Local Talent to Compete for $1,500 in Cash and Prizes

Talent for the Title organizers are looking for the best of the best performers in the Northville area.

Last year's finals for the talent competition were interrupted by heavy thunderstorms, forcing the performances to be halted and delayed a week.

Co-chair Marry Starring, owner of Main Street art gallery , described last year's storm as a "mini-tornado." It sent performers, volunteers and the 300 in attendance running for shelfter.

Laurie Jarski, Talent for the Title founder, co-chair, and owner of , said the winds were gale force.

"Volunteers helped to secure tents and pack sound equipment while the performers moved to the alternate location," said Jarski. "Unfortunately, the power outage affected most of downtown Northville, including the alternate performance site."

When the finals resumed a week later, a winner was finally named. Nick Grochowicz, a local singer/songwriter, was voted top talent, receiving a prize package valued at $1,500.

Talent categories include song and dance

Laurie Jarski started Talent for the Title three years ago. What started out as a modest desire to promote local talent has blossomed into an event that attracts 60 performers and crowds that number in the hundreds.

The contest is divided into two age groups, ages 9 to 17 and 18 and up. There are a number of performance categroies, including best singer/songwriter, best dance group and best band.

The winner of each category will receive a crystal trophy.

At the end of the contest, an overall winner will be chosen. In addition to a crystal trophy, the overall winner stands to take home quite a haul.

Valued at $1,500, the first place prize package consists of $500 cash, a $500 gift certificate to Broughton Music & Art Center and $500 worth of professional photography.

Local business owners create opportunity

Talent for the Title's primary sponsors have been with the event since its inception. The two business owners share a passion for local artists and performers.

"As the gallery owner, I like to promote all types of art, music, and dance," said Starring. "As a community, it gives all of us a peek into the talent that we may not see otherwise."

Starring said that Laurie Jarski was responsible for creating the event, having come up with the idea and somewhat modeling it after American Idol.

Jarski, however, said the seed was planted long before the popular television program made its debut. She said it began at age 12, when she perfromed for the first time. 

"The glow I felt from that experience has fueled my passion to share the love of performance with others for a lifetime," said Jarski. "Creating an event such as the Talent for the Title provides an opportunity for our local talent to have that experience too."

To be considered for the competition, applications can be found at Starring the Gallery and Broughton Music & Art Center. The submission deadline has been extended and all applications must now be postmarked by May 15th.

Preliminary rounds will be held at on May 26. The Finals will be held in Downtown Northville's Town Square on June 3. Attendance is free.