Maricopa’s talent took the stage Saturday night, but only a handful of performers earned a return trip.
The Maricopa’s Got Talent auditions, hosted by Rancho El Dorado resident Adam Orta, at the Maricopa Community Center narrowed the field for a Sept. 12 people’s choice competition at Duke’s Roadhouse. The winners will be vying to headline the inaugural Maricopa First Friday event.
“The people will actually vote at that one, you all will vote for the winners over there,” Orta told Saturday’s audience of the upcoming finalist competition.
The Aug. 29 audition line-up included performers from youth, senior and band categories. The judging panel included Fire Chief Brad Pitassi, Mayor Nancy Smith, Haylee Nelson from Duke’s Roadhouse and David Trujillo of DT’s Comedy Show at Ak-Chin Entertainment Circle.
“Adam is passionate about growing the arts in Maricopa,” said Maricopa Friends of the Arts President Brenda Singleton.
Contemporary dancer Brinleigh Thorp opened the show, with a bendy dance number, while singer Carmen Ash warmed up the crowd with a rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Shallow” from the 2018 movie ”A Star Is Born.”
Theatrical, musical and creative acts entertained the packed crowd. In between sets, attendees milled about, perusing the art for sale in First Friday–style booths and a pop-up Mandy’s Wine Bar that offered refreshments for sale.
Seasoned performer Brian Ray played his guitar and sang James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” while Roy Orbison impersonator, Patrick Atkinson, sang “Only The Lonely” with a spot-on interpretation of Roy Orbison.
Blessing Frazier gave the crowd goosebumps with her interpretation of a Lauryn Hill song.
“I felt like you were living your moment and I was intruding on your emotions, so well done,” Smith said of Frazier’s powerful performance.
Before Dr. John Donahue and his wife May McCarthy sang, they urged their son, Levi McCarthy, to perform an off-the-cuff rap performance.
“I was asleep in the car when my mom pulled me up there. I would have done better if I’d prepared, but it was okay,” he said.
The top ten finalists included performers from across all categories. Ray, Atkinson and Michael Mears were chosen to move forward in the senior category. Frazier, Amanda Acosta and a performer named Dre also advanced in the competition.
The winning bands included Kitten Glop with Natalie Davis at the helm and Cash Dean and the Rise.
Winning duos were Kevin and Khloe Marcus, as well as Donahue and McCarthy.
The next competition is set for 5 p.m. Sept. 12 at Duke’s Roadhouse, which includes a $500 prize.
