By M.J. Hoecherl, UW News Lab
The Magnolia Summerfest and Art Show will hold its annual Youth Talent Show this Friday, Aug. 3. Performances will begin at 7 p.m. on the hill behind the Magnolia Community Center. The 18-act show will feature children from the community ages 7-14. On the list of performers are jugglers, singers, dancers, hula hoopers and more.
Magnolia resident Mark Lacas’s daughter, Aleta, is among the contestants this year. She will perform a unique talent for a youngster her age: advanced drumming. “She’s been playing ever since she could sit up; we got her
first set of bongos when she was just a baby,” Lacas said. He himself has been a drummer for over 35 years, and also DJs and teaches drumming around the Seattle area. At just 7 years old, Aleta has already performed at jazz
festivals for crowds of over 1,000 people and has even met jazz icon Herbie Hancock. When asked what Aleta would do with the prize money if she wins the talent show, her dad said she would probably want to spend it on one
of her many extracurricular activities. “As her dad, I would say to save it, but she has a lot of interests at her age,” Lacas said. Aleta would probably use the money for items “to make costumes, art projects or building projects,” he added.
Other acts set to perform in the show include 9-year-old singing duo Grace Wesson and Sara Haworth, and 9-year-old juggler Max Peterson, just to name a few. According to Stephanie Peterson, one of the show
coordinators, the event consistently draws a big crowd every year, eager to check out new talent and see if previous contestants have returned. We usually fill up the whole hillside with an audience; it’s just a really fun thing for families to watch. This year, we’ll also be showing a movie right after the show,” she said. “The Princess Bride” will begin around 9 p.m.
The first place winner will receive a cash prize of $150, second place, $100, and third, $50. All prizes are provided by the show’s sponsor, local ice cream store Cocoa & Cream. The Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs also donated grants (which went towards prize money.) The event is free to the public.
(M.J. Hoecherl is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.)