Writers sought to pen special song

NSPE has opportunity to help mark 70th anniversary celebrations

Area songwriters and performers are being sought to help provide a little extra pizazz to this year’s Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition (NSPE).

“Given that it’s our 70th anniversary celebration, as part of our opening ceremonies we’re looking to have an official exhibition song written,” said Tanya Colburne, of Langille & Colburne – More than Events, the company hired by the NSPE to coordinate this year’s activities.

The winning songwriter will win $500 and will be required to perform during the Ex’s opening celebrations on Aug. 22.

The only technical requirement is that the song not be more than three minutes long.

“We’re hoping that it will be a song that really exudes the excitement of the exhibition over the last 70 years or, just the exhibition in general, and really provides a good feel of what the exhibition is all about and why it’s such an important community event,” Colburne said.

Also, by “popular demand,” organizers are bringing back the talent show, she said, adding that all talents, all ages and all categories – including vocal acts, theatre, comedy, magic, circus acts – are welcome to audition for that show.

The winner of the talent show, which will be judged, will receive $1,000, with $500 going to the runner-up and $250 for the third-place finisher.

Video submissions, which must be emailed, are required for the talent show while video or audio submissions will ne accepted for the songwriter contest,

Deadline for entries is Aug. 10 at 5 p.m. Finalists in each category are to be notified no later than Aug. 17.

Rules and regulations for both contests are to be posted on the NSPE website.

For more information, Colburne can be reached at: tanya@ morethanevents.ca.