No fear. No butterflies. No hesitation whatsoever. Since her debut at 21/2, Hannah Pike of Salisbury has never gotten nervous when performing at the annual Yankee Homecoming Kids Talent Showcase — and yesterday was no different.
“My favorite place is on stage,” said Hannah, now 9.
Clad in a pink newsboy cap and bedazzled white leggings, Hannah performed the apt, “I’ve Got Nerve” and “Shake Your Tail Feather” with Kathy’s Tumbleweeds dancers at the unjudged celebration of local talent on Market Landing Park.
About 37 local kids sang, danced and played instruments at the 15-year-old Yankee Homecoming tradition, emceed by Amesbury Veterans Agent Ron Koontz. For their bravery, kids received coupons for free pizza from Domino’s, free ice cream from Not Your Average Joe’s, a free soda from Coca-Cola and a free T-shirt from Yankee Homecoming.
Organized by Newburyport native Kathy Heywood, more than 100 people brought out their chairs and blankets to watch as kids ages 6 to 18 performed. Even the threat of rain could not dampen their enthusiasm — though halfway through the show, the sun did make an appearance.
Some, like Hannah, were veterans of the event. Her mom, Jennifer, thinks the event completely changed Hannah’s life, imbuing her with a confidence Jennifer didn’t have at that age.
“In her life, it’s the world, it’s everything,” said the 38-year-old. “She talks about it all year long. This is a pretty big day for her.”
Many first-timers battled nerves when they walked onto that stage. Newbury’s Maureen Moore, who opened the show with her clarinet solo of “America,” found a way around the butterflies she experienced minutes before performing.
“Thinking about after it’s over,” said the 12-year-old.
First-time showcasers Jesse Brouillette, 73/4, and Jonathan Jalajas, 8, didn’t have to battle stage fright when they sang the Barenaked Ladies’ “If I Had A Million Dollars” with Jesse’s dad, Dave, 43, and brother Erik, 14, both backing them on guitar.
The pint-sized duo had performed it before in front of crowds with Dave’s band, Don’t Call Me Shirley. Not only did they know the lyrics, they even had the song’s “patter” between lyrics down.
“It was the best song because we knew we could do it,” Jesse said.
Disney’s Hannah Montana soundtrack spawned a few acts during the show, including that of Courtney Lehan, 8, and her friend, Meghan Timony, 9. The Newburyport girls grooved and lip-synced in matching pink baby-doll shirts and black gaucho pants to Hannah Montana’s “Life Is What You Make It.”
“I like the music because it’s sassy,” Courtney said.
Likewise, Adams sisters Zoe, 10, and Avery, 7, of Newburyport performed the classical piece “Song of the Wind” on flute and violin respectively, in matching green tank tops and pink shorts.
Dylan Wack chose U2’s “Angel of Harlem” because it’s one of his favorite songs by the Irish rockers.
“I got up there and I was scared to death,” said the 11-year-old, who felt better as he started singing. “I got more confident.”
Old-school romantic Ryan Partlan, 7, of Plum Island, crooned the classic “Moon River” backed by his 19-year-old sister, Sierra. Ryan hears the song every night before he goes to bed, so he was confident he could do it.
“It’s a great song, my mom and sister sing it to me a lot at bedtime,” Ryan said.
Newburyport’s Claire Warner, 9, recruited her dad Rob and his ukulele for The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Do You Believe in Magic?” and 83/4-year-old Julianne Freeman of Georgetown delivered a sweet rendition of “Rainbow Connection.”
“It was such a lovely song,” said Julianne, who found the classic online.
Meghan Stanton, 10, Eliza Filipancic, 10, and Emma Filipancic, 7, — all of Newburyport — thought about being part of the show but didn’t have time to practice much, so they hung out and watched everyone perform.
“We thought we were really bad,” Meghan said.
But following the show — and after helping sing “God Bless America” for the finale — the trio felt inspired.
“It was really good,” said Eliza, holding her thumb up. “I really want to do it next year.”
Local News
Girls shake their feathers at Kids Talent Showcase
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