A SHOW OF TALENT: DRUMMERS, SINGERS, DANCERS
It wasn't exactly American Idol but yesterday area singers and entertainers got the chance to audition to perform during this year's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference basketball tournament.
The tournament is in its second year of a three-year contract to play at Joel Coliseum. It will be held March 8-13.
Tournament officials were looking for national-anthem performers and halftime entertainment. A panel of three judges rated the performers and will recommend which acts should be selected.
The hopefuls included dance groups, a trio of singers, two of whom played ukuleles; and a singer doing a tribute to Michael Jackson. A violinist auditioned for the national anthem.
One of the largest groups was 48 members of the drum line, dance team and cheerleaders from Aycock Middle School in Greensboro.
Chlotilde Jones, a seventh-grade language arts teacher and the cheerleading coach at the school, said that the teams were excited about the possibility of performing at the tournament.
"We wanted to be a part of the tournament," Jones said. "They practice every day and are very involved in the community. We have performed for Martin Luther King Day activities and also the Greensboro Christmas Parade."
One singer auditioning for the national anthem was trying again after not being selected last year.
Khalil Caeser, 12, of Winston-Salem said that he was going to sing Marvin Gaye's version.
"My favorites are The Temptations, Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye," he said.
Khalil has been practicing at home for his brothers and also sings at a recreation center for his friends.
In addition to the ballgames there will be a community day on March 7 at the Hanes Hosiery Recreation Center, and the cheerleading championships will be March 8.
Sonja Stills, the assistant commissioner of MEAC, said that the tournament officials wanted to get the community involved.
"We want the community to come out," she said. "This is our way to connect to the community."
Stills said that the decision as to who will get to perform will be made in about two weeks. Tournament officials have to figure out how groups fit in with other halftime activities such as presentations.
mhall@wsjournal.com
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