Community Corner

Talent Showcase to Raise Money for Pillars Social Service Agency

The annual Party for Pillars fundraising month for the local social service agency is back with lots of events to look forward to, including a talent showcase.

Auditions were completed and there are 18 semifinalists. This multi-round singing competition gives local artists the chance to shine and allows one lucky winner to walk away with a $500 cash prize and the title of Pillars Talent Showcase Champion. 

This event is a component of Party for Pillars, the mental health and social service agency’s month-long celebration to fundraise for their vital programming within our communities. 

“This has been a very educational and exciting journey,” said Heather Alderman, Vice President for Advancement at Pillars. “As part of the process, we had the opportunity to hear these artists sing live – and while their videos are great, their live performances were even better.  I definitely have more respect for vocal artists as a result of this experience!” 

The semifinalists, who range in age from 14 to their 50’s, represent a wide range of musical genres, from Broadway musicals to pop to hard rock. Geographically, the contestants hail from Chicago, Berwyn, La Grange, Naperville and points in between. 

The semifinalists are: Ann Boyle; Daniel Bochlas; Sandra Braschler; Sean Cantorna; Cara Mia Cicciarelli; Josie Dunne; the Nora Ellis Group; Mia Fallara; Aaron Fox & the Reliables; Jeremiah Higgins; Daniel Lockett; Katie O’Connell and Colette Kocek; Leanne Palmer; Streetlights; Zak Vrhel;  Maggie Wimp; the Who's Who Band; and Jennifer Zimnowski. 

The next step is for the public to winnow the list from 18 semifinalists to 12 finalists. Everyone is invited to view the contestants’ videos and cast their votes online by going to www.PillarsTalentShowcase.com.  

Voting will close at 5pm on Wednesday June 5. 

On Thursday, June 6 at the Party for Pillars Kickoff Celebration at La Grange Country Club, WGN News Anchor Mark Supplesa will announce the 12 finalists.

Tickets for the Kickoff Celebration are available atwww.PartyforPillars.com, where you can also find the complete list of the 2013 Party for Pillars events. The 12 finalists will then go on to perform at the showcase’s live concert performance June 22 at Lyons Township High School’s Reber Center. 

Dan Ponce, of WGN News will be among the celebrity judges. Ponce, a Chicagoland native, is a general assignment reporter for WGN News. Ponce is known to a cappella fans around the world as the founder, first music director, and former member of the hit band Straight No Chaser. He is currently one of the producers of Gentleman’s Rule, another a capella group. 

Tickets to the showcase are $20 for adults and $10 for guests 18 and under. The concert performance will be from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 22.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Western Springs