LAKE HOUSTON'S GOT TALENT

Encore! The Village Centers Once Again Shows that Lake Houston is Teeming with Talent

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Our community’s most talented performers once again turned out in full force for The Village Centers 2023 Lake Houston’s Got Talent Show, presented by Enstep Technology Solutions, and held at The Nathaniel Center on July 20th. The friendly and fun-spirited competition included individuals with developmental disabilities appearing on stage alongside neurotypical individuals from the general public. 

 

More than 150 guests enjoyed a bountiful buffet dinner from Tin Roof BBQ and a show featuring 12 performances, including skilled dancers, vocalists, magicians, comedians, and pianists. Several names were familiar favorites who have performed in past years’ events, and others were brand new surprises. Highlights included an interactive illusionist act and rocking cello performance of “Livin’ on a Prayer”.

 

Kim Stengel - Broadway actress, publisher of Kingwood Neighbors magazine, and Founder of DIAD (Do It All Diva!) returned to emcee the evening and was joined by a panel of judges representing influential leaders in the community: Kathy Adkins, President of Kingwood Women’s Club; Juan Aybar, President of the Rotary Club of the Lake Houston Area and Senior Vice-President at Cadence Bank; Christa Elyce, CEO & Owner of Houston Studio and Founder of Kingwood Business Women; and Bob Robertson, Owner and Voice of KAIR. 

 

A group of Villagers closed the show with a grand finale rendition of “Lean on Me” in honor of July as Disability Pride Month - an annual celebration of individuals with disabilities and commemoration of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July 1990.

 

The audience helped select the winners by placing votes to select the top three finalists. The judges then deliberated to determine the first, second, and third place performances, as well as special awards for Judge’s Choice, Most Creative, and Most Spirited. The winners were: 

 

1st place: Cello Road (Austin & Connor Taylor)

2nd place: Shane Hetherington

3rd place: Andrew Shepherd

 

Judges’ Choice: Marlie Yates

Most Creative: Elizabeth Daley

Most Spirited: Emma Thornock

 

In addition to the on-stage entertainment, attendees enjoyed impressive pieces of original art and craftsmanship created by Village clients and displayed in the first-ever Lake Houston’s Got Talent Art Auction. The piece with the highest bid, a large, blue and gold painted canvas by the residents of Stoney Glen, sold for $1,000.

 

Audience members went home with full bellies and full hearts, inspired by the incredible talent of the Lake Houston community and grateful to be supporting the meaningful work of The Village Centers. 

 

The Village Centers thanks the many volunteers and staff members who made this event possible, along with all of the generous sponsors and supporters.

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Art Auction Contributors: Scott Carver, Christopher Childress, Verl Cooper, Ashley D’Artois, Aaron Gibbs, Alex Higgins, JJ Jones, Christopher Kagle, Tony Malerba, Laxmi Momaya, Shawn Oaks, Ron Poole, Brooklyn Powell, Jonathan Rush, Day Program Participants, and Stoney Glen Residents

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Performers: Jessica Brooks, Nathaniel Brooks, Cello Road (Austin & Connor Taylor), Elizabeth Daley, Jack Daley, Amanda Hebert, Shane Hetherington, Kyle Ryan, Andrew Shepherd, Emma Thornock, and Marie Yates

Villager Disability Pride Performance: Scott Carver, Brandi Cate, Shane Hetherington, Tyona Johnson, Jan Leysath, Emilio Pina, and Jeane Rogers

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We encourage everyone to SAVE THE DATE for our 2023 ‘Enchanted Forest’ Gala on October 7, 2023, at The Houston CityPlace Marriott at Springwoods Village. 

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For more information on Lake Houston’s Got Talent, the Gala, or The Village Centers, please contact Claire Brown at cbrown@villagelac.org.