Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

Local Talent Hits the Stage at Rising Star

By A. Lee Graham and Scott Price

Staff Writers

When Taylor Houtman takes the Roanoke stage on Oct. 11, the Southlake girl hopes to dazzle new audiences.

"I’m excited and I’m nervous," said Taylor, 10, a fourth-grader at Old Union Elementary School in Southlake.

Though young, Taylor already has entertained audiences from Grapevine to Southlake and hopes to win over new fans in Roanoke. Each day, she returns from school and rehearses Change by Taylor Swift and Crazy Dreams by Carrie Underwood.

She figures going country will go a long way toward winning new fans.

"Her range is as good as some high school kids," boasts Jay Houtman, Taylor’s father.

More than 20 performers will sing at the event on Saturday, which is reserved for performers younger than 21.

Amy Radford, Roanoke’s marketing manager, said the performers had to submit a recording or video to be selected for the Rising Star event.

"No, we have some great performers here," she said.

Colleyville resident Holley Jacobson, 12, said Rising Star will be a new experience for her.

"I have never sung in something like this before," she said. "I’m excited, but I am a little bit nervous."

Robyn Jacobson, Holley’s mother, said her daughter has been taking singing lessons for two years, and Rising Star is an opportunity to get some performance experience.

Holley will sing three songs, including the title song from the musical Mama Mia.

Grapevine resident Christy Merrick said her daughter, Lexy, 7, takes singing lessons at their church in Grapevine.

"She has a voice on her," Christy said. "She can really belt it out. She loves performing in front of people."

The young ladies are just three of many younger performers who will take the stage at the Roanoke event on Oct. 11. Beginning at 10:15 a.m., the Rising Star lineup also features Sarah Faris of Southlake.The performances resume in the afternoon after a 12:15 p.m. pie auction..

At least 10,000 revelers are expected for Celebrate Roanoke, triple the turnout from 2006 when the annual festival expanded from a modest gathering behind the Community Center. But with live music, several sponsors and participation from other cities, what started small grows each year.

The events will take place downtown on Oak Street, near Travis.

"Plus we have some pretty unique things," said Radford, referring to historic reenactments and storytellers as well as karaoke from 6 to 8 p.m., with Roanoke Mayor Carl "Scooter" Gierisch Jr. set to sing the first song.

Among Main Stage events are staged gunfights, a street dance and Imagination Station.

More information about Celebrate Roanoke is available at 817-491-2411.