THUNDER BAY – Putting back is a concept that is certainly not foreign to Shy-Anne Hovorka. The 2010 Aboriginal People’s Choice Award winner is hosting a concert on Saturday February 12th at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. As if winning the 2010 Female Aboriginal Entertainer of the year wasn’t enough for Shy-Anne Hovorka, Saturday February 12, 2011 will make her dream come true at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. “Helping and honouring youth is something that I have dreamed about over the past few years. I was inspired by elder Dave Courchene to build an event to help youth of all cultures”, said Shy–Anne. “There needed to be more than just touring and performing for myself.”
That is why over the past year Shy-Anne has been on a talent search. Thirty youth performers have shared their style, message and energy over the last year in front of a panel of seven judges. Two judges come from a musical background while the other five are from everyday walks of life. Performers were scored on talent, stage presence and message.
“Talent is only one part of what we are looking for in our youth performers. They must also have a positive message and a leadership quality in their stage presence,” said Shy–Anne.
To cap off this years long journey, five finalists have been selected to share the stage with Shy-Anne, the 2010 Female Aboriginal Entertainer of the year Joey Stylez and the 2010 Hip Hop Album/ Video of the year winner Feenix.
Special guest, Elder Dave Courchene, who sits on the World Peace Round Table with US Peace Senator, Dennis Kusinich been part of the United Nations Table; and been asked to meet with the Dali Lama by request of the Dali Lama, will be speaking at the event. CBC hosts, Lisa Laco and Jolene Banning will be emcees at the event, and Thunder Mountain singers will be opening the show.
Joining these special headliners will be Larissa Desrosiers, Dylan Wiskeychan, Mr. Jourdain, Faith Russell and Melissa Vondrasek.
Larissa (Couchiching First Nation) said “I am very grateful to be able to perform my original song at such an amazing venue. It is a great feeling to perform with such big names in the Aboriginal Music Industry at such a young age. I am excited to be getting more experience in performing, and am ecstatic for the show!”
Mr. Jourdain (Lac LaCroix First Nation) adds, “It feels like its going to change my life in many ways and possibly help me get heard and be out in the world, be positive, and its very good promotion and i love this feeling because I’m going too entertain alot of people in Thunder Bay.”
Melissa from Thunder Bay commented, “This is an amazing experience because we’re all young and we already have an opportunity to perform on the same stage as people who are very successful at this business. It’s a great honor!”
Faith (Thunder Bay) shared, “To perform and entertain for this show is going to be a great experience! A life changing experience :)”
At the end of the show one of the five performer’s dreams will come true and they will be selected to perform and tour with Shy–Anne as a paid working artist.