“Coronado’s Talent,” the community’s biggest variety show, will be hosting its sixth annual showcase at The Coronado Performing Arts Center on March 16.
At least 20 acts, with participants of all ages, will be vying for a part of the $2,000 in prizes and to be crowned the 2023 winners.
This year’s show, run by Alan Kinzel and co-hosted by Larry Delrose, a.k.a. “Mr.Entertainment.” will feature some familiar faces to the “Talent” stage as well as some brand new acts.
The show officially begins at 6:30 p.m. with all net proceeds going to the Coronado Schools Foundation and The Coronado School of the Arts.
In addition to being streamed live, “Coronado’s Talent” is teaming with the foundation’s telethon to raise funds for the school district. The 36th annual telethon will feature a live feed of “Coronado’s Talent” as well as host their own live performances.
Prominent acts return
Meanwhile, three prominent acts are returning to the stage for “Coronado’s Talent.”
They are: Kid Tributes, a rock and roll tribute band of San Diego kids; Bar Bionic, a performance artist and experimental pop singer; and The Coronado Speed Spinners, a competitive jump-roping team renowned for performing on popular television shows such as “Glee” and “American Idol.”
Kid Tributes formed at the start of the Covid pandemic in 2020, originally composed of a pair of siblings and their dad and uncle, and eventually expanding to include child virtuosos on drums, vocals, bass, guitar and keys.
The band performs constantly around San Diego during the summer time, playing a host of popular classic rock songs from the likes of Tom Petty, Billy Joel and Led Zeppelin.
Bar Bionic is an eclectic performance artist, combining post-modern techno aesthetics with experimental pop tunes.
Rocking a wig made of earbuds and data disks for eyes, Bar Bionic combines their extravagant persona, with song and dance, to bring together a unique and dynamic performance.
The Coronado Speed Spinners are a group of Coronado-based competitive youth jump ropers. The team competes in a variety of styles, using single ropes, double dutch and dance to perform elaborate, themed jump roping tricks.
New acts in the mix
There’s a plethora of new acts this year, including storytellers, comedians, accordion players, hip hop dancers, singers and much more, organizers said.
This year’s acts will be judged by Harold Rapoza, general manager of the Hotel del Coronado; Mayor Richard Bailey; trainer Dan Boyle; journalist Jane Mitchell and co-producer and teacher Lisa Kinzel.
This year’s show will be streamed live from Coronado Talent’s website and audience members or streamers can vote for their favorite acts through the JudgeFest app.
In anticipation of the show Kinzel, the creator, producer and co-host said, “We’re on a mission to save the arts and help them thrive. We want [performers] who are really established, but also those who maybe haven’t had a chance to perform. Some performers really step up and give their performance of a lifetime.”
VIP preshow
Food will be provided from 5 to 6:30 p.m. by Garage Bueno Forchetta and Gelato Paradiso before the event and, according to Kinzel, 100% of the proceeds from catering will go to CSF and The Coronado School of the Arts.
“You’re going to have to eat anyway, might as well do it and give back to the community” Kinzel said.
There also is a VIP preshow that will take place across the street at John D. Spreckels center at 5 p.m., and a red carpet event hosted by Tania Luviano of Telemundo will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Correction: An earlier online version listed an incorrect group of judges.
