| BACK |
Ear blistering volume, stage problems and microphone gaffes aside, anyone who was lucky enough to get into the packed auditorium was treated to an assortment of original poetry, rapping, singing, dancing, and more than a few laughs from the host. Each act was unique and vibrant with originality and creativity not usually seen in an amateur competition. Among the more amazing performances of the evening were: *Matthew,
a Michael Jackson impersonator who did the famous
singer’s moonwalk dancing routine so well that the *13 year old, Eighth grade singing sensation Quianna Roy who is well known locally for her rendition of "God Bless America" during the Mayor’s State of the City address, veteran ceremonies, several local talent competitions and is a frequent guest of local radio host Frankie Benjamin. * A dance routine by Madelyn and Edwin Quezada who per-fectly choreo-graphed Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation.” And is a member of “Urban Explosion” dance group. * Metal band Heretic Hybrid whose performance was inaudible at first due to microphone problems (Certainly not their fault) but finished out the song showing incredible talent, stage presence and true understanding of the genre. * The Doherty’s with an Irish Step dance routine that brought a standing ovation and Pablo the poet who sounded more like he was rapping in slow motion but started the evening off with an upbeat original piece about self confidence and “being me” First
place winner Jessica LeBron (pictured on page 1) recited
a poem about her "pain." Mathew
does a perfect Michael Jackson |
More than a dozen of Lawrence’s most
talented young people performed on stage last week in a
competition called “The Movement” held before a
packed audience at the South Lawrence East School. The
event was sponsored by Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan
and the Hope Street Youth Center on Island Street.
Performers in the competition were finalists who had
survived three rounds of auditions held at the youth
center over a period of three months. Mayor
Sullivan’s office, through the efforts of Myles
Burke and Felix Cruz, raised thousands of dollars for the
event by collecting private donations from local
businesses. 
judges stopped him before he left the stage to
ask how long he had been dancing. Though the judges
rarely commented during the competition one quipped,
“I always hear how white people can’t dance and
Man, you certainly proved them wrong tonight”
