Coca-Cola Teen Talent kicks off today

AuditionS for the popular Coca-Cola Teen Talent take place today at the Divali Nagar Site, Charlieville, Chaguanas at 10 am. Registration starts at 9 am. This competition, which is  a major part of the annual Divali celebrations hosted by the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) has been sponsored by Coca-Cola for the past 11 years. Chief coordinator of this event, Surujdeo Mangaroo told Sunday Newsday that the competition has entered its 12th year (with this year’s auditions). He noted that through the years, this programme saw  hundreds of talented youths from throughout TT at the various auditions held in rural districts.

The Penal songstress, Kamala Budri has taken the Coca-Cola plaque and the first prize on three occasions. The final competition saw a large number of youthful dancers and musicians as well. Mangaroo also said that Canada’s celebrated gazal singer, Dev Bansraj Ramkissoon will be making a special guest appearance at this year’s event. He also said that NCIC is now in the process of contracting an award-winning dancer from Bangladesh to make an appearance at the grand final competition which is due to take place on November 8 at the Divali Nagar.

The competition will be held under the patronage of President George Maxwell Richards. The next auditions for this contest will also be held at the Tableland Government School on September 26. Interested teens are asked to look out for auditions at the later venue — La Fortune Community Centre on October 3. All auditions start at 10 am. The semi-final round is due to take place at the Nagar on October 9 and 15 teens will be selected for the grand final competition where $25,000 will be given away in prize money, the first prize being $10,000.