Cape May’s Hotel and Guest Night Talent Show Aug 27

Showcases all types of talent for a good cause

Reviving a Cape May tradition of the 1940s and ‘50s when hotel staff and summer residents would put on performances for each other, this year’s Cape May summer employees, residents and visitors present a one-of-kind talent show on Monday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. in Cape May Convention Hall, Beach Drive at Stockton Place.

Several Cape May arts organizations are now in their seventh year of coming together to revive this community event, which last year filled Convention Hall. Past performances have included song, dance, instrumental music, storytelling, poetry reading, theater and comedy by professional performers, serious amateurs, and the blatantly amateur! Local Cape May Stage actor John Alvarez will emcee the show that raises funds for a good cause.

There is no charge for admission, but free-will donations to benefit the restoration of the Franklin Street School will be collected and are much appreciated.

Built in 1927, the Franklin Street School was a segregated elementary school for Cape May’s African American children. Efforts by the Center for Community Arts (CCA) led the state to designate it an African American Historic Site, and in 2002, CCA signed a 25-year lease. Since then, CCA has been grooming the historic building for its comeback in late 2008 as the Franklin Street School Community Cultural Center.

Based at 712 Lafayette St., the Center for Community Arts is a multicultural education organization whose arts and humanities programs foster creativity, diversity and community building. Center for Community Arts receives operating support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. CCA received a Capital Grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust in support of its work on Franklin Street School. For more information call 609-884-7525 or visit http://www.centerforcommunityarts.org/.

If you would like to become one of the performers, register by Aug. 24 by calling Yvonne at Center for Community Arts at (609) 884-7525 or e-mail info@centerforcommunityarts.org. Performances should be appropriate for an evening of family entertainment, and under five minutes each.

This year’s talent show is co-sponsored by the Center for Community Arts, the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC), and Cape May Stage, all of which receive support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and many generous foundations, businesses, and individuals.
The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Cape May’s heritage. MAC also fosters the performing arts. MAC membership is open to all. For more information about MAC’s year-round tours, festivals, special events and many volunteer opportunities, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s website at www.capemaymac.org. For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508.