Got talent?

I’m sure I’m not the only gay in the village surprised to see that our community has talent. Doesn’t matter where you turn, there seems to be some member from the gay and lesbian community out there providing the broader society with the cream of their talent in a variety of fields.
The influx of talent shows on television has led to a natural increase in the number of talent shows taking place inside our clubs. Stonewall, The Midnight Shift, Arq and even the Taxi Club are all pumping out fabulous talent quests -“ and they are not all about showgirls. Even singers, dancers, jugglers and dog trainers can get in there and compete for the prizes on offer.
Of course talent quests aren’t new -“ they have been around for a squillion years. I remember heading to the Albury Hotel every Monday to see DIVA legend Simone Troy host her very own talent quest. The brassy hostess would have the audience in stitches as the sea of showgirls crossed the stage. Simone had a hand in helping discover some of Sydney’s leading showgirls, as well as some of the scene’s sexiest dancers -“ and there are still a few out there treading the boards today.
So are these talent quests a good idea or are they a cheap way of getting punters in the door for a bit of fluff and entertainment?
Personally, I love a good talent show because it gives members of our community an opportunity to get up there and have a go. It is a way for them to get noticed and perhaps forge a long and happy career.
And we seem to see some amazing talent as a result -“ and some great prizes as well.
I think it gives performers a stage that they may not usually have access to. They also seem to dig up some amazing talent that, without the push of a friend or the enticement of a huge prize, would still be singing in the shower or dancing around the coffee table. And with prizes such as huge amounts of cash, and trips to Japan etc., why not jump on stage and give it ago?
But are they all good? Can you be guaranteed that it’s going to be fair? Are you going to have to listen to wisecracking hosts or judges who really have no idea what they are talking about?
Where can you see these talent quests and how do you join in? We have Monday nights with me at Stonewall Hotel hosting Stonewall’s Got New Talent -“ first prize is $2,000 cash. We have just seen a hugely successful season of So You Think You Can Model at the Midnight Shift with whispers Australia’s Next Top Drag Queen is in production as we speak. We are also at the tail end of The Taxi’s Got Talent with a first prize over $600.
And I hear on the grapevine Arq has a great talent quest in the pipeline that is just days away from being launched. Details are hush-hush at the moment, but I will keep digging.