A Starry Starry Night....(aka "A Small Town Talent Show")

You haven’t lived until you’ve attended a small town talent show… and by small, I mean minuscule.  Many words could describe it (and will, below... LOL)... but the one most often used is "entertaining"... in every way imaginable.  From the practice sessions, to the amusements of "Dress Rehearsal" to the event itself.  I loved every minute of it.

 

Rural areas are often stereotyped by those who’ve spent little or no time there.  But, we who abide in these tiny abode’s, know that we have a wide and varied population. And, while some may fit neatly into their stereotypical holes, others defy any attempt at shoving them in any hole or corner – let alone a “normal” one.

At the recent Talent Show in Halfway, we were reminded - again - of why we chose to return to this tiny hamlet in NE Oregon.  The talent show is as varied as the characters that may attend… While such events in larger ‘burbs may have lots of talent to choose from, and therefore all acts are expected to meet certain criteria, in a town of 350 (but a “strong 1500 with outlying areas” as I recently heard someone put it) you take what you can get.  But, there are a surprising number of gems… We heard several times, in a surprised and surprisingly loud whisper "Did you know he could do that?".

The show was kicked off by a with a lovely and simple song that evoked fond memories in nearly everyone present, when Bill Schule played guitar and sang "Grandma's Feather Bed". (Sorry it's sideways... ) AND... I apologize for the short videos... I should have taken much longer ones of those that I recorded.. they were so GOOD!

The school music teacher, Mr. Kumar, performed "Taking Flight" with as much talent, emotion and finesse as you may expect from a much bigger name in a much bigger venue.




Perhaps the most impressive performance of the night, for me, was the original song "Little Hands" written & performed by Natalia Tubbs.  The song was beautiful, the performance excellent, but what we struck me was that she was able to perform such an emotional and bittersweet remembrance of the child she'd lost.







Other wonderful songs and performances by the adults included "The Fox" by Bill Binford (a popular act that he brings every year), and "A Song for This Life" by John Garrigus (who rose to the challenge of following 3 wonderful little dancers who were admittedly all very cute, energetic and enthusiastic).  Tom Warmath brought poetry to the night with his recitation of "Paul Revere's Ride" by Longfellow (how does ANYONE remember that long of a poem?? - GREAT job Tom!!)

There were many amazingly talented kids in the show as well.  Piano Solo's by Grace David ("Sonatina in G Major"), Joseph Aguilar ("Ave Maria"), Bryce Ranson ("Theme from Gypsy Rondo"), and Haley Webster ("Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again").  I am always especially impressed with these young pianists because they are SO good - which I know because I am SO bad - even after many, many lessons.  And, these young pianists - and the other acts - showed a certain level of courage in my opinion.... it takes great courage to perform & get up in front of people... I can barely stand letting people read my blog - let alone sing or play an instrument for them!!  (I don't have any pictures of these as the piano was in too dark a location and too far from my seat).

Young singers also showed their varied musical talents.  The sweet rendition of "You are My Sunshine" accompanied with their Ukelele's was a great mix of adult and youth by Cassie Morrisey and Jadzia Steele, as was "To Make you Feel His Love" by Easton Letchworth and Ron Neal. 

Easton also did a nice cover of "House of the Rising Son" with Cohen Simpson.

"Lost Boy" by Merica Simpson had truly captivating moments (and accompanied on piano by her older brother Hunter who was absolutely AMAZING as an accompanist - that's not easy to do, btw!);

"Once Upon a December" by Nyla Johnson was very well done and performed with a level of sophistication not often seen in such a young girl.

And, "Candle on the water" by Miriam Tubbs (accompanied by Mom, Natalia) - all were exceptionally well chosen songs for the singer, all were performed with emotion and grace.

We may be a little prejudiced as she's the daughter of some great friends, but our favorite young singer was Hannah Gotzman and her interpretation of "Traveling Soldier".  Even though she's only been playing guitar 8 months, she was able to accompany herself perfectly, while still evoking feelings of young love, and loss.  We believe she has a true gift and could go far with it.



A number of groups also performed.  The Eagle Valley Sparklers displayed their line dancing chops,

while The Rag Tags (the group Jeff was part of) did "Rocky Top" and "Blowing Bubbles".  (The musicians ended up not wearing the hats I'd mentioned to some of you, so I'm posting a pic of Jeff from a practice session when he had it on).

 

The best group, however, was The Outbreakers - a very young dance troupe in very sparkly gold dresses who performed to "Forget You".  I mentioned that I would like to join them next year in a gold sparkly dress & dance with them... but I don't think any of  them were impressed......

(Sophia Johnson, Kate Bennett and Makenna Bilbrey)

The show was wrapped up with "Love Me or Leave Me" by June McKenzie, Vicki Johnson and Terry Beyer followed by Paparazzi with their smooth jazz "Brucellosis Con Salsa".

And.. probably the best VOICE of the night was MC Rob Crawford, who led the crowd in a final "Good Night" with a stellar (pun intended) baritone.

 

After all of the fun and enjoyment from this wonderful small town talent show, after the money raised for the Pine Eagle Education Foundation, after the tasty treats eaten post-show... the most important part of the evening was not any of these.  It was the intangibles that count.

The self-confidence gained by the young performers will serve them their whole life.  In many areas, the nervousness or fear is too great, but in our little town, everyone is a neighbor.  You may not know them well, but you recognize them - you know they are there to support you.  This allows these kids to build skills that will stand them in good stead as they spread their wings and fly out into the larger world.

Stronger bonds between neighbors.  You can't help but recognize your neighbors here but you don't often get to actually KNOW them.  We all have impressions of people based on those surface glances - but when you see them on stage, playing an instrument and singing a song with a depth of emotion (and TALENT) that you would never have guessed - it turns them into more than someone you recognize.  Now, there's depth, there's a shared event... they become a PERSON.  Emotion is engaged, not just intellect.

And... Stronger bonds for the community.  I was struck by the intimacy of the event.  The organizer(s) (who had a big task and did an admirable job of it, btw) had posted signs noting proper Theater Etiquette.  (I joked that they were trying to "eddicate us rubes", but the fact is that I love that they are bringing some form of culture to our tiny corner.)  One of the etiquette notes was to not whistle... you should yell "Bravo" or "Brava".  While this (and the other guidelines) are all true... it's hard to rein in a community that is there to support, not just one or two performers, but ALL of them.  How do you NOT yell and shout and whistle when that old rancher gets up & makes you tear up with his song?  Or when the little girl so seriously focuses on her ukelele and her song?  Or, when half the town is up on stage in one group bringing some levity to the proceedings?

These acts, and these activities, are just bigger examples of what community is about - Support. Fun.  Camaraderie.  And THOSE are the real benefits of our small town Talent Show.  And.. the reason we came back.