TelCell Breakthrough competitors.
POND ISLAND--Organisers of TelCell’s annual Breakthrough talent search are looking forward to another record-breaking event as they showcase the talent on the island under the theme “#STAND.”
The event will be held at Port St. Maarten on Saturday, December 2, and arrangements are being made to cater to a large crowd. Co-organiser Angel Richardson of TelEm Group said nothing is being spared to make this year’s event the best ever, especially since Saturday’s show marks the fifth anniversary of the competition. “It is also significant that we have dropped the price of tickets to only US $5 so that more people can attend and support these talented youngsters,” Richardson said.
She said the performers continue to be full of energy. “They have been practicing and fine-tuning their acts for weeks and were very disappointed when we began speaking about cancellation of this year’s show because of the damage from Hurricane Irma.”
Richardson said it was the commitment of the youths themselves and their drive to continue with the show, especially in spite of Hurricane Irma, that inspired the show’s sponsor, TelCell to continue with the event.
Participants came up with the hashtag theme to signify the stand they are taking for their beloved island – “in this case, a stand against sitting back and being depressed, but letting loose with the fun and excitement of an entertaining show.”
Organisers thanked sponsors and well-wishers. “We have promised them that we will be sparing nothing in terms of the quality that they have come to expect from us,” co-sponsor Bertaux “Mr. Rude” Fleming said. National Institute of the Arts (NIA), which worked with the youths to polish their stage presence and further build their already bounding confidence, is also a sponsor.
At first 19 of the original 22 performers were due to perform Saturday, since three had left the island following Irma. One has since returned and will be performing, bringing the number of participants to 20. The performing categories are: vocals, musical instruments, rap, spoken word and dance (urban and technique).
Organizers said tickets will not be available at the door so fans who do not want to miss out must purchase their tickets before the show at Van Dorp in Madame Estate or from Adolphus Office Supplies on the Walter Nisbeth Road (Pondfill) in Philipsburg.
