Cedar Rapids TalentFest benefits contestants, community

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids TalentFest shares several elements with Vision in Motion, the non-profit organization it serves.

Both create awareness, thrive on people working together and push everybody's potential, says Sandy Mostaert, TalentFest coordinator in charge of fundraising for Spanda Inc., Vision in Motion's parent organization.

“We're all about empowering people being successful,” she says.

Vision in Motion started in September 2008 as a program of Spanda Inc. It serves patients with low vision or vision problems due to a stroke or brain injury and children who have learning difficulties due to vision problems.

From 2009 to 2010, the clinic saw a 58 percent increase in patients; one-third of them eligible for financial assistance.

Last year, Spanda sponsored its first talent show to raise money for scholarships to assist under- or uninsured Vision in Motion patients.

“We wanted to create a fundraiser that is as special as the clinic,” Mostaert says.

With the first show under its belt, Spanda has built upon what worked and tweaked what didn't.

Auditions are under way for this year's TalentFest to be held Aug. 14 at Theatre Cedar Rapids. Again, prizes will be awarded for first ($2,500), second ($1,000) and third ($500) places.

During the auditions, judges use a 100-point scoring system to determine who will be called back.

“We try to make it as fair as possible,” Mostaert says.

Different judges from the area's performing arts community volunteer at each audition. Contestants can audition as many times as they want, but must pay an audition fee each time.

“It's the one event I have no problem finding volunteers,” Mostaert says.

Callbacks will again be held during Freedom Festival on June 25 at Greene Square Park and the Fourth of July on the Main Stage.

The first Cedar Rapids TalentFest, held in August 2010, nearly sold out the 540 seats at Theatre Cedar Rapids.

It attracted 130 amateur individuals or groups vying to be a top 16 finalist.

Auditions were held last spring with about 30 to 40 callbacks who performed during the Freedom Festival in Cedar Rapids.

“There's a lot of interest in watching it,” Mostaert says. “People were surprised at how much talent out there is untapped.”

Any type of talent is welcome as long as it's not dangerous to the crowd or R-rated, Mostaert says.

While there were a lot of singers and musicians, last year's talented contestants ranged in age from 12 to 86 and included a belly dancer, beat box flutist, actors and jump ropers.

The majority were between 30 to 40 years old, Mostaert says.

“They haven't done it in years,” she says. “You saw it all.”

The winner of the $2,500 grand prize, singer Cortney Alber, has already signed a deal in Nashville.

-Several performers also caught the attention of NBC's “America's Got Talent” producers who requested three videos of all the performances Mostaert videotaped and posted on YouTube.

“They found us,” Mostaert says. “We were the only talent show in the area.”

Like Vision in Motion, TalentFest gives opportunities for people to gain confidence.

“It's something that also gives back,” Mostaert says. “It's very humbling being a part of something that affects so many people.”