By Khalida Sarwari
Some of the most talented Saratogans will gather at McAfee Center next month to show off their singing, acting, dancing and stand-up skills at an event that’s sure to remind some of the popular America’s Got Talent show. There might even be an aspiring magician or two in the mix.
Saratoga’s Got Talent, now in its second year, will once again be put on by local nonprofit Saratoga Cares Foundation. Last year, the event drew about 300 people and raised about $18,000 for the Saratoga Senior Center. This year, the Saratoga Cares Foundation has much loftier goals, said its founder Rishi Kumar. He expects double the attendance and generate at least $50,000 in proceeds.
“It is going to be bigger and better than 2012,” Kumar said. “The quality of contestants signed up is just incredible. We have a Bay Area celebrity stand-up comedian coming in to anchor this show. We even have a world famous musician/singer lined up to be one of the judges. This show is going to be beyond spectacular.”
The recipient of the proceeds this year will be the Saratoga Education Foundation, which supports science, physical education, computer instruction, library, music and art programs at Argonaut, Foothill and Saratoga elementary schools, as well as Redwood Middle School. Depending upon the success of the event, some funds may be allocated to the senior center and other Saratoga-based entities, Kumar said.
Judges will award first, second and third prizes for the most talented competitors in the 5-12 and the 13-and-over age groups. Contestants will also have a chance at winning two other categories: a judge’s singing award and new this year, an audience choice award, which will be selected via online voting. First prize is $2,500.
The contest is open to everyone, whether they live in Saratoga or not, said Kumar, and the top 20 finalists in South Bay Teen Idol have been invited to compete.
The show is “your opportunity to become really visible to the judges, and it might open up to other opportunities,” he added.
As of early May, about 25 people had signed up to compete in the show. Kumar said the line-up would be capped at 50. Aside from the talent showcase, the event will also feature entertainment segments and food trucks.
Performers include Grace Peng’s West Valley College Syncronicity; Tarini Ullal, niece of the late city council member Susie Nagpal; Raffy Espiritu, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur who has composed and released many albums; Karnamrita Dasi, a musician and Kirtanist; Richard Adoradio, a local talent who runs Blue Rock Shoots weekly open mic; and Kumar and his wife Seema, who will perform a high-energy Bollywood song and dance routine.
The show will be broadcast in three segments on KSAR-TV and CreaTV within a week of the event and will include behind-the-scenes features, such as interviews with the contestants. The program will culminate with the announcement of the winners, which will be kept a secret until the show airs. The event will also be webcast live on the Saratoga’s Got Talent website.
The Saratoga Cares Foundation was created in 2010 to honor Nagpal’s compassionate, caring spirit. The organization began by holding singing competitions on a small scale at Blue Rock Shoot on Big Basin Way, and out of that grew the talent show. The winners of last year’s contest donated their prize money of $1,000 to the senior center and will be back to compete again this year, according to Kumar.
The panel of judges includes Saratoga Union School District superintendent Lane Weiss; Vickie Wyant, a retired Redwood Middle School music director; Jon Jow, music director at Redwood Middle School; Keith Banks, a dance director at Studio 10 Dance; San Jose City Councilman Ash Kalra; and state Sen. Jim Beall.
“Saratoga’s Got Talent is a wonderful showcase for the city’s gifted singers, dancers and musicians,” Beall said. “And to top it off, the show directly benefits local schools, charitable organizations and causes. It’s a singular event that captures the spirit of Saratoga.”
The show will be held June 14, 5 to 10 p.m., at the McAfee Center, 20300 Herriman Ave., Saratoga. Tickets are $21 through May 31; the price will increase after June 1. To sign up as a contestant or to purchase tickets for the show, visit saratogatalent.com. For information about the Saratoga Cares Foundation, visit saratogacares.org.
