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 by
Jacqueline Monahan
jaxn8r@msn.com
Kids for Kids Talent Show benefits Children’s Hunger Fund
On Saturday morning, March 24, David Saxe Productions, in association
with Keri McKee and USANA Health Sciences presented the Kids for Kids
Talent Show. Nineteen talented kids, three handsome judges and an
audience of proud parents and well-wishers filled the V Theater in the
Dessert Passage Mall at the Aladdin. Guests were treated to a buffet
brunch in the intimate theater, seated at round tables of ten.
Centerpieces were comprised of roses and teddy bears, and each came with
4 tickets to an Aladdin show. These were available for purchase for $150
with all proceeds going to the Children’s Hunger Fund (CHF).
Kids for Kids organizer Keri McKee has been involved with CHF for five
years. The organization has a top efficiency rating, with over ninety
nine cents of every dollar going directly to aiding children.
Two large white screens flanked the stage and the event kicked off with
a video illustrating CHF’s work in Cambodia and Africa. Food, vitamins,
and nutrition education are delivered to children around the world.
USANA Health Sciences’ long partnership with CHF has resulted in 3
million dollars being raised for the charity.
A silent auction took place in the adjoining Cigar Room, where a
highlight was the autographed Tyrone Nesby basketball. Nesby, a former
UNLV basketball player went on to the NBA, playing for the Clippers and
the Wizards. Along with Santana lead singer Leon Patillo and producer
David Saxe, the three judges scored each performance. A frenetically
edited introduction video documented Saxe’s early acumen as a producer
extraordinaire and his current, prolific production roster including Fab
Four Mania, The Scintas, Nathan Burton, and V, the Ultimate Variety Show
to name just a few.
Master of Ceremonies Jason Neistadt (America’s Funniest People and
T.H.E.M. – Totally Hidden Extreme Magic) juggled, joked, introduced
contestants, and conducted the live auction. Both items, a George
Thorogood House of Blues dinner/limousine package and a two-night Utah
Mountain Getaway brought final bids of $300 each for CHF. Neisdadt threw
tennis balls, machetes, and bowling pins into the air and performed
impressions of Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Prince, proving he can hit the
very low and the very high notes. Nathan Burton shared a quick trick
with the audience that had real snow falling on us all.
A raffle was held for prizes such as a one hour full body massage,
singing lessons with Billie Cole of Deblanc Music (with ten of her
students in this competition, she was on hand to lend her support), gift
certificates to LoCalzone and Ali Baba restaurants, and a pair of Celine
Dion tickets.
David Saxe and Tyrone Nesby presented trophies to the performers onstage
after the competition.
Third place went to Mikhaila Montecillo, only 7 years old, who wowed the
crowd with her version of Tomorrow from the musical Annie. Second place
was captured by Alexis Fitting, 13, who gave an astoundingly
professional rendition of The Girl in 14G, incorporating opera and scat
into her performance. Alexis will perform at the USANA Kickoff Business
Opportunity Presentation at the Flamingo on Thursday, March 29 at 7:30
p.m.
First prize honors went to Stefania Zaretti, 19, whose inspirational
performance of I Surrender brought her thunderous applause. Her music
stopped shortly after she began to perform and she carried on a capella
to the end of the song. Her strong, emotional delivery and powerful
voice underscored her determination and “show must go on” attitude, and
her performance took on a transcendent quality. She will have a guest
spot in V, the Ultimate Variety Show and perform at the USANA Health
Science Convention on March 31st at the Flamingo.
Other standouts included 8 year old Matthew Hall, a four foot Blues
Brother singing Soul Man with enough attitude to make Jake and Elmo
proud, and 13 year old Marshall Morrow, who sang the classical
composition, Per Te, in Italian with poise and undeniable star quality.
Chandler Arnett, 14, whose sweet, delicate voice hit all the right notes
in The Prayer, had me wondering if a recording contract was imminent.
Chelsea Sykora, also 14, belted out a powerful rendition of “And I’m
Telling You” from Dreamgirls. 16 year old Melanie Herman’s heartfelt
“Memory” from the musical Cats enchanted the crowd. Malia Civetz, only
12, demonstrated incredible stage presence in her animated performance
of “Almost Like Being in Love.”
Channel 3 News featured Fitting, Morrow, Kailey Swanson, 9, singing the
Wizard and I, and Paige Twitchell, 10, tap dancing to Black Betty.
You’ll hear Broadway in their voices, and envision success on their
horizons. The future of the entertainment industry is safe with these
talented kids around. Halfway around the world, although they’ve never
met, other kids are safe as well because of their efforts. Talk about
ending on a high note.
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