, Statesboro STEAM, Renasant Bank and Servpro of Statesboro.
Another opportunity for local musicians is the second installment of the Rising Creek Music Series.
Following the success of the inaugural concert last September, the Averitt Center is planning its second show on March 1 in the Emma Kelly Theater. Expectations are high that this will become a staple event for those who love and support the local music scene.
The deadline for submissions is Jan. 11 so please submit a digital press kit, music samples and other information to Brandi Harvey at [email protected] for consideration.
The Rising Creek Music Series is a co-production between the Averitt Center and B Harvey Music. The venture helps provide local and area songwriters the opportunity to help them network, expand their fan base and find new ways to express their creativity. Rising Creek Music Series strong supports artists working in a variety of genres to give audiences out-of-the-ordinary experiences.
Other arts opportunities in January include the 10th anniversary of the Averitt STARS production of Driving Miss Daisy on January 18-20 in the Emma Kelly Theater. Veteran performers Carol Thompson, Mical Whitaker and Alan Tyson reprise their roles as Daisy Werthan, Hoke Colburn and Boolie Werthan.
On Jan. 22, comedians Collin Moulton and Zoltan Kaszas bring their zany Barefoot Comedy show to the Whitaker Black Box Theater. Moulton, who has been touring the country for 15 years, lives in Savannah and has been featured on Showtime and Laugh on FOX. Hungarian-born Kaszas has been performing since he was 19 years old and is a recent winner of the Seattle International Comedy Festival, the San Diego Comedy Festival and the San Diego Funniest Person Contest.
On Jan. 26, 15 local and area bands from “back in the day” will take turns performing on the Emma Kelly stage for the much-anticipated Incense and Peppermints retro band show, which is the brainchild of local music legend Jerry Roberson. Featured bands include Fifth Crusade, Gary Barnes, Danny Carter and Yesterday’s Sunshine, Phaedra and Critical Mass.
Tickets for all shows are on sales and can be purchased in the Box Office at the Averitt Center Main Gallery or on-line at averittcenterforthearts.org/performances-events.
