Talent takes the stage in contest for a cause

Proceeds from the Sunday show will help people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 14, 2000

Seventeen singers, dancers and groups will vie for $1,100 in prizes Sunday in the eighth annual Alzheimer's Family Organization's "Reaching for the Stars" talent contest.

Among the performers are the Down South Cloggers, an eight-member team from Hudson, ballerina Kimberly Kerrigan and flamenco dancer Pollyanna Hayes.

Polynesian dancers Pomaika'i Nash, Ieana Lambert and Kamomi Jacob will dance to Kalakaua Halinoa. Returning to the contest is two-time winner Mikki Taylor, who will sing the opera aria O'Mio Bibbio Cara.

"The proceeds from the show will help individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers in the Central Florida area," said Kathy Montero, publicist for the organization. Past shows have raised thousands of dollars for the association and its members.

The competition started in March, when several acts auditioned for the preliminary judges. Chosen in the 13-and-younger division were singer-dancer Samara Williams, dancer Alexandra Kreger, singer Allison Caffrey and dancer Shannon Stash. Williams will join Christopher McKimm to do a song and dance to a Disney medley.

Five of the six acts in the 14-to-18 age category are dancers or groups of dancers: Mary-Ann's School of Dance, Platinum, Jillian Michaels, Regina Palazzolo and Kerrigan. Taylor is the sixth competitor in that age bracket.

Besides the cloggers, others in the 19-and-older division are comics Lisa Beason and Terri Haffner, singer Tim McGuigan, singer-dancers One Short of a Six Pack, the Polynesian dancers and Ms. Hayes.

First-place winners in each category will receive $200 savings bonds. Second place gets $100, and third gets $50.

The show is at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre. Master of ceremonies is Palace artistic director Jimmy Ferraro.

At a glance

• WHAT: The Alzheimer's Family Organization's "Reaching for the Stars" talent contest

• WHERE: Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson

• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Doors open at 7 p.m.

• TICKETS: $10, $12 and $15. Call (727) 848-8888 in west Pasco; or toll-free (888) 496-8004 elsewhere. Tickets also available at the office at the Claude Pepper Senior Center, 6640 Van Buren St., New Port Richey, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.