Spotlight shines on local performers at Cairns Has Talent

More than 100 Far North singers, dancers and musicians will take to the stage at Tanks Art Centre tonight at the annual Cairns Has Talent showcase.

Cairns Has Talents is a talent variety show at the Tanks Arts Centre on Saturday, May 4. Indian dancers Dhanya Shaj and Harman Kaur, singer songwriter Greg Schill, Sambalicious drummers Taciano Cavalcante, Amanda Butler and Devante Cavalcante and Latin dancers Suresh Kesavan and Carolina Contreras will all perform separate acts, starting at 6pm at the Tanks. Picture: Brendan Radke

More than 100 Far North singers, dancers and musicians will take to the stage at Tanks Art Centre on Saturday night at the annual Cairns Has Talent showcase.

Cairns Has Talent organiser Aju Matthew said the event, which kicks off at 6pm tonight, would be an unforgettable evening filled with music, dance, spoken word, and other captivating acts.

“The Cairns Has Talent show aims to celebrate the rich cultural diversity and artistic prowess that thrives within the Cairns region,” Mr Matthew said.

Taking the stage for the first time in his 60s, singer-songwriter Greg Schill is proving age is no barrier to achieve one’s dream.

“I’ve never played to a crowd this big before. I grew up with music. I always loved singing but never took it further. Then a few months ago, I wrote my first song,” Mr Schill said.

Cairns Has Talents is a talent variety show at the Tanks Arts Centre on Saturday, May 4. Singer songwriter Greg Schill, Indian dancers Dhanya Shaj and Harman Kaur, Sambalicious drummers Taciano Cavalcante, Amanda Butler and Devante Cavalcante and Latin dancers Suresh Kesavan and Carolina Contreras will all perform separate acts, starting at 6pm at the Tanks. Picture: Brendan Radke

“About six months ago, I got up on stage at Elixir Bar for the first time. I was very nervous, but I kept at it for six months, every Wednesday night. They say Willie Nelson didn’t make it big until he was 60, so I might have a chance.”

Taking the stage at Cairns Has Talent for the second time, Latin folk dancer Carolina Contreras said her group’s performance would include male dancers for the first time.

“Last year, we performed with only girls. This time, we have four boys so we can do couples dances. We have dancers from Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and non-Latin dancers too, so it will be a lot of fun,” Ms Contreras said.

Ms Contreras said she hoped the performance would inspire the audience to join them on the dancefloor.

“I hope the audience gets adrenaline and I hope they want to dance with us. We are going to invite them to dance and try to give the South American energy,” Ms Contreras said.

Tickets will be available at the door.

Originally published as Spotlight shines on local performers at Cairns Has Talent