Top ultimate performer chosen
THE grand finale of the Ultimate Performer 2015 talent competition was held at the Guild Theatre on Sunday after a keenly contested semifinal round at Legends Showcase on Saturday.
It was a speedy race from the preliminaries at Vincent Park on October 17 and 18, when judges saw incredible singers, dancers, dance squads, actors and models competing for a place in the semis.
“One hundred different performers or groups pulled out all the stops and attracted large audiences in Vincent Park where they watched the performers show off their talents in the 140 items entered.
“Top-scoring performers from King William’s Town and East London were chosen to compete in the semifinals at Legends on Saturday, and the best items took part in an exciting, vibrant and exuberant finale at the Guild on Sunday,” Perform- ance Platform committee member Anne McLaren said.
Performance Platform is the company which organised the event.
The wide variety of performers included freestyle dancers, singing soloists and groups, dance squads, models and marimba bands.
McLaren called it “an unforgettable show of Buffalo City talent”.
The evening included performances from schools such as Kingsridge High School and De Vos Malan from King William’s Town, and Gonubie Primary and Merrifield from East London.
The panel of adjudicators included Leonie Armour, Jacques du Plessis, Sheree O’Brien, Sue Zwicky, Hayley Hartley, Linda Warner, Nathan Johanissen, Jen Bryson-Moorcroft and Cindy Bester.
Francois de Jonge and Maggie Connor were also present and selected special award prize winners for best costume and overall look. The winners were:
Junior ultimate performer – Lhea Heyns (Clarendon Primary) for her singing item When you Believe;
Senior ultimate performer – Robin Castle and Tonya Jacobs (Stirling High) singing duet Say Something;
Open ultimate performer – Chace Collett (Merrifield) and Ashley Behrens dance duet Velocity ;
Small group winner – Dance Addiction Rule the World;
Large group winner – Jo Jackson Dance Company Zombie.
The Overall Ultimate Performer prize went to singing duet Castle and Jacobs.
They won R2 000 from Vincent Park, a tablet and powerbank from Mytech, Beauty Clinic back and neck massage voucher, R500 Shannon Bright Photography voucher, R200 Jean Paul Photography voucher, R500 Mugg and Bean voucher, R500 Joley’s shoes voucher, Seasons Find meal for four, R200 voucher from Explain and ac- commodation for two at Devereaux Lodge including breakfast.
They were also awarded a floating trophy donated by Maggie Connor in memory of her husband, Wally Connor.