Heights' Got Talent takes place Aug. 17

On Sunday, Aug. 17, Motorcars Honda and Toyota will present Heights’ Got Talent at Cain Park’s Evans Amphitheater. Like its reality-TV namesake, the local talent show will feature a variety of acts competing for prizes. The difference will be that the performers could be your friends and neighbors.

Motorcars is hosting the event to enable Heights residents to showcase their talents and bring the community together, and the company is giving away up to $10,000 in cash and prizes, both for participants and for audience members.

“The Heights is artistic and diverse,” said Trevor Gile, general manager for Motorcars Honda. “We know there are a lot of talented people in the Heights, and we thought this would be a fun way to celebrate that.”

According to Christy Hurles, marketing associate at Motorcars, local celebrity judges—including Allan Licht, a local music coach and composer who has performed with and written songs for several national artists; James Henke, a music writer who has written several books and worked for Rolling Stone magazine; and Chuck Gile, owner of Motorcars—will use a point system to determine the winners, similar to the one used on TV’s “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Rick Smith Jr. will emcee the event. Dr. U. R. Awesome, the bubble guy, will add to the entertainment.

The first place winner will receive $1,000 in cash, $1,500 toward the purchase of a new Honda or Toyota, and a two-year free Platinum Rewards Package from Motorcars. The second place winner will receive $500 in cash, $1,000 toward the purchase of a new Honda or Toyota, and a one-year free Platinum Rewards Package from Motorcars. The third place winner will receive $250 in cash, $500 toward the purchase of a new Honda or Toyota, and a one-year free Platinum Rewards Package from Motorcars.

Gile added, “We are in the process of finalizing the remaining prizes, and I am confident that all in attendance will be extremely happy they attended the event.”

The free show begins at 7 p.m., and while no ticket is necessary for open seating, Heights residents can stop by Cain Park, Motorcars Honda and Toyota, Tommy’s and other participating locations prior to the event to pick up a ticket for preferred seating closer to the stage, which is also a raffle ticket. Drawings will be held before the show and during intermission for one of five $100 gift cards and several gift certificates for free oil changes, car washes and vehicle detailing at Motorcars. Raffle ticket holders must be present to win.

Gile said that Motorcars is looking for a wide variety of talents—singing, dancing, magic, comedy, dramatic monologue, juggling, yo-yo tricks, mime, gymnastics, reciting poetry or playing an instrument. However, he noted that participants must keep the content family-friendly and that contest rules prohibit the use of fire in the acts.

To enter, participants must upload a video to YouTube or Vimeo and register at the Heights’ Got Talent website. Children under the age of 18 must have permission of a parent or guardian to participate. Motorcars will validate all entries and the public will vote for their favorite acts.

The deadline for registration is Aug. 8, and online voting will begin at midnight on Aug. 9. Those receiving the most votes during the 48-hour online-voting period will be selected to perform in the Aug. 17 live event.

For more information and to register, visit www.heightsgottalent.com.