The Strawberry Showcase promised to give the full house at 201 E. Dr. MLK Blvd. a great show, and the fourteen contestants delivered on it.
A variety of acts ranging from singing and dancing to clogging and instrumental music graced the stage and moved the audience members to thunderous cheers with their displays of skill. Four winners were chosen at the end of the event — including “People’s Choice” winners Zachary and the Four Seasons, an instrumental quartet that covered Vivaldi — but it was singer Ben Hourigan’s passionate, emotional rendition of “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables that won first place. Hourigan’s musical tribute to his father netted him $495 in cash and a goodie bag provided by local realtor Tammy Chancey.
All money raised from the event was given to the four winners, who also got to choose between the goodie bag, a guitar from Dark Horse Music Store, recording time at Back Pocket Recording Studio and dance lessons at Drawdy’s Dance School (which the school changed to a cash prize for recipient Zachary and the Four Seasons. Dancer Sophia Karp also took home $100 courtesy of the dance school.
WINNERS
First place: Ben Hourigan
Second place: Sarene Tate
Third place: Cross Stars
People’s Choice: Zachary and the Four Seasons
CONTESTANTS
Erika West, piano/vocals
Alyssa Clark, vocals
Hannah Holm, clogging
Giselle Gutierrez, vocals
Jacob Davies, guitar/vocals
Tara Campos, piano/vocals
Sophia Karp, dance
Benji Padgett, keyboard/vocals
Madison Parolini, vocals
Cross Stars, clogging
Zachary and the Four Seasons, flute/saxophones
Kimberly Banks, vocals
Sarene Tate, vocals
Ben Hourigan, vocals