The search is on to find the Voice of the Valley
The search is on to find the Voice of the Valley
9 March 2022
Have you got the V Factor?
The team at a popular north Sheffield Italian restaurant are staging a
fantastic new singing competition in the spring to showcase the local talent in
their own community.
As well as being an award-winning
restaurant Ponti’s Italian Kitchen in Fox Valley, Stocksbridge, is the venue for
regular musical performances. Now the restaurant owners have decided to shine
the spotlight on the local singing talent which is on their own doorstep.
Called Voice of the Valley
the competition is aimed at promoting local talent and providing a platform for
solo performers in the area. Stocksbridge has a rich music pedigree with bands
including Arctic Monkeys and Bring me the Horizon having close links with the
town.
The restaurant is now working
with the local drama group Steel Valley Beacon Arts on the competition to which
opens with an “Open Mic Style Night” on Thursday May 5th.
The judging panel has been
made up of an eclectic group of music lovers and music professionals with the
local entertainer and member of Steel Valley Beacon Arts Jeremy Cutts hosting
the event.
Restaurant owner Stefano
Ispani will also be among the judges who will select the best singers to go
through to a second round which will be held on Thursday May 12th. Finalists will then be chosen to entertain
diners in a special red-carpet gala evening to crown the Voice of the Valley
winner, which is planned for Friday May 20th.
The overall winner will be
crowned the Voice of the Valley and presented with a trophy as well as a £500
cash prize – it is hoped that the competition can become an annual event.
Stefano said that the idea
had come from the popular musical nights which are held at the restaurant –
many featuring local performers, as well his own passion for great music and
good food.
The Ponti’s culinary roots
are in Emilio Romagna in Italy, which is also a valley and well known for its
fantastic musical heritage as home to famous Italian names such as the opera
singer Luciano Pavarotti and mezzo-soprano Giulietta Simionato.
Stefano said: “We love
being part of the community in north Sheffield and know there is a really thriving performing arts scene here and
some fabulous singers. We have worked with so many local groups and choirs who
really have some very talented members.
“We wanted to celebrate
and recognise that talent and give our great local performers a platform to show
what they can do. We hope the community will really get involved in this event
and come and support their favourite performer.”
Mandy Aitken, from Steel
Valley Beacon Arts, said: “This is a fantastic project to be involved in
alongside some great people and local businesses.
“We don’t plan to be quite
as brutal as some of the TV talent show judges, but we are expecting the
standard to be pretty high! We know the talent is here in Stocksbridge and we
are looking forward to hearing from plenty of local voices!”
To register for the Open Mic Night on
May 5th contact email manyja@hotmail.co.uk
And contact amyrtja@pontis.co.uk
to reserve your place for the red-carpet Voice of the Valley’s final which
takes place on Friday May 20th.
For further information, contact:
Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: admin@dransfield.co.uk