Winnipeg performers will showcase their talents and be judged

The number of people with exceptional entertainment skills is incredible. I wanted to do something unique, and somehow tie all these people together.

—Shira Bellan, event organizer

Shira Bellan is a Winnipeg music promoter who loves the vast talent pool that exists in our city. To celebrate it, she's producing her first Talent or No Talent Show at the Gas Station Theatre on February 8.  

There will be 22 acts on the bill, and each will have no more than five minutes to wow six judges with their singing, dancing, acting, musicianship, and comedic stylings.

"The number of people with exceptional entertainment skills is incredible. I wanted to do something unique, and somehow tie all these people together," said Bellan.

The Talent or No Talent judges are: MJ Dandeneau, Andréanne Dandeneau, Amber Neilson, Michael Silver, Rebecca Kemp, and Heitha Forsyth.  

"These people are staples in the Manitoba art and design scene," said Bellan, adding "I've always been very involved in the Manitoba music scene so putting this show together was just a matter of getting all the performers to commit, which turned out to be relatively easy."

The independent and driven promoter will award cash prizes to the first, second and third place winners - cash that will come from her own pocket.

"I just thought it would be a nice incentive. I am also aware how hard these entertainers work and often make little to no money," she said, citing a good paying gig is somewhere between $400 and $600. "Split between a five-piece band, that doesn't pay the bills."

The 26-year-old Bellan says she has never put a show this big together. Her expertise lies in pairing bands and DJs together. But with this show she is hoping some of the performers will make new friends and professional connections.

"My biggest goal for the show is to properly showcase how vast the talent is in Winnipeg. There are so many talented individuals in this city, it constantly blows my mind."