The Soo's Got Talent starts tonight, finale in October

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Soo’s Got Talent competition is back.

After initial auditions were held August 26 through 28 at Wacky’s Great Northern Road location, the talent competition’s rounds will be held at Soo Blaster.

The first elimination round begins this evening at 7 p.m., the second elimination round September 16, the semi finals October 1 and the Grand Finale October 21.

Start times for each show are 7 p.m., except for the October 21 Grand Finale show which starts at 5 p.m. 

Judges will include local music figures Darren Robertson, Mike Severin and Valerie Powley.

Timothy Murphy will join as a guest judge for the October 21 finale.

24 performers will take to the stage tonight and each will perform a song for the judges.

Contestants will be performing in a number of genres, including pop, rock and country.

Some contestants are making repeat performances from past competitions.

The judges are aiming to get it down to six finalists for the October 21 finale.

That process of elimination won’t be easy, Robertson said, speaking to SooToday.

“There are a number of contestants that are very, very powerful at what they do. They’re very strong in their art and in their craft and they will edge their way very easily to the finals, but coming down to the finals it’s going to be very, very tough. As judges our work is cut out for us.”

The judges aren’t wise-cracking Simon Cowell types, Robertson said.

“First and foremost I’m a people person. I enjoy helping people and that’s part of the gratification. Because of my music background I can help the contestants with their journey.”

“Through communication and through guidance and getting to know them as both performers and individuals we can help them blossom. Our job is more of a positive reinforcement and encouragement, so even if you didn’t make the top three, that doesn’t mean you’re horrible.”

“There’s so much talent in this city. It’s unbelievable,” Robertson said.

Tickets are available at the door for each event throughout the competition.

General admission is $15 and $10 for children 12 and under. 

The Soo’s Got Talent is a fundraiser.

Most of the funds raised from admission will go to the Brain Injury Association of Sault Ste. Marie and District, the rest toward prizes for first, second and third place contestants.

The two prior Soo’s Got Talent events raised funds for The Canadian Cancer Society and ARCH.

The competition has been organized by Robertson, Mario Naccarato as event founder and producer and Barbara Rajnovich as director and producer.

More details - including contact information - is available on The Soo’s Got Talent Facebook page.

“To see these individuals on stage, I see myself on stage and where I was at that age, going into various competitions and performances. I understand their nervousness and hesitancy to go on stage so it's an awesome journey for me to see these people evolve as performers,” Robertson said.