EK Idol chance to showcase talent in town

May 27 2009 by Shona Mitchell, East Kilbride News

THREE local youngsters are behind a talent event which will take place in the town next week and which offers the winner a slot at the town’s Artburst festival.

Kimberley Hannah, 12, and sisters Rebecca, nine, and Olivia Curbelo Valdivia, six, have, with the help of their families and friends, arranged an event called EK Idol to help them raise funds to take part in a talent show in Spain this summer.

The EK Idol talent competition has five sections which allow people of all age groups to take part and there is also a category for groups.

Four acts from each of these sections will then be chosen to take part in the EK Idol Final on Saturday, June 13.

At the final they will be competing for the individual section title as well as the overall title of EK Idol 2009.

If you can sing, dance, act, juggle, play an instrument, tell jokes or entertain in any way the girls want you to take part in the event.

Full details on each section, including the prizes, can be found on the EK Idol website.

As one of the judges will be Raymond Anderson from East Kilbride Arts Centre, the top prize for the overall winner is a slot at the upcoming Artburst Festival which is held in the town at the end of June.

Another confirmed judge is Donald Cameron of Cbeebies.

The event looks to be a fun day out for all the family as, not only will you have the chance to watch all the competitors show off their talent, but there will be face painting, tombola, various stalls, the chance to record your own CD, home- baking and much more.

Also being held on the day is a bonnie baby competition open to youngsters aged three and under.

The girls have arranged the event to raise cash as they have all been offered the opportunity to take part in the European Growing Talent Event which is to be held in Barcelona in August.

There they will get the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of casting directors, agents and managers.

As this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, they are working hard to raise funds which will help with event entry, accommodation and travel costs.

Kimberley has been fortunate enough to have received a full scholarship from Growing Talent to attend the event but Rebecca and Olivia hope to raise the cash they require.

The girls will be taking part in several fundraisers over the coming months including taking part in a sponsored dance.

The EK Idol event will be held in the West Kirk on Saturday, June 6 from 10am until 4pm with the final being held the following Saturday evening.

Full details are available at www.ekidol.co.uk

BUDDING STARS: these three talented youngsters hope their EK Idol event is a big success and will allow them to travel to Spain to take part in the European Growing Talent Event this summer.