San José Public Library Invites Teens to Showcase Their Talent

Teens’ Creative Impulses Are Encouraged Through a Fun Activity

That Strengthens Self-Confidence and Poise

SAN JOSE, Calif.— Hey teens! Can you sing? Dance? Juggle? Tell some funny jokes? Show off your unique talent and maybe even win cash prizes by competing in the Teen Talent Show sponsored by San José Public Library.  

The activity will have two rounds: regional competitions and a final contest.  Regional competitions will be held on the following dates and locations:

Saturday, April 23, 2011

·         12:00 p.m.  – Berryessa Branch Library, 3355 Noble Ave., (408) 808-3050

·         2:00 p.m. – West Valley Branch Library, 1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd., (408) 244-4747

·         2:00 p.m. – Santa Teresa Branch Library, 290 International Cir., (408) 808-3068

·         2:00 p.m. – Joyce Ellington Branch Library, 491 E . Empire St., (408) 808-3043

Saturday, April 30, 2011

·         2:00 p.m. - Cambrian Branch Library, 1780 Hillsdale Ave., (408) 808-3080

·         2:00 p.m. - Evergreen Branch Library, 2635 Aborn Rd., (408) 808-3060

Cash prizes of $50, $25 and $10 will be awarded to the top three winners at each of the branch competitions.  The top two winners from each location will be invited to continue on to the final contest on Saturday, May 21 to be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Community Room at the Almaden Branch Library and Community Center (6445 Camden Ave.). Winners of the final round will take home $250, $150 and $50 for first, second and third place, respectively. 

The competition is open to teens 12 to 18 years old and competing groups may include up to 10 performers. Routines should be indoor-friendly, about five minutes long and appropriate for a diverse audience of all ages. Contestants are expressly advised to avoid including obscene or offensive content. Performances will be judged using a 10-point scale on the following categories: stage presence, originality, audience response, and professionalism. The decision of the judges is final.

Registration packets will be available at all San José Public Library locations. Participants must submit their registration form at the one location where they want to compete. For more information, visit the contest web page at www.sjpl.org/TeenTalentShow or call (408) 808-2175. 

About San José Public Library

San José Public Library system (SJPL) is the largest public library system between San Francisco and Los Angeles, serving a culturally diverse population of approximately 1,023,000 in the nation’s 10th largest city.  SJPL is recognized across the country for its innovation and leadership in the field and is one of the busiest library systems nationwide, with an annual checkout rate of nearly 15 million items.