Manx charity Junior Achievement will present the Island’s top young talent in the Grand Final of ‘The Next Big Thing’ on Saturday February 4 at the Gaiety Theatre.
Open to 10 to 18-year-olds the competition, now in its sixth year, offers a unique opportunity to perform on the stage of the Gaiety Theatre in front of a packed house.
Once again Paragon Recruitment is one of the show’s sponsors, joined this year by Energy FM, and the Sefton Group plc.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet is sponsoring the first prize of ?500, Manx Professional and Educational Services Ltd the ?250 prize for the runner-up and The Platform Theatre School the ?150 prize for third place.
In addition to the top three places there will be the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Baker Tilly Isle of Man in memory of Soundcheck youth worker Paul Cooper.
The People’s Choice Award gives the audience an opportunity to vote for their favourite act. The winner will be announced on Junior Achievement’s Facebook page once the votes have been counted.
Out of more than 100 that auditioned, 14 acts will compete to become The Next Big Thing 2017 in a show that promises a mix of contemporary and traditional music, dance and song.
Opening the show will be last year’s winner, Tabitha Templer, who thrilled the audience and the judges with her virtuoso performance on the electric violin.
Junior Achievement’s communications and events coordinator Alex Day said: ‘This year’s show promises to be a fantastic evening of family entertainment that shines the spotlight on some of the island’s truly amazing young talent. We have a great line-up of acts. Selecting the 14 finalists was a real challenge.
‘The Next Big Thing, though, is much more than just a talent competition and great community event. It’s about empowering young people; giving them a chance to grow in confidence and show what they’re capable of in front of what’s probably their biggest audience so far. We’ve also seen how some artists have gone on to develop their performing potential after being involved in the Next Big Thing final. That’s a great legacy in which we’re proud to have played our part.’
Proceeds from the show will help Junior Achievement Isle of Man to deliver its work readiness, financial literacy and entrepreneurship programmes in schools and support young people to become the best they can.
The Next Big Thing 2017, Saturday 4th February 7.30pm at the Gaiety Theatre. (Doors open 7pm)
Tickets from ?13 for under-16s, ?15 for adults on sale now at the Villa Marina box office, villagaiety.com.
To find out more about Junior Achievement visit jaiom.im or follow Junior Achievement Isle of Man on Facebook.
Photo - Winners, finalists and sponsors from the 2016 Next Big Thing grand final. Picture Andrew Barton.
