Tastee semi-final on Thursday

THIRTY-TWO contests will be facing the judges in the Tastee Talent Trail semi-finals at the Tastee car park in Cross Roads, St Andrew, on Thursday. And of that number, 10 will get the nod for the final round.

The competition starts at 6:30 pm.

Howard McGowan, communication manager, said the entrants have all been fine-tuning their talents.

“All of them have been working very hard to advance to the next round,” he said.

“And based on the fact that the contestants have stepped up their game since grooming sessions began in September, it’s not going to be easy for the judges to select the top 10,” he continued.

According to McGowan, grooming comprises microphone control, vocal styling, and breathing as well as wardrobe selection.

The judges are reggae artiste Queen Ifrica; Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, formerly of Third World and lecturer at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts; and Kerry-Ann Lawrence, who holds a dance degree from Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

The grand final is scheduled for Thursday, December 12, at the same venue. The competition’s winner will take home $1 million; second-place finisher will collect $500,000; while the third-place finisher will pocket $150,000.

Tastee Talent Trail, now in its 34th year, is sponsored by Tastee, Pepsi, T-Shirt Express, Sparkles Disco and Kosmo Tours.

For the original report go to http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Tastee-semi-final-on-Thursday_15463618