Get your act together for the West County Talent Bash

Talented performers take note: It’s time to get your act together for the second annual West County Talent Bash.

Presented by West Newsmagazine and produced by St. Louis Bash Productions, the 2012 West County Talent Bash will be held on Saturday, May 26 at the Central Park Amphitheater in Chesterfield. Auditions are open to individuals of all ages and can demonstrate most any type of talent: Musicians, dancers, jugglers, comedians, marching bands, church choirs, variety acts and more are welcome to join in the competition. Winners will take home trophies, prizes and braggin’ rights.

Potential Talent Bash contestants must submit an audition video and accompanying text document no later than 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 1. Eligible audition videos must be at least 3 minutes in length and must not exceed 5 minutes. Materials can be submitted in one of two ways:

• Upload text documents and video files with the extension of .mp4 through the link provided at www.stlbashproductions.com, or

• Send the completed audition form, found at stlbashproductions.com, and an audition DVD or VHS video to: West Newsmagazine, West County Talent Bash, 754 Spirit 40 Park Drive, Chesterfield, MO  63005.

West County Talent Bash contestants will be required to attend a rehearsal on a date that has yet to be determined and must present themselves on May 26 an hour prior to their scheduled performance time. The complete rules and regulations can be found at www.stlbashproductions.com/Rules.html.

The West County Talent Bash was founded by Frank Schmer, organizer of the popular St. Louis Home Fires BBQ Bash, now held every fall at the Wildwood Town Center. This year, Schmer is adding a taste of that event to the West County Talent Bash by holding a “World Championship Pork Steak Competition” in conjunction with the event.

“What I’d like to do is give the Talent Bash even more of a local flavor while keeping it family-oriented,” Schmer said, noting that pork steaks are a “St. Louis thing” and something that family members can cook together.

There will be three categories in the barbecue competition: pork steak, any grilled meat paired with a craft beer, and any grilled meat paired with a local wine.

Barbecue for purchase and craft beer samplings also will be available at this year’s Talent Bash.

The inaugural West County Talent Bash was held last Memorial Day weekend at the then-brand new Central Park Amphitheater. Despite intermittent rain and generally overcast weather, hundreds of spectators came out to watch as nearly 70 performers took the stage to showcase their various talents. Audience members, KTRS Radio personalities and other local celebrities judged the acts, voting a band comprised of local high school students  – Ska Force One – as Grand Champion. Other winners included singers, musicians and dance troupes, with contestants of all ages taking home awards.

For more information on auditioning for this year’s West County Talent Bash, visit www.stlbashproductions.com or email questions to info@stlbashproductions.com.