East Coast's got talent

YOUNG STAR: Pictured here dancing with her nan, eight year old Chevolet Robinson (right) is a finalist in the kids’ song section of ECz Got Talent. Picture supplied

EAST Coast and Gisborne talent hits the stage this weekend in the finals of ECz Got Talent.

From live auditions in Uawa-Tolaga Bay, Ruatoria and at Kaiti Mall, and video submissions, about 40 finalists have been selected to perform at the two days of finals at the Cosmopolitan Club.

The talent quest is part showcase, part fundraiser and part awareness-raising event. ECz Got Talent co-organisers Gabrielle Thompson and Haley Grace-Hollis are staging the event to help raise funds for a family whose daughter took her own life.

“She was a friend, so the talent quest is a tribute to her,” says Thompson.

Funds raised by ECz Got Talent will help the family with costs associated with the young woman’s passing.

“People in this town don’t want to be judged on what they are feeling. I’m also hoping this event will help people talk more about their feelings. This is what we are doing — bringing it out into the light. Suicide has been in the dark for so long.”

Thompson’s friend was a talented dancer.

“You could turn on the music and she would dance like she was a professional. That’s what gave me the idea for this talent show. It’s a tribute to her and a way to find talent around Gisborne and the East Coast. The show is a way for people to show what they have.”

Alcohol and drugs are prevalent in this town, especially among youth who do not know what they have, she says.

“I’m trying to pull people away from that negative stuff and pull them into where it’s more positive. I’m trying to help them harness their talent and know there’s more to life than drugs and alcohol.”

Among the finalists is teen solo singer Te Akai Hotu who not only has a mature voice but can perform in any genre from reggae to hip-hop, says Thompson.

Pinky Thatcher sung an Etta James song at her Tolaga Bay audition.

“Oh my gosh! She was into the finals straight away.”

Then there are East Coast krump dancers Casey and Trent Kaiwai.

“We are two humble males looking to showcase our talents on the stage, to maybe encourage others young and old to get down with us to learn and build a movement for the coast again,” say the brothers in a Facebook post.

“New Zealand has a really strong movement within krump and I want our people to be a part of it. This dance has changed my and my brother’s lives for the better. Chur, fam.”