RECAP: 2016 Big Joe Jersey Talent Show

A rainy and dreary Sunday postponed the Talent Show to Monday night, but that didn't stop people from coming out to watch the first round of the Semi-Finals! The weather turned out to be pleasantly warm with a nice breeze as the sun began to set. The audience, weather, and (of course) the talent made the first round of semi-finals a memorable one.

This time around, it was the celebrity judges' decision to choose which contestants would move onto Finals on September 4th. As always, the decision was a difficult one to make, as all of our contestants gave it their all and really shined on stage with their singing, dancing, and playing their instruments. That being said, two contestants actually tied for a winning spot which is the first time in the show's history this has happened. Instead of the usual five contestants moving onto finals, there were six: Nicholas Blum, Ava Giglia, Kristen Harvey, Dominique "Fruithoopgypsy" Senia, Kayla Raparelli, and Deena Alberti. Congratulations!

Also, I’d like to say thank you to our sponsors, who we wouldn’t be able to do the talent show without. Portrait Recording Studios, who is giving out a priceless grand prize of a recording package, which includes full audio recording and mixing for a single song, a recorded and edited video for that song, and much more! World Wide Piano of Edison, who is giving away an acoustic Hallet Davis & Co. 45″ studio piano. And BuyDig.com, who gets to spend every Sunday night with the Jersey Prize Team, giving out beach goodies and coupons for their website, which sells almost every electronic imaginable and offers free shipping! And the gorgeous trophies that will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place performers are donated by Ironbound Trophies of Lacey.There's only one more week of semi-finals on August 28th and then the talented winners will advance to FINALS on September 4th. You don't want to miss these last two shows, so come and cheer on Jersey's most talented entertainers at Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant!

This was written by the Talent Coordinator Intern Lauren Raposa. While being a reliable and energetic intern with NJ 101.5, she is also a passionate undergraduate student at Rutgers University who dreams of working in the entertainment business.