Post by jptheprofessor on May 21, 2008 16:20:30 GMT -5
Youth was again in the spotlight on Sunday afternoon, April 27, as the 18th annual Crazy Fest Amateur Youth Talent Show happened at the Greenwood Firehall in Altoona. Organized and hosted by Dennie Huber, the event again gave young entertainers ages 21 and under an opportunity to showcase their talents. Q94 was again proud to be a sponsor!
Twenty-five individual contestants participated in this year’s Crazy Fest, along with six performing duo and group acts. After the playing of the National Anthem, Denny opened the afternoon with his introduction and some initial comments, again reassuring parents that no “Simon Cowell” types were going to humiliate their children.
The organizer and emcee of Crazy Fest, Dennie Huber.
Running sound at Crazy Fest this afternoon, the new jingle pitchman for J&P Auto Mart, Jack Servello.
Crazy Fest then began with the youngest contestants, in the age 6 and under category. Six-year-old Anatasia Kimball began with her acrobatic dance routine, which would win her the top honor in this age division. But perhaps setting the fun tone for the afternoon was the day’s youngest contestant, 4-year-old Layna Henry, who did a belly-dancing routine to the I Dream of Genie television show theme! Despite their young ages, neither Anatasia or Layna were intimidated by being in front of the audience; these two youngsters enjoyed their moments in the limelight and had fun – very cool!
The age 7 to 9-year-old division featured two young drummers, as 7-year-old Mackenzie Brantner of Altoona and 8-year-old Matthew Bidoli of Altoona both showed their talents behind the kits. Other contestants in this age bracket included 9-year-old Elizabeth Vaughan of Altoona, who did a dance routine; Jessie Arthur, who played guitar, and 9-year-old Shannon Barnes of Hollidaysburg, who won the first-place trophy with her singing performance of Allan Sherman’s novelty hit “Hello Muddah Hello Faddah.”
Displaying her talents playing drum rudiments, Mackenzie Brantner.
Another young drummer at Crazy Fest…Matthew Bidoli.
In the age 10 and 11 division saw three contestants. Ten-year-old Cindy Piner of Altoona kicked off the category with her dance routine, which eventually won top honors. Also performing were 10-year-old Delaney Hallinan of Altoona, who sang “Stupid Cupid,” and 11-year-old Carly Ingold of Cresson, who sang the song “My New Philosophy.”
In the age 12 category, Amber Ickes of Altoona started with an a cappela singing performance. Carter Cerully of East Freedom sang a folk number, with his parents, Denny and Katie Cerully (both members of local bluegrass group Mt. City Grass) backing him on guitar and bass. The eventual division winner, Harley Salzgiver of Duncansville, performed a ballet-styled dance routine. And Chelsea Moses of Hollidaysburg did a self-choreographed dancing performance.
With parents Katie and Denny Cerully providing backing accompaniment, Carter Cerully performs at Crazy Fest. In such an instance (where somebody performs with accompaniment), the judging panel is advised to only judge the contestant, not his/her accompaniment.
Again, Carter Cerully.
The audience looks on as Chelsea Moses performs her self-choreographed dance routine.
Every year at Crazy Fest, past contestants return to serve as judges on the judging panel, and also to perform in exhibition. At this point, the first of those exhibition performers, Angela Dodson, first thanked Dennie Huber for giving kids this opportunity to shine and nurture their performing talents, before she led the audience in a singalong rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.”
Performing in exhibition, Crazy Fest alum Angela Dodson.
Next was the age 13 to 15 division, also with four contestants. The first three contestants were 13; Hunter White started with a singing performance, followed by Eden Henry of Hollidaysburg, who won top honors with her singing and keyboard performance. Crazy Fest is partially named because of its unpredictable nature, as the talents young contestants bring to the contest are only limited by their own imaginations; the next contestant, Clay Sholly, did a skateboard performance to music, complete with his own mini-ramps to perform his maneuvers. 15-year-old Brittany Poplan ended the division with a violin performance.
Skateboarding made its arrival at this year’s Crazy Fest. The audience looks on as Clay Sholly demonstrates his skateboarding skills.
Another Crazy Fest alumnus gave an exhibition performance at this point. Now professionally performing in the fair and festival scene, young Elaini, armed with her pink acoustic guitar, performed a rendition of Hank Williams’ “Hey Good Lookin.’”
