| R Beach Hernando Beach |
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| Interested in more information aboutTalent Quest Sunshine State? Click here or Contact us at 727-374-8072 or by e-mailing us at Phil@TalentQuestSunshineState.com |
| Large crowd, familiar faces pack R Beach local final |
HERNANDO BEACH It was part reunion, part
brand new experience for the participants of the
Talent Quest Sunshine State 2011 local final at
R Beach on Feb. 5. A nearly four-hour contest
saw almost 40 performances on the stage at the
restaurant/bar.
"I don't say this-ever," contest co-owner and
head judge Phil Garris told the crowd after the
competition. "But the talent here rivals that of the
national contest. We couldn't be happier."
By far the largest category was in Men's
Masters, where 12 singers competed for a
chance to advance to Talent Quest Sunshine
State, which is April 7-10 at the Double Tree
Westshore Hotel in Tampa. In all, 22
performances made it through to the next round.
"This group was so prepared for the contest and
it makes us so happy to see that," said Steve
brand new experience for the participants of the
Talent Quest Sunshine State 2011 local final at
R Beach on Feb. 5. A nearly four-hour contest
saw almost 40 performances on the stage at the
restaurant/bar.
"I don't say this-ever," contest co-owner and
head judge Phil Garris told the crowd after the
competition. "But the talent here rivals that of the
national contest. We couldn't be happier."
By far the largest category was in Men's
Masters, where 12 singers competed for a
chance to advance to Talent Quest Sunshine
State, which is April 7-10 at the Double Tree
Westshore Hotel in Tampa. In all, 22
performances made it through to the next round.
"This group was so prepared for the contest and
it makes us so happy to see that," said Steve
Blanchard, who co-owns the contest and served as emcee. "R Beach is a nice place, but I doubt that this place is
packed with guys in suits and tuxes and women in beautiful gowns on Saturday afternoons. It makes us so happy to
see contestants who did their research and know what they're in for."
This is the second time R Beach has served as a local venue for Talent Quest Sunshine State and participation was
higher than last year's debut season. The qualified singers will compete against nearly 300 performers from
throughout the state qualifying from 14 venues.
"It was a long day but it was definitely worth it to hear so much talent," Garris said. "We officially have a contest
underway."
Because of the shear number of contestants, not everyone was able to advance. Both Blanchard and Garris
encouraged those who didn't qualify to continue to try at neighboring venues. For a list of participating 2011 venues,
visit the VENUE link on top of this page.
Qualified singers advance to the regional final at no charge. Tickets for friends and family are available online
through the TICKET link above.
packed with guys in suits and tuxes and women in beautiful gowns on Saturday afternoons. It makes us so happy to
see contestants who did their research and know what they're in for."
This is the second time R Beach has served as a local venue for Talent Quest Sunshine State and participation was
higher than last year's debut season. The qualified singers will compete against nearly 300 performers from
throughout the state qualifying from 14 venues.
"It was a long day but it was definitely worth it to hear so much talent," Garris said. "We officially have a contest
underway."
Because of the shear number of contestants, not everyone was able to advance. Both Blanchard and Garris
encouraged those who didn't qualify to continue to try at neighboring venues. For a list of participating 2011 venues,
visit the VENUE link on top of this page.
Qualified singers advance to the regional final at no charge. Tickets for friends and family are available online
through the TICKET link above.
