Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 13, 1993 TAG: 9305130394
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
That's how Lillie Patterson, basileus of Alpha Tau Chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Inc., described the seniors, age 50 and older, who will showcase their talents Friday to help her sorority provide scholarships.
Senior Star Search Talent Revue - loosely based on the TV show "Star Search" - will feature vocal, instrumental, dramatic and comedic performances by 17 of the valley's best-known older black citizens.
"Teen-agers need more strong role models and mentors, plus we thought it would be wonderful to have the older people show their talent," program chairman Anita Wilson said, explaining why she and her sorority sisters came up with the talent-show idea last year.
Alpha Tau Chapter has presented teen talent pageants and fashion shows, and in March held a program honoring young black men. But this is its first program spotlighting older people.
Its souvenir booklet will be dedicated to 102-year-old Lillie Pettiford, who fell and won't be able to perform.
Wilson said the chapter members brainstormed for names of talented seniors. In September, they invited the seniors to perform. A get-acquainted tea for the contestants was held in February; they got together again in late April to have their photos taken. They'll hold their one and only formal rehearsal tonight.
The roughly two-hour-long production will be simple, with a basic stage and spotlight and no scenery changes. But that doesn't mean it will be lacking anything, Wilson assured. Sometimes, simple is better, she said.
"People are just going to be amazed at how much talent is out there," she said, scanning the talent roster and noting little asides about the contestants:
Gardner Smith, Sara Holland and Odell Mebane - all scheduled to give musical performances - are choir directors for their churches.
Woodrow Walker, who'll sing a solo, is lead singer with the Chevies and Premiers and sings at his church.
Frances Morgan teaches music and will give a musical performance, accompanied by a dancer.
Franklin Riles, who wrote the song "Star On Mill Mountain," will play his harmonica and sing.
"He calls himself a one-man-band," Wilson said.
"Perneller Chubb-Wilson is going to play the piano. She has a new radio show, you know. And Gertrude Childress, who I think is a great-grandmother, plans to dress up and do a reading," Wilson said.
Doris Mack and Magnolia Irving, both well-known speakers, will do dramatic readings, as will Julia Poe, Mamie Cooper and Barbara Bethel.
Other performances will include vocal solos by Alphonso Holland, Jimmy Tucker of T&H Christian Bookstore, Lawrence Brown and Viola Williams.
Woodrow Wilson Middle School assistant principal Irvin Cannaday will be master of ceremonies. There will be a parade of contestants, official judges, a grand prize and awards for first-, second- and third-place runners-up.
"This is a teachers' sorority," Wilson said. "We really try to do things that will help the youth in our community.
"We've never been able to raise enough to pay for a college scholarship. But we have been able to give $250-$300 toward buying textbooks. Anyone who is going to college is eligible to apply."
Wilson said she hopes the show will fill Virginia Western Community College's 325-person Walt Whitman auditorium, thereby producing larger scholarships than in the past.
The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults or $5 for children and may be purchased at T&H Christian Bookstore on Shenandoah Avenue or through any sorority member.
For information, call Lucy Patterson, 562-2551; Frances Chubb, 345-3677; or Anita Wilson, 362-5517.
by CNB