Saturday, March 19, ushers in the third annual Harvard Community Talent Show. This popular, family-friendly event is organized by Harvard Friends of the Arts (HFOA), a subcommittee of the Harvard Friends of the Library that was founded in 2007. The group's mission is "to stimulate and promote high-quality, diverse professional and amateur talent that will enhance Harvard's quality of life; and to make Volunteers Hall a central gathering place that supports the transformative power of artistic expression."

 

Emma and Ted Noyes at their talent show audition. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

According to Bob Eiland, performer and assistant producer for the show, "This is the only event in town open to anyone age 13 and up who would like to showcase a talent of almost any kind: musical, theatrical, comic or other. This event affords our town a unique voice of the community."

The event, emceed by Selectman Tim Clark, will feature 15 acts, including some previous contenders. Ken Nygren, whose rendition of "Oklahoma" was loudly cheered last year, is partnering up with another talent show veteran, Helen Batchelder, for a duet of "People Will Say We're in Love." Batchelder will also be performing with her group, The Lost Chord.

One of the youngest talents this year will be 15-year-old Emma Noyes, who was the eighth finalist in the Central Mass Idol Competition held this past fall. She will be performing a duet with her father, Ted, singing the Academy Award-winning song, "Falling Slowly," from the movie soundtrack Once. The father-and-daughter team has been performing together for as long as they can remember.

Jake Valladares auditions on Feb. 28 for the March 19 talent show. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

"Emma has been singing since she could talk," says Ted Noyes. "My parents encouraged music when I grew up and I do the same for my children. We love singing together. In fact, we have played in a folk festival in Newfoundland a few times at an event organized by my wife's family."

Emma is equally excited about singing with her father. "It's something I love to do with my dad," she says. "It's our bonding time. He's been playing guitar since he was six. He has inspired me."

Unlike previous years, performances at the talent show will be limited to one spot per act with a five-minute time constraint. There will be a 15-minute intermission. Refreshments will be served, with suggested donations going to support the Friends of the Harvard Public Library. The show begins at 7 p.m. March 19th in Volunteers Hall.

For more information about the show contact producers Di Hall at DianeMarieHall@verizon.net, Bob Eiland at bob@egselite.com, or Joan Eliyesil at eliyesil35@charter.net.