Seven acts have secured coveted places at the 2016 Wexford Has Talent Final at Clayton Whites Hotel on Saturday, 30 January, while 18 more acts prepare for Semi Final 2 this weekend.
18 semi-finalists took to the stage on Saturday evening, 16 January. The night’s MC George Lawlor welcomed the contestants, judges, and the 300-strong audience and announced that the audience would enjoy a night of spectacular talent.
The seven qualifiers for the Grand Final on Saturday, 30 January are: 11-year-old singer Cormac Cooper from Ballywilliam, dancer Irina Karpenko, singer Charleen Murphy, dance troupe Aurora (all students at the Sheila Grace Dance Company), 12-year-old singer Aoife Goodison, singer-songwriter Rachel Grace, and Wexford band The Gallivants. At least six of the acts yet to take the stage at Semi Final 2 will join them. The semi-final will take place at Clayton Whites Hotel this weekend, Saturday, 23 January.
Commenting on the talent at the first semi-final, judge Carmel Corish Wallace said, “This was a fantastic evening showcasing a variety of talent, the standard was exceptionally high and each and every performer should be very proud of even gaining a place in this evenings competition. All of the judges are very much looking forward to the final, it is going to be a fantastic competition but a tough decision!”
Performers as young as 11 will take to the stage at Semi Final 2, showcasing skills ranging from traditional music and singer-songwriter performances to free running, acrobatic gymnastics, and dance. The acts set to perform on 23 January are: 7 FRET, Tara Doyle Robinson, Eabha Carty, Emma O’Leary, Next Level #4, Chris Berry, Intro, Jirat O’Neill, Bobby Sludds, VYRE, Caroline Fleming, Esther Nwosudocha, Hayley Crosbie, Lauren Doyle, Megan Kate Doolan, Helene Dunne, Rob Donnelly, and Nicole Mannix.
During the 2016 semi-finals and Grand Final, judges will place all acts by vote only, and no paid audience voting will take place. The winners of the inaugural Wexford Has Talent competition, “Fit For Kings”, are set to take to the stage during the Grand Final interval, where they will perform their new single.
Ticket prices are €10 for the second semi-final and €15 for the Grand Final. Both are now on sale at Clayton Whites Hotel or from any member of the Wexford Has Talent organising committee. For further details and Wexford Has Talent news, see Wexfordhastalent.com.