PRESQUE ISLE, MAINE — Seven talented acts from the Presque Isle area are closer to the 2017 Northern Star title following a weekend of regional events in the United Way of Aroostook’s popular annual talent competition.
On Saturday, March 4, at the Presque Isle Middle School Auditorium, the Ashland duet of Cassidy Pelletier and Brandon Dorr, singer Caroline Woods of Presque Isle and dancer Makayla Shackett of Washburn were selected to advance to the finale, slated Sunday, March 19 in Caribou.
Three “wildcard” acts, selected from all contestants in the Fort Kent, Presque Isle and Houlton shows, will join them. They are singers Jacob Graham of Mapleton and Eric Gustin of Caribou, along with the Moondance Studios cloggers group featuring Emily Simonds, Kimberly Cook, Anna Mautz, Rachel Ellis, Emma Crouse, Jaidyn Blake, Sadie Kinney, Julea Gorneault, Katelyn Amero and Rossalyn Buck.
This year organizers added a bit of a twist to the shows. Whereas previously the event featured only singers, this time all types of talents were invited to take the stage. The formula seemed to work.
“I think it went over well, and it really gave people of all disciplines a chance to showcase their talent,” said Sherry Locke, United Way executive director. “In Presque Isle we had the biggest audience that we’ve had in years. Nearly 400 people were there. Energy was high and the judges were great.”
Pelletier and Dorr won the Spirit of the United Way spot, a new category based on sponsorship dollars earned. They performed “Northern Downpour” by Panic! at the Disco, accompanying themselves on a variety of instruments.
Woods of Presque Isle, who sang and played the piano to Sofia Karlberg’s “Crazy in Love,” was the audience pick for the evening, while Washburn’s Shackett earned the judges’ pick for her lyrical dance to “Poison and Wine” by the Civil Wars.
Coincidentally, said Locke, the three additional wildcard performers just happened to be from the Presque Isle show, chosen based on community support, talent and variety.
In Fort Kent on March 3, singers Christine Robinson, Cady Hebert and Jennifer Raymond and Ukrainian beatboxer George Safonov were chosen to advance. On Sunday, March 5, in Houlton, violinist Hope Chernesky, singer Sidney Peabody and rap band Verbal Assault, featuring Chuck Grim, Chris Moran and Charles Long, cemented spots in the finale.
Locke said Monday Northern Star has become a popular key event for the local United Way.
“It’s one of our biggest fundraisers, and it’s important to us because it is a county-wide event and we are a county-wide organization, so it really gives us a chance to showcase talent from throughout Aroostook County and travel throughout Aroostook County.”
This year saw another twist as humorous advertising leading up to the regional contests featured Locke and emcee Jason Parent seeking a co-host. When well-known personalities “bombed,” a mystery co-host won approval. That co-host turned out to be WAGM-TV’s Katie Zarrilli.
“She was perfect,” said Locke. “She could not have done a better job.”
Judges were Abby Ireland of Townsquare Media, Dixie Shaw of Catholic Charities Maine and Jerry Joles, volunteer tax preparer for the UWA.
“Something I really loved — the panel of judges were really United Way supporters, so it really highlighted the work that we do,” said Locke. “When I looked over at them, it was definitely special that they also support the United Way and this large fundraiser as well.”
All the chosen performers will unite Sunday, March 19, at the Caribou Performing Arts Center at 2 p.m., where the audience will choose the 2017 Northern Star.
After everyone performs, the audience will “save” two and the judges will pick one, and those three acts will offer a second number. From those, the audience will choose the final winner.
Tickets are available at all County Federal Credit Union and Acadia Federal Credit Union branches for $10.
