Atlantic City Weekly

Share this Story:

Do you think it’s Atlantic City’s salty, ocean air?  Maybe it’s something about foods grown in our sandy soil? Maybe our rich entertainment history? 

I swear the generations of talent keep coming and coming. The evening may have started slow, but things rapidly picked up as talented youth, ages 14-18, began strutting their stuff on the stage at the Police Athletic League (PAL) building on Thursday, Dec. 15.
  
The Atlantic City Department of Recreation’s Talent Showcase and Competition, hosted by writer, poet and radio host Ray Tyler, was originally scheduled from 5-7:30pm. It was displaced by an overflow crowd attending an expungement workshop at the Soldier’s Home, so at the last minute, Ray had to redirect everyone to the PAL building. While we waited, DJ Jersey Jeff entertained us with a great selection of rap, R&B and electronica favorites.

Around 6pm, Ray announced, “Give yourselves a round of applause for hanging in there with us.  I don’t know what’s going on … but we have some outstanding talent here for you tonight.  We’ll begin in five or 10 minutes.”

Outstanding was putting it lightly. From the first to the last contestant, these young people were phenomenal. Each one has been performing for at least three years and at most, 10, in their short lives.

A shy Steven Montero opened up more and more as he sang “I Hear the Bells on Xmas Day.” Carol Pacintrilli gave us a taste of Broadway sounding very much like Liza Minelli on “New York, New York.” Jah-Quanah Dockery, a CharterTech High (Somers Point) student, sent chills through my body as she performed Beyonce’s “Listen.” Bridgette Walker sang a folksy “Sunday Morning” while playing guitar, reminding me of India Arie. Cierra Martin warmed the roomed with a beautiful “Ave Maria.” Lyzzi Moore’s “Bethlehem Sunsrise” clearly demonstrated her professional training and Lea Palmer’s rendition of “Mary, Sweet Mary” gave me goose bumps.  Tamara Adams was confident of her talent — when the CD player had a malfunction, she announced that she would sing a cappella. Kayla Cochran also sang a cappella beautifully on “All I Want for Christmas,” drawing loud applause from the packed audience. Cyno Martinez, a CharterTech senior, brought the house down when he connected with the audience on John Legend’s “Ordinary People.”

There were two fantastic dramatic presentations, one by Eric Phillips from the A.C. Theatre Guild, and the other by Kelsey Wade, who was convincing in her portrayal of a daughter infuriated by domestic abuse. Also, there was an energetic dance performance from the Iconics Dance Troupe.

With such great entertainment, no one in the audience seemed to mind the late start. While the judges conferred, the 2011-2012 HBO Brave New Voices champions, the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement, ended the night. The rhythmic literary talents of this group never disappoint. Members even took time to talk to some of the artists about their performances and stressed the importance of revues like the night’s Talent Showcase and Competition to give emerging artists more time in front of live audiences with judges. Finally, the judges announced that Cyno Martinez was this year’s $100 winner.

Keep these names in mind — I’m sure this was not the last we will see of many of Atlantic City’s next generation of vocalists, actors, dancers and musicians. This may have been a small, local competition, but these young artists performed as if they were in front of Simon, Randy and Paula.