KUCHING: The Kuching’s Got Talent (KGT) contest will return for the eighth year to be held in conjunction with the Kuching Festival in August.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk James Chan Khay Syn said that the event has become the most sought-after talent contest by all walks of life in the city and has created a platform where contestants can truly nurture their talents and compete with each other for the best showcase, ever since it was introduced in 2012.
“This is a talent contest which is free-of-charge for contestants to showcase their talents. And for that, I encourage all to join.
“Besides, it is also a way of getting noticed in the industry and exposed to a wider audience at the same time, it is a chance for industry professionals to find out what the contents can actually deliver,” he said during a press conference at MBKS office here yesterday.
He pointed out that contestants are required to perform their respective talents, be it acting, singing, dancing, acrobatics, drumming, martial arts or playing an instrument in a unique and creative manner.
In order to make the contest even more exciting and competitive, the organiser has decided to give away excellent cash prizes to commend their efforts in their performance.
The competition is divided into three main categories; dancing, singing and others.
The dancing category will be further divided into two categories (12 years old and below, and 13 years old and above).
Champions of the dancing and singing (13 years old and above) categories will get RM3,000, first runners-up (RM2,000) and second runners-up (RM1,000) each. There are seven consolation prizes worth RM700 each.
Meanwhile, winner of the singing category (12 years old and below) will get RM1,500, first runner-up (RM1,000) and second runner-up RM500. There are seven consolation prizes worth RM100.
All winners will also get a trophy.
For the others category, the champion will receive RM2,000, first runner-up (RM1,500), second runner-up (RM800) and seven consolation prizes of RM100 each. All winners will also receive a trophy each.
“The talent show does not have restrictions on age, gender or ethnicity. There will be no limit of numbers of contestants as each contesting group can only perform for five minutes.
“However, contestants must take into careful consideration of the size of the stage and it’s weight support,” he added.
The judging criteria will be based on creativity and uniqueness (40 per cent), talent and technical skill (30 per cent), entertainment value (15 per cent) and overall stage presentation (15 per cent).
The panel of judges will comprise experienced and qualified professionals from the dance, music and entertainment industries in the country.
He noted that the points given by the judges will be confidential. However, any remarks and comments given to each and every contestant will definitely be reasonable and unbiased.
The first and second auditions will be held on July 20 (dancing and others) and July 21 (singing) respectively at MBKS Auditorium with two sessions from 9am to 12pm for dancing, 1pm to 3pm for others and on July 21, 1pm to 3pm for singing category 12 years old and below and 4pm to 6pm for the 13 years old and above.
The semi-final for all three categories will be held on Aug 10 from 7pm to 11pm at the MBKS Theatre. The final will be on Aug 12 from 7pm to 9pm also to be held at the MBKS Theatre.
The closing date for submission of entries is on July 12 by 4.30pm.
Registration forms can be obtained from MBKS’ ground floor (security counter) or MBKS’s 3rd floor (Public Relations Unit). The form can also be obtained from Kuching Got Talent 2019 Facebook Page.
For more information, contact Andrew Tiong at 019-8282095 or Chu at 017-8611800.
Also present were Acting City Secretary Zainab Marzali and this year KGT’s organising chairman Counselor Tan Kay Hock.
