Singers, dancers and an 89-year-old rapper are among 10 acts hoping to be crowned winner of "Seniors Got Talent."
Ranging in age from 62 to 92 - with the average age being 72 - these talented senior adults will take the stage on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St.
"Seniors Got Talent" is sponsored by Morning Pointe Senior Living and Morning Point Foundation. The finalists were chosen from numerous talented Chattanooga area seniors who auditioned. They will perform Tuesday before a live audience and a panel of judges during the grand finale. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places.
"Seniors Got Talent" competition began more than 10 years ago as "Senior Idol" at the Morning Pointe of Hixson assisted living and Alzheimer's memory care community. "Seniors Got Talent" contest expands its scope and furthers its mission of engaging local seniors.
THE 10 FINALISTS
* Musician Bob Black (74)* Musician Ernestine Eldridge (92)* Vocalist Brenda Haney (71)* Rapper Joan Hanks (89)* Musician Ronnie Nicholas (71)* Musician George Samaduroff Jr. (77)* Musician Doug Smith (65) of Dayton* Vocalist Wayne Turner (64)* East Ridge Senior Fit Line Dancers: Janet Black (65), George Rodgers (63), Donata Walker (67), Jan Rosser (67), Kim Svoy (72), Rose Hain (76), Jo Minsherr (64) and Dianne Tassie (70)* Just Us Gals bluegrass quartet: Evelyn Madwell (82), Agene Parsons (83), Marilyn Reppond (69) and Linda Coniglio (69)
"I have been present at all of our senior talent show auditions since we began them a decade ago at Morning Pointe of Hixson, and I've been blown away by the sheer amount of talent our seniors possess," said Frankie Parrott, community relations director at Morning Pointe of Hixson and a driving force behind the original "Senior Idol" competitions.
"In some cases, these men and women have been honing their skills over a lifetime while others discovered new passions after retirement. Now that our competition has grown to encompass the entire Tennessee Valley, the presence of talent is that much clearer. I cannot wait to share our contestants' performances with the rest of the community."
"This is definitely an event you won't want to miss. Our contestants are going to give the audience a wildly entertaining show while also providing them with an engaging opportunity to give back to a very worthy cause, senior caregiver support and education and scholarships for future geriatric nurses," said Audra Hopkins, executive director of the Morning Pointe Foundation.
"Seniors Got Talent" will be emceed by NewsChannel9 anchor Kim Chapman and retired anchor Calvin Sneed. Judges will be Carla Pritchard, owner of Chattanooga Presents; Nina Coppinger, piano teacher of 40 years and former choral director for Loftis Middle School; Rodney Van Valkenberg, interim president and director of grants and initiatives at ArtsBuild; and Cinnamon Smith, founder and artistic director of Flutterby Dance Theatre.
Tickets can be purchased through the Chattanooga Theatre Centre for $20. Seats can be reserved by calling 423-267-8534 or online at www.morningpointefoundation.com/seniorsgottalent.
- Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce