So, for the past 6 months or so, I've been chipping away at an assignment from the stake presidency-- I'm the stake music chairperson right now--yikes!! Loosely put, my assignment was to put together a fun music-filled evening. January, I got a little more clarity and some recommendations for acts, February we picked a fun theme and kicked it into overdrive, and March 7 was our show! Thanks to A LOT of help from people who know a lot more about what it takes to make a show look good than I do, it turned out pretty decent. And best of all-- it was a lot of fun!! We did a play on those goofy shows like "America's Got Talent" and had a host and three "judges" who read from scripts as they sent acts "through to the next round" or blew little party horns, held up their "strike" signs and sent acts like "Superheroes Parkour" off the stage with "better luck next time." It was a hoot! The spoof acts were hilarious, the real acts were amazing, and we were even lucky enough to have a live band, professional barbershoppers, and a middle school and high school bring their show choirs to perform for us! Woohoo! My right hand tech man, Dennis Gardner (just happens to be in my ward too!) --his wife-- made a fun photo album of the show and emailed it to me! So, without further ado-- here's what I've been up to for the past couple of months!
If you were unable to attend the Variety Show-
You really missed a wonderful evening…but there will be another next year. So till that time, enjoy the show via still shots. (yep, pretty sure they've already got me roped in for another year and another show!)
Good evening everyone! Welcome to the East Stake’s Got Talent!
My name is Brother Richard Hollingsworth and I will be your host.
The Judges:
You might know him as the man who keeps you awake at 6:00 am-watch out he might make you quote a scripture mastery! Here to keep you awake tonight it’s Brother Val Steed!
Our next judge has 13 grandkids, though she doesn’t look it! She danced back in her day and as her Beehives probably know, can throw a sweet party.
Please welcome Sister Debbie Nelson.
The son of a professional trumpet player, he grew up with music in his home. One of the classiest guys we know—it’s Brother Paul Rhuebottom!
Our first contestant is Braydon Pikyavit
accompanied by Grace Haeun Kim.
Braydon played a spectacular violin masterpiece!
She sings, she plays multiple instruments,
and she writes her own music.
Chelsea Olson performed her own song “Honeyglow”
She and Brother Hollingsworth take in all the judges’ comments and Chelsea is thrilled to hear
“Come get your ticket”!
Abbey was called out of the choir to introduce the group.
We are the “Harney Middle School Solid Sound Show Choir.” This group performed show tunes along with wonderful dance moves which moved them successfully to the next round.
A special thank you to their School Choir Director and the parents that brought these fine young people to the show.
Piney-Pinecone Hats may not be on QVC, but that didn’t stop the Sister-Cousins from making a full-out sales presentation!
Sister Vicki Gifford and Sister Laurie Steed presented the many uses for the versatile Piney-Pinecone Hat and never let the blaring horns accompanied by the big old X, not once, not twice but three times interrupt their sales pitch. They were disappointed not to have made it to the next round… I think the audience was relieved! Way to go Sister-Cousins it takes courage and a great sense of humor to have pulled this one off….especially after the rumor was out there that after girls camp they were retired…well never say never when it comes to the fortitude of the Sister-Cousins!
This group can serenade you while you shave. Yes, it’s Steve Salmon and the Barbershoppers of Fremont Street. They used their singing talents to wow over Judge Debbie, but before the judging could be done a smooth operator entered from stage right with a bogus call on the cell phone for his dear old dad. While Brother Salmon was distracted with his “call”, his son slide right in place and they struck up another Barbershop Quartet song! They received a great round of applause along with a ticket to the next round.
Playing the Pocket Trumpet Christie Gifford performed “Carnival of Venice”
Judges commented:
“You are a virtuoso with that trumpet.”
“Bravo!”
“That was amazing! Come get your ticket!!!”
Kofford and Sons had some interesting “super powers” to share with the audience. The judges were a bit tongue tied, but graciously closed this skit with “better luck next time”.(This was the first time I saw their act--haha! They were pretty hysterical! When the judges tried to blow their horns, "Superman" gave them some cash to keep going! One of them wiggled his way through the seat and back of a chair, we saw some leap-frog, and lots of jumping off of chairs to shouts of "parkour!" At the end, "Spiderman" silly-stringed the judges! It was great!)
Elizabeth Chavez is a mother of 5 and originally from Ensenada. She earned her way to the next round by performing “I Will Always Love You”. (When I first found out about this act, I was super nervous--this is NOT an easy song. But, Sister Chavez blew everyone away! Whew!)
Did you know we have our own Beach Boys in the East Stake?
The Stake Presidency Plus Two did an awesome job with “We Get Around” derived from the Beach Boy’s song “I Get Around”.
They rocked the house and even had a couple “groupies” fawning at their feet…the Sister-Cousins J
Round, round, get around, we get around…
We get around from ward to ward.
We’re a real cool group; oh, have we got the scoop….
Winterwood, Ensign, we get around.
Stallion Mountain, Parkdale, we get around.
Vegas Valley, Vegas Manor, we get around.
Desert Inn, Gateway, we get around.
Las Vegas High School’s Spectrum was the final act. Red and black sparkling costumes, smiles and wonderful choreography were just the beginning of the fantastic performance they shared with the impressed audience. Without a doubt they moved onto the next round!
A special thank you is extended to their Choir Director and their parents who brought these fine young people to share their talents with us!
The Reunion Band performed again at the end of the show. They had the crowd on their feet, clapping right along with the beat of some awesome songs! (This band was AMAZING!! They were so generous to play for us-- opening music, a short medley in the middle, and closing music. Everything the played was just incredible-- Mumford & Sons, Santana, country songs, etc. LOVED the acoustic sound with guitars and banjos and a mandoline.)
Sister Lisa MacKay, Director, orchestrated a wonderful evening for us all enjoy. A huge round of applause to her for the many, many hours she invested in the Variety Show! Thank you Lisa!!!
An event of this caliber cannot be accomplished without the willingness, talent and hard work of the ones behind the scenes.
Thank You
Dennis Gardner-- COULD NOT have done this show without him!
Sara Van Buskirk-- my right arm, script co-writer, and sounding board!
Harrison Farnes
Austin Page
Samantha Mount
Joseph Umanzor
Isaac Salmon
Moriah Payton
Grandma turned 97 this February. Since last October, she's been living with my mom and recently her health has taken a steep decline. Sometimes she is lucid, but more and more old age and dementia have begun to take their toll. Jason was looking at a possible break between jobs, so we hoped and planned and decided to travel north-- possibly for the last time before she passes. 
