Even the Art Fart was blown away by “Century’s Got Talent”

Saffi: Animatronic or Real? You decide...we think she's adorable.

What a wonderful surprise! To be so entertained and buoyed by chutzpah, passion and the pure love that radiated around the stage at Century Ballroom’s fledgling local showcase: “Century’s Got Talent”. Consisting mostly of supportive and enthusiastic family members (blended and traditional, all cheering on their kin), this was a true community event. Unique and delightful to have Grandma sitting next to BFF’s (two purple-haired boys), next to Dad with his precious angel upon his lap, next to professorial super-nerds who could barely take their gaze from the iphone. This was one of the most fun and special events I’ve experienced since learning how to tie a knot in one of Mom’s Hermes scarves and performing ‘The Gypsy Dance’ for gathered relatives. Look for the Finals to be played out in the Ballroom’s Grand arena come September. Got talent? You better bring it! Want to be entertained? Guaranteed!

So here’s how it went: Amateur performers of all ages, some on stage for the very first time, some with obvious practiced professional trajectory and still others with simply a burning desire to show off, gave it their all. Sweet, funny, odd and awesome; also beautiful testament and nutritious playground for learning and recognition. The dramatic, tantalizing arc of witnessing performers do their thing, energized by the focus of a large room, to then be ‘judged’ by the three eminent local luminaries parked at a table with lists, a mic, their very own spot light and something to say. Wade Madsen, Allison Cockrill and Shaun Knilttel each took great pains to express enthusiasm and teaching points. Each speaking so eloquently, giving honest, generous, sometimes telling, even surprisingly severe critique. What a terribly hard job! The lessons that were lumped upon and surgically placed spoke so well of the experience and well meaning support these seasoned professionals unstintingly provided. This real time feed back from heavy weights was a gift we all received and it was euphoric to see kids big and small benefit from the insight. The combination of these three was a master stroke that elevated the venue and everyone in the room, speaking so well of the qualities of talent and embarrassment of riches we have here in Seattle.

The fun of watching the eclectic juxtaposition of divergent acts kept the show fresh and edgy. Pretty, young Emma expressing her burning soul (if in untrained expressive outpouring of feeling), following her own inner guide of how movement needed to happen with a wavering series of turns into wild reaching and dramatic posing, was my personal favorite simply for her brevity and natural elegance at such a young age. She exuded real talent and it was thrilling to watch her come alive on stage. Jump to Caesar, a ‘drag king’ three times her age illustrated with tribal ink, working the severe mohawk, studded codpiece and dark, aggressive stare that says: “Take it Bitch” lip sink for her life amongst seated Moms and Dads. A cute, Dallas Cheerleader wannabe silver medalist in a mini-skirt bouncing around on a Unicycle! Pause here and just imagine for a moment sitting at stage level…are you there? A perky broadway-bound showgirl who could almost belt out those high notes, could almost kick as high as she wanted to and make those spot turns in a straight(ish), line. Didn’t knock over the prop stool, but nudged it, didn’t fall down but could have. Her face was so bright, like a polished apple; her ernest reaching so game and her everything just slightly off. Poignant, beautiful and painful. Heart warming and teeth gritting.

First place winners: the Tap group: “Premiere” really were quite remarkable. Their quirky personalities, camaraderie and team work raised the bar and the entire show with it. Transporting the well studied and almost ancient dance form into new territory with super legible, clean beats, a rolling and building melody of percussion that bounced back and forth, their interaction and expressions were almost the best part of the fun. Visible, snarky back and forth, asides and winks…a communication that just kept the group tight and on fire. Great performers all, they announced an upcoming show and yo people, GO SEE THEM. They’re really fantastic.

Straight out of a Cirque-du-Soleil dream (and Teatro Zinzanni’s school for the Circus Arts), second place winner Saffi is a polished, professional cameo of a animatronic Victorian doll who can also contort herself in any direction without hesitation. I know kids are limber but JEsus. Ouch! Poised, stoic and elegant beyond her years, while bent double and almost inside-out, I wonder about her digestive tract! Excuse me…I need to go touch my toes for a moment so the ham strings don’t atrophy. OK. OMG that hurts! Sitting down immediately.

Paul took third with his lilting, original and personal piano composition that he described in a brief introduction as a love letter. Definitely felt the love and also hate him because he’s got such amazing teeth! That beaming smile and projectile charm will be quite the selling point as he solidifies his place on stage.

One of the highlights was also one of the weirdest. (Oops…is my crack showing?). Apparently the first to apply for the competition, three junior high hotties who coined the evocative stage name of: “Skisters” ( just sounds nasty and bad, right!?), performed an unrepentantly sloppy series of of ‘hair-ography’ in Daisy Dukes. Not coordinated and barely able to keep balance, they stumbled around to pounding music and flipped that MF’n hair over here…over there! Hair! Flipping! Yeah! Duuuude! Gold medal for CRAzay.

The whole kit-and-caboodle was patched seamlessly together by affable and uber cool host Hallie (Century Ballroom’s MC), who gave the program such a sense of finish and purpose. The whole package was an unqualified delight and should build into a Seattle institution. I’m inspired to work up an act: maybe something with HAIR!

Editor’s Note: “Century’s Got Talent” returns Saturday, September 17th at Century Ballroom on Capitol Hill.

Eric Pitsenbarger is The Art Fart: “I’ve managed to live a really interesting life of minor success, spectacular failures and occasional peril. I’m a freelance graphic designer / illustrator and love many things and many people. As a cock-eyed optimist, I see beauty everywhere…except when it’s just fugly. I’ll probably explode someday from laughing so much.”