Boys & Girls Club Presents Boys & Girls Bands in Annual Talent Show
LAWRENCE, Kan. – At long last the musical stylings of N*Sync and Wilson Phillips will come together in the same dance ensemble when the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence hosts the 2019 Lights On Talent Show at Lawrence Memorial Central Middle School, Friday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the free event.
The annual talent show’s theme is “Boys & Girls Club Presents Boys & Girls Bands” inspired by the Club’s best feature – the boys and girls. All 15 Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence locations will dance to a mash-up of songs from one boy band and one girl band. Nearly 1,500 kids attend BGCLK each day, ranging from kindergartners to seniors in high school. The Club strives to be there for “those who need us most,” giving every child, no matter their circumstance, a place to belong.
In addition to a sense of belonging, BGCLK prides itself on creating opportunities for youth that they may not get to experience otherwise. Such as the chance to shine on stage for hundreds of fans. The Lights On Talent Show does exactly that. During the show’s brief intermission, the audience will hear from several Lights On “veterans” who have performed in the show for years, as to why they love the annual talent show.
This year’s performances will leave attendees wishing they were up there, too. One debonair dance team from each Club site will hit the LMCMS auditorium stage to showcase their moves. Performances will feature mash-ups of the Backstreet Boys and TLC, Hanson and Salt-N-Pepa, Boyz II Men and the Spice Girls and many more.
Each Club site recruits 15 kids (maximum) for their dance team and a dedicated staff member or volunteer creates a three-minute (maximum) routine. The panel of judges has the most difficult job of the evening with all 15 sites competing for the coveted Lights On trophy, including the teen team from the Center for Great Futures.
Judges are tasked with scoring the dances in categories such as degree of difficulty, creativity, effort and overall flash. Fortunately, this group will be ready for the challenge. The 2019 Lights On judges are: Patrick Kelly (Theatre Lawrence), Hannan Misko (Lawrence Arts Center), Claire Johnston (Rock Chalk Dancer), Sophie Lawrence (Rock Chalk Dancer), Gracie Link (Rock Chalk Dancer) and Brandon Hutton (Kansas Enrichment Network).
Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is celebrating its 20th year. This is the only nationwide annual event celebrating after school programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The national celebration of Lights On Afterschool Day (Oct. 24) is a tribute to the organizations across the country that keep their “lights on” after school hours. Approximately 8,000 after school programs are expected to participate in the 20th annual Lights On Afterschool, holding rallies, science fairs, student performances, community service events, sports competitions and – in Lawrence’s case – a talent show.
The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways after school programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things—such as science, community service, robotics, theater and the experience of traveling sporting events. The events send a powerful message that millions more kids need quality after school programs. As a partner of the alliance and the largest after school program in Lawrence, the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence works every day to help fill that need.