Vaqueros Got Talent - The Rider Newspaper

LTI Talent Showcase on March 24 at the Marian Monta Studio in the Liberal Arts Building South on the Edinburg campus.
PHOTO COURTESY JOLYSSA PEREZ — *LTI Talent Showcase on March 24 at the Marian Monta Studio in the Liberal Arts Building South on the Edinburg campus.*
**PHOTO COURTESY JOLYSSA PEREZ**

The Latino Theatre Initiatives club is giving UTRGV students a stage to shine with its second annual Talent Showcase, taking place 6:30 p.m. Friday at COMMONSPACE, located at 2901 N. 10th St. in McAllen.

Jolyssa Perez, LTI vice president said the event aims to celebrate the creative talents of UTRGV students, from singers and dancers to local bands and first-time performers.

“It’s like a night to appreciate all of the talented students here in UTRGV and appreciate them before they go off and do wonderful things out there,” Perez said “Sometimes, they don’t have the spotlight [in plays or concerts], so we just wanted this night to have an event for that.”

The idea for the showcase began last year when she, who enjoys attending open mic nights, proposed the event as a casual, community-driven performance night. Perez added, after its success, it’s returning for a second year with hopes of becoming a lasting campus tradition.

“We already have annual events like our Pastorela and our Latino Theatre Festival, and we want this to become another one of those steady events people look forward to,” she said.

This year’s lineup includes a mix of singing, dancing and live bands, with several artists debuting their original music. Among the performers, the LTI vice president mentioned her excitement to see returning artist Paolo Santiago, known on stage as Orpheus Bloom.

While the showcase is not a competition, Perez said it is meant to be a fun and welcoming event that highlights the diversity of student talent.

“I really hope it brings a sense of community,” she said, “especially because I know that a lot of people are looking for stuff to do on a Friday night. Sometimes that’s not readily available for college students with no money for events.”

Admission is free, and guests can enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of COMMONSPACE, which will have coffee, pastries and cocktails available for purchase. The event will be followed by a short open-mic session.

Students interested in participating in future showcases can look out for flyers around campus or follow @lti_utrgv on Instagram for updates on auditions, performances and club events.