THE CENTER AND QVOLUTION PRESENT
PRIDE YOUTH TALENT SHOW AT RAIN NIGHTCLUB SEPTEMBER 5
WITH ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY PANEL OF JUDGES
Integrated workshops scheduled Aug. 29 – Sept. 4 to provide long-term skills in the business of entertainment
Amping up the annual event to an unprecedented level, The Center’s QVolution youth programs will host PYT (a Pride Youth Talent show) at Rain Nightclub on Sept. 5 from 7 – 9 p.m. hosted by Hot 97.5 personality Mia Amor and local LGBTQ socialite Johnny Espinosa. Workshops are scheduled the week leading up to PYT, helping youth hone their creative skills and gain valuable insight from working professionals at no cost.
Featuring a diverse range of talent from singers, rappers and dancers to poets, animators and filmmakers, PYT will provide local youth with the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of a distinguished panel of judges and live audience. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three acts – $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place. Youth who wish to register for the show can submit a form at www.thecenterlv.com/youthtalent now through Wednesday, Aug. 28. Registration is free and open to local youth ages 13-24.
The judges, who will also run a number of the workshops, include Emmy award-nominated animator and filmmaker Professor Ashanti Miller (Sesame Street, Space Jam, D2Comics); multi-platinum producer and musical director Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson (Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Justin Bieber, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, 50 Cent); BET theme song writer and singer Tiffany Myñon (Keyshia Cole’s “Family First,” Talib Kweli, N.E.R.D.S.); MC and producer G.L.A.M. (Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Real World DC, Tap Tap Revolution); and multi-platinum MC and multi-media CEO Nailah “Nic Nac” Lemees (Ice Cube, Pete Rock, American Music Awards).
From Aug. 29 – Sept. 4, participating youth will have the unique chance to practice their performances with the aforementioned judges and other industry talent through a variety of workshops taking place at The Center. These workshops have been designed to provide local youth with significant access to professionals in the entertainment industry and a better understanding of the business acumen it takes to succeed with their talents in the workforce. While not all workshops are mandatory to participate in PYT, all youth are encouraged to take advantage of these no-cost opportunities.
The workshop schedule is as follows:
Animators and Filmmakers
Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m.
Professor Ashanti Miller will assist all entrants in this category. Any animators and filmmakers wishing to participate in PYT must attend this workshop.
Singers
Monday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.
Tiffany Myñon will be on hand to coach all singers for the talent show. No a cappella singers will be allowed to perform. Singers must come prepared with background music on a CD, flash drive or in an MP3 format. However, this workshop is not mandatory to perform in PYT.
Songwriters
Monday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers award winner Felicia R. Jefferson (Pink, Vanessa Williams, LL Cool J) will help all songwriters hone their skills. Songwriters must attend the workshop to be entered for prize consideration.
Dancers and Thespians
Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.
A representative from Poor Richard’s Players and dancer Angeleaque Raulston will be available to assist dancers and theatrical performers. This is not a mandatory workshop.
Music Production and Technology
Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.
For those wishing to refine their music production and related music technology skills, they can participate in this workshop with Antwan Thompson. All music producers must attend this workshop to be considered for prize consideration.
Rappers and Poets
Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.
Both Nailah Lemees and G.L.A.M. will train all rappers, poets and hip hop artists in preparation for PYT. Youth are encouraged to attend this workshop, but it is not mandatory for prize consideration.
PYT will be a free, all-ages show open to the whole community. For more information on PYT, the workshops or registration, please visit www.thecenterlv.com/youthtalent.
ABOUT THE GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA
The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada is a community-based organization which supports and promotes activities directed at furthering the well-being, positive image and human rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, its allies, and low to moderate income residents in Southern Nevada.