Last Sunday’s show was likely the last NOW Generation show for 89-year-old musical mentor Nikki Weber, who has organized these annual showcases of youth talent for many years.
“I have to pull back a bit,” the energetic senior told Coast Reporter.
This concert was special in that it featured some budding talent, all young women, mostly teenage, plus a few of an older generation of performers who have worked with Weber in the past. Two sister acts showed great promise: Ashaya and Talia Walkey tackled Elton John’s Your Song, among other tunes, while Kiah Duffy, 15, and her sister Faye, 12, performed a set together then joined with Pender Harbour’s Renee Harper on a medley from Les Miserables. Renee has an upbeat stage presence; she seemed comfortable with songs that had a more fun and adult theme.
The band of pianist extraordinaire Walter Martella, Sacha Fassaert on guitar and Barry Taylor on drums provided terrific professional back up.
The second half saw the return to the stage of Canadian Idol finalist Sarah Loverock, who has the vocal chops to wow the audience and who harmonizes excellently with son Ronan on guitar. Tanya Staunton sang the lovely Angels from Montgomery, while the poised Maddy Weber brought a tear to the eye of her grandmother Nikki with her mature song selection. Robyn Edgar, a true talent, closed the show with Georgia on My Mind. It’s no mystery why Weber is proud of the young vocalists.
There is another chance for Weber to foster young singers when she oversees a youth talent contest set for July 1 at the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre during the Canada Day celebrations. This time she is collaborating with the Sechelt Downtown Business Association to help with organizing the event, and she has financial support from Lions Club and Rotary.
Auditions for the contest take place Wednesday, May 18 for the pre-teens (nine to 12) at 7 p.m. and Thursday, May 19 for youth aged 13 to 19 at 7 p.m. There’s a $10 entry fee and an application form to be filled in on the day of audition. Hopefuls can phone Weber for more information at 604-740-0933 or just show up at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre.
