Acts competing for prizes in DuPage Co. Fair talent show

For six young hip-hop dancers, making the finals of the DuPage County Fair talent show isn't just about winning -- it's about proving they are "rock stars."

At the July 12 preliminary competition, the girls of Aspirations Dance Company in Lombard wowed judges with their "Rockstar" routine, which featured the girls sporting colorful faux mohawks, Ed Hardy motorcycle T-shirts and ripped denim.

After placing in the top nine acts in the junior division, Nicolette and Tori Dominick, Jordan Cimmarusti, Jade Whaley, India Garner and Veronica Catanese will compete Saturday for a cash prize and the chance to represent DuPage County in the January 2010 Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs competition in Springfield.

"These girls have so much energy, and they really know how to entertain," said Kelly Callese, artistic director at Aspirations Dance Company.

This year, the talent show finals will be at 2 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road, Wheaton.

The nine junior division finalists received the top scores out of a field of 29 in the preliminary round. Junior performers are ages 14 and younger.

All six of the registered senior performers advanced to the finals and range in age from 15 to 21.

Dottie Hemrick, this year's talent show coordinator, said she was impressed by the range of performances during the preliminary round, which featured everything from solo vocals to magic to a Michael Jackson tribute.

"I thought the talent this year was amazing," Hemrick said. "It was a lot of fun."

Final performances will include piano numbers, solo vocals and duets, and a fiddler.

All contestants must live or attend school in DuPage County.

Judging is based on four categories: ability (50 points), stage presentation (30 points), costume appearance (10 points) and general audience appeal (10 points).

The winners in each division will receive a $100 cash prize. Second place wins $60, third place $45 and fourth place $30.

The talent show is open to the public and is free with fair admission.

If you go

What: DuPage County Fair Talent Contest

When: 2 p.m. Saturday, July 25.

Where: Entertainment Tent at DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road, Wheaton

How much: Free with fair admission

Info: (630) 668-6636 or visit www.dupagecountyfair.org

Talent show finalists

Junior division, 14 and younger

• Jesse Bonaguro, Clarendon Hills, fiddle

• Christopher Woods, Carol Stream, magic

• Rick Stevenson, Naperville, dance

• Madeleine Dorren and Kate Wild, Wheaton/Glen Ellyn, vocal duet

• Rachel Oliveros, West Chicago, piano

• Mario Bryand, Willowbrook, vocal solo

• Rockstar (Nicolette Dominick, Jordan Cimmarusti, Jade Whaley, Tori Dominick, India Garner, Veronic Cantanese), Lombard/Elmhurst, hip-hop dance

• Sarah Saltiel, Willowbrook, vocal solo/guitar

• Mia Marie Dorren, Wheaton, vocal solo

Senior division, 15-21 years old

• Stephanie Oliveros