Middle Tennessee State University’s Astronomy Club will help honor the memory of a local philanthropist by participating in a talent showcase this Saturday, Sept. 29, at Patterson Park Community Center Theater.
Generation for Creation, a local nonprofit that promotes visual and performing arts among area youth, is hosting its 16thannual talent contest, dubbed the “Out of this World Talent Search” this year. The event is being held in memory of Dr. George Smith, a local physician, artist and philanthropist who supported the nonprofit over the years and passed away earlier this year.
As part of the family-friendly event, visitors can explore an inflatable solar system planetarium that will be set up by MTSU’s Astronomy Club, according to Monica Sharee Spencer, founder and director of Generation for Creation, in a news release.
The student-led club will erect the darkened inflatable dome where participants can enter and view computer-generated images of stars and planets.
Youth ages 7-17 who completed auditions will then showcase their talents beginning at 4 p.m. in the theater. The youth auditioned in the categories of drama, singing, art, dance, modeling and instrumental performance.
Prizes include first-, second-, and third-place trophies in each category. A cash award will be given to top talent.
Admission is free for children, students and seniors and $10 for adults. The event is sponsored by local businesses and sponsors Tennessee Arts Commission, city of Murfreesboro and Sharing Change, the charitable foundation for the Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp.
Special guest performances will feature multiple Grammy Award-winning country artist Linda Davis, who will also provide a mini-workshop to the selected contestants.
Columbia, Tennessee, native Lynnette Cole, the first Miss USA from Tennessee, will be the mistress of ceremonies and is joined by co-host and little brother Braxton Cole.
Smith, a long-time supporter of Generation for Creation, was not only a physician and founder of Family Health Associates, but also a visual artist known for his philanthropy and love for people of all ages “who is greatly missed by the community,” Spencer noted.
He received the Helping Hands Award from Generation for Creation in 2017.
"Each year my spirit is renewed knowing that Generation for Creation exists, giving children a place to encourage, develop, create and express their talents,” Lynnette Cole said in the release. “Sometimes we all need to remember our dreams as a child and aspire to be everything we want to be."
Jonny Nelson is the reigning overall winner of 2017 Talent Contest. He started dancing with CAT Choreography at a young age and has grown to choreograph his own dances and tour around the country. Nelson has participated in Generation for Creation talent contests since 2008.
Former winners of the Generation for Creation talent contests who went on to establish professional careers include: two former “American Idol” contestants Colton Dixon, a Christian pop artist signed by Sparrow/19 who released a new album, “Identity”; and Schyler Dixon, an independent artist; and, Capitol Records artist and MTSU alumnus Dylan Phillips, a Christian hip-hop artist who performs as nobigdyl. and recently released an album, “SOLAR.”
Ticket reservation and purchase are available on the organization’s website, www.gfckidz.org. For more information, contact Spencer at 615-890-7116 or email gfckids@yahoo.com.
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