City hosts talent show in Saville Theatre

City College is a melting pot of talent.

This was proven on the evening of March 10 when, after weeks of tryouts and elimination, an eclectic group of more than 25 performers took the stage at Saville Theatre for “Talent in the City.”

There was a great audience turnout and the theater was almost sold out.

The talent show performers were a reflection of the different backgrounds that the campus is made of.

In a great act of improvisation, Felander Stevenson took first place and received a trophy and $600 for his cover of Cee Lo Green’s “Forget You.”

Stevenson’s background music was lost, but he went forward with his performance, choosing instead to sing the song a capella. With a little help from the audience, who provided a beat by clapping, he pulled through.

The second place trophy and $300 prize was awarded to Nicole Delia. Delia’s opera performance was striking, her song a refreshing change to hear amongst the other musical styles.

Arthur Hernandez Deleon, who displayed his impressive technicality and piano playing,  took the third place trophy and $100.

Even the performers who did not place were enjoyable and surprisingly entertaining.

Perhaps most surprising was the fact that Kingsley Jackson did not place. Jackson, sporting a red blazer and slicked back hair style, performed a melody of Mario’s “Let Me Love You” and Beyonce’s “Baby it’s You.” He pulled out all of the stops, turning the few minutes into his own production by taking to the stage with a crew of dancers and a set to act out the songs.

Like Jackson, Fabian Chandler did not place but got the crowd to holler and whistle as he danced to a melody of Michael Jackson songs that included “Dangerous,” “Smooth Criminal” and “Jam.”

Chandler’s enthusiasm and his impressive dancing pleased the crowd.

Samerra Dean sang Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” She took just enough inspiration from the original and was able to balance it with her own vocal range. She brought her own style and soul to the song and ultimately made it her own.

There were some performers that provided moments that did not hit as high.

Vunzenzer “Vonnie” Jones sang a cover of The Fugees’ “Killing Me Softly” that came off underwhelming because her style of singing lacked enthusiasm. The same can be said for Cassidy Lothrop and Jo-el Tapia who played guitar and sang “Maps” by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

The talent was not limited to singing. Others performed as dance crews, did poetry and rap music, and the showcase even included a puppet show by Valerie Broesch.

Cathy Harlow, the department chair of English, Humanities and Philosophy, performed as a part of “Pony Tales,” a trio of bluegrass and folk singers.

The night proved to be an impressive example of the different levels and types of talent that the students and faculty of City College has.

Our campus is brimming with talent.

Hopefully next year new audiences will be able to see more of it.