Next was the age 16 bracket, which featured three contestants. Chelsea Zeek of Altoona started off with a dance routine. Mara Murphy of Hollidaysburg gave a strong singing performance, that netted her the gold. And Kelsie Ingold of Cresson gave a singing and keyboard performance.
Displaying the excellent singing voice that won her top honors, Mara Murphy.
Singing and playing keyboard, Kelsie Ingold.
At this point, host Dennie Huber bestowed some Crazy Fest awards upon two past contestants; first giving the “Outstanding Achievement” award to Elaini, and the first of two “Hall Of Fame” awards to Angela Dodson.
The age 17 and 18 category featured two contestants. First, 17-year-old Nick Finucchio of Altoona sang and played keys on an original song called “A Little Pink Ribbon,” which he wrote about a friend that was recently declared cancer-free. This performance earned Nick first place. The other contestant, 18-year-old Mike Hallinan, sang and played an acoustic guitar rendition of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends.”
Performing his original song “A Little Pink Ribbon,” Nick Finnuchio.
Performing some Beatles for his Crazy Fest entry, Mike Hallinan.
The final age division of this year’s Crazy Fest was the age 19 division. First, Kira Burley of Roaring Spring sang and performed a song on keyboard. Eventual winner Danny Tippery of Duncansville gave an acoustic guitar and singing rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.”
Singing and playing keys, Kira Burley.
Danny Tippery, winning Crazy Fest top honors with his performance of “Simple Man.”
Next was another exhibition performance by a Crazy Fest alum. Don Hughes, who just released his self-titled debut CD, played an instrumental composition on keys; before Dennie Huber awarded him with the second Crazy Fest “Hall of Fame” award of the afternoon.
Giving an exhibition performance on his keyboard, Don Hughes.
Next was the duo and group competition. Six different duos or groups performed; these were singing or dancing groups, not to be confused with the amateur band division, which didn’t happen this year because of lack of band entrants. First was the acoustic duo of Tippery & Harris, doing a rendition of Sheryl Crow & Kid Rock’s “Picture.” Next was the duo of Bidoli & Coppola, who won top honors this year for their Italian-themed dance performance. The young duo of Barnes & Wood sang together on “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better.” Next was the dance duo of Clintello & Pringle, doing a dance performance. The pairing of Carly Ingold and Chelsea Moses next performed a ballet dance number. Closing out this division was the dance trio of Bidoli, Bidoli & Clintello.
The duo of Tippery & Harris perform Sheryl Crow & Kid Rock’s “Picture.”
With keyboard accompaniment, the duo of Barnes & Wood do “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better.”
One more scheduled exhibition performer remained, as Crystal Marie sang the country number “In a Small Town.” But then another surprise at this year’s Crazy Fest, as an unexpected visitor, Crazy Fest alumnus Anthony Harrison, dropped in while he was in town on weekend leave from his U.S. Navy services in Norfolk, Virginia. Anthony did an exhibition performance, doing an a cappella sung and spoken word piece.
Singing in exhibition, Crystal Marie.
Unexpected special guest and Crazy Fest alum Anthony Harrison, performing a singing and spoken word number.
Finally, it was time to award the hardware. Dennie Huber announced the placings and winners in all the age divisions, awarding trophies, plaques, and ribbons to every youngster who performed. After announcing the age division winners, Dennie presented other Crazy Fest awards; including the “Fan Favorite” awards, voted on by the audience; the female fan favorite winner was Mackenzie Brantner for her drumming performance, and the male fan favorite winner was Carter Cerully for his folk singing performance. The Future Star awards, as selected by the judging panel, went to Shannon Barnes in the ages 12-and-under division, and to Danny Tippery in the age 13 and older division. Crazy Fest also awarded several Outstanding Awards; Matthew Bidoli of Altoona won the Outstanding Musician award, Cindy Piner won Outstanding Dancer, the duo of Barnes & Wood won for Outstanding Variety Act, Nick Finucchio won Outstanding Male Vocalist, and Mara Murphy won Outstanding Female Vocalist. Lastly, 4-year-old Layna Henry won the Most Original Performance award for her belly-dancing routine.
Crazy Fest was again well-attended, and again lived up to its billing as a fun and at times crazy family event. On behalf of Dennie Huber, thanks and hats off to all of the sponsors, the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company, Jack Servello for running sound, all the volunteers who helped with the event, the contestants, and everybody who came out to support the event. Q94 and Pennsylvania Musician Magazine were again proud to be sponsors of this year’s Crazy Fest, and we look forward to next year’s event!
Once again, the man who puts Crazy Fest together, Dennie Huber.
Twenty-five individual contestants participated in this year’s Crazy Fest, along with six performing duo and group acts. After the playing of the National Anthem, Denny opened the afternoon with his introduction and some initial comments, again reassuring parents that no “Simon Cowell” types were going to humiliate their children.
The organizer and emcee of Crazy Fest, Dennie Huber.
Running sound at Crazy Fest this afternoon, the new jingle pitchman for J&P Auto Mart, Jack Servello.
Crazy Fest then began with the youngest contestants, in the age 6 and under category. Six-year-old Anatasia Kimball began with her acrobatic dance routine, which would win her the top honor in this age division. But perhaps setting the fun tone for the afternoon was the day’s youngest contestant, 4-year-old Layna Henry, who did a belly-dancing routine to the I Dream of Genie television show theme! Despite their young ages, neither Anatasia or Layna were intimidated by being in front of the audience; these two youngsters enjoyed their moments in the limelight and had fun – very cool!
The age 7 to 9-year-old division featured two young drummers, as 7-year-old Mackenzie Brantner of Altoona and 8-year-old Matthew Bidoli of Altoona both showed their talents behind the kits. Other contestants in this age bracket included 9-year-old Elizabeth Vaughan of Altoona, who did a dance routine; Jessie Arthur, who played guitar, and 9-year-old Shannon Barnes of Hollidaysburg, who won the first-place trophy with her singing performance of Allan Sherman’s novelty hit “Hello Muddah Hello Faddah.”
Displaying her talents playing drum rudiments, Mackenzie Brantner.
Another young drummer at Crazy Fest…Matthew Bidoli.
In the age 10 and 11 division saw three contestants. Ten-year-old Cindy Piner of Altoona kicked off the category with her dance routine, which eventually won top honors. Also performing were 10-year-old Delaney Hallinan of Altoona, who sang “Stupid Cupid,” and 11-year-old Carly Ingold of Cresson, who sang the song “My New Philosophy.”
In the age 12 category, Amber Ickes of Altoona started with an a cappela singing performance. Carter Cerully of East Freedom sang a folk number, with his parents, Denny and Katie Cerully (both members of local bluegrass group Mt. City Grass) backing him on guitar and bass. The eventual division winner, Harley Salzgiver of Duncansville, performed a ballet-styled dance routine. And Chelsea Moses of Hollidaysburg did a self-choreographed dancing performance.
With parents Katie and Denny Cerully providing backing accompaniment, Carter Cerully performs at Crazy Fest. In such an instance (where somebody performs with accompaniment), the judging panel is advised to only judge the contestant, not his/her accompaniment.
Again, Carter Cerully.
The audience looks on as Chelsea Moses performs her self-choreographed dance routine.
Every year at Crazy Fest, past contestants return to serve as judges on the judging panel, and also to perform in exhibition. At this point, the first of those exhibition performers, Angela Dodson, first thanked Dennie Huber for giving kids this opportunity to shine and nurture their performing talents, before she led the audience in a singalong rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.”
Performing in exhibition, Crazy Fest alum Angela Dodson.
Next was the age 13 to 15 division, also with four contestants. The first three contestants were 13; Hunter White started with a singing performance, followed by Eden Henry of Hollidaysburg, who won top honors with her singing and keyboard performance. Crazy Fest is partially named because of its unpredictable nature, as the talents young contestants bring to the contest are only limited by their own imaginations; the next contestant, Clay Sholly, did a skateboard performance to music, complete with his own mini-ramps to perform his maneuvers. 15-year-old Brittany Poplan ended the division with a violin performance.
Skateboarding made its arrival at this year’s Crazy Fest. The audience looks on as Clay Sholly demonstrates his skateboarding skills.
Another Crazy Fest alumnus gave an exhibition performance at this point. Now professionally performing in the fair and festival scene, young Elaini, armed with her pink acoustic guitar, performed a rendition of Hank Williams’ “Hey Good Lookin.’”
Next was the age 16 bracket, which featured three contestants. Chelsea Zeek of Altoona started off with a dance routine. Mara Murphy of Hollidaysburg gave a strong singing performance, that netted her the gold. And Kelsie Ingold of Cresson gave a singing and keyboard performance.
Displaying the excellent singing voice that won her top honors, Mara Murphy.
Singing and playing keyboard, Kelsie Ingold.
At this point, host Dennie Huber bestowed some Crazy Fest awards upon two past contestants; first giving the “Outstanding Achievement” award to Elaini, and the first of two “Hall Of Fame” awards to Angela Dodson.
The age 17 and 18 category featured two contestants. First, 17-year-old Nick Finucchio of Altoona sang and played keys on an original song called “A Little Pink Ribbon,” which he wrote about a friend that was recently declared cancer-free. This performance earned Nick first place. The other contestant, 18-year-old Mike Hallinan, sang and played an acoustic guitar rendition of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends.”
Performing his original song “A Little Pink Ribbon,” Nick Finnuchio.
Performing some Beatles for his Crazy Fest entry, Mike Hallinan.
The final age division of this year’s Crazy Fest was the age 19 division. First, Kira Burley of Roaring Spring sang and performed a song on keyboard. Eventual winner Danny Tippery of Duncansville gave an acoustic guitar and singing rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.”
Singing and playing keys, Kira Burley.
Danny Tippery, winning Crazy Fest top honors with his performance of “Simple Man.”
Next was another exhibition performance by a Crazy Fest alum. Don Hughes, who just released his self-titled debut CD, played an instrumental composition on keys; before Dennie Huber awarded him with the second Crazy Fest “Hall of Fame” award of the afternoon.
Giving an exhibition performance on his keyboard, Don Hughes.
Next was the duo and group competition. Six different duos or groups performed; these were singing or dancing groups, not to be confused with the amateur band division, which didn’t happen this year because of lack of band entrants. First was the acoustic duo of Tippery & Harris, doing a rendition of Sheryl Crow & Kid Rock’s “Picture.” Next was the duo of Bidoli & Coppola, who won top honors this year for their Italian-themed dance performance. The young duo of Barnes & Wood sang together on “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better.” Next was the dance duo of Clintello & Pringle, doing a dance performance. The pairing of Carly Ingold and Chelsea Moses next performed a ballet dance number. Closing out this division was the dance trio of Bidoli, Bidoli & Clintello.
The duo of Tippery & Harris perform Sheryl Crow & Kid Rock’s “Picture.”
With keyboard accompaniment, the duo of Barnes & Wood do “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better.”
One more scheduled exhibition performer remained, as Crystal Marie sang the country number “In a Small Town.” But then another surprise at this year’s Crazy Fest, as an unexpected visitor, Crazy Fest alumnus Anthony Harrison, dropped in while he was in town on weekend leave from his U.S. Navy services in Norfolk, Virginia. Anthony did an exhibition performance, doing an a cappella sung and spoken word piece.
Singing in exhibition, Crystal Marie.
Unexpected special guest and Crazy Fest alum Anthony Harrison, performing a singing and spoken word number.
Finally, it was time to award the hardware. Dennie Huber announced the placings and winners in all the age divisions, awarding trophies, plaques, and ribbons to every youngster who performed. After announcing the age division winners, Dennie presented other Crazy Fest awards; including the “Fan Favorite” awards, voted on by the audience; the female fan favorite winner was Mackenzie Brantner for her drumming performance, and the male fan favorite winner was Carter Cerully for his folk singing performance. The Future Star awards, as selected by the judging panel, went to Shannon Barnes in the ages 12-and-under division, and to Danny Tippery in the age 13 and older division. Crazy Fest also awarded several Outstanding Awards; Matthew Bidoli of Altoona won the Outstanding Musician award, Cindy Piner won Outstanding Dancer, the duo of Barnes & Wood won for Outstanding Variety Act, Nick Finucchio won Outstanding Male Vocalist, and Mara Murphy won Outstanding Female Vocalist. Lastly, 4-year-old Layna Henry won the Most Original Performance award for her belly-dancing routine.
Crazy Fest was again well-attended, and again lived up to its billing as a fun and at times crazy family event. On behalf of Dennie Huber, thanks and hats off to all of the sponsors, the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company, Jack Servello for running sound, all the volunteers who helped with the event, the contestants, and everybody who came out to support the event. Q94 and Pennsylvania Musician Magazine were again proud to be sponsors of this year’s Crazy Fest, and we look forward to next year’s event!
Once again, the man who puts Crazy Fest together, Dennie Huber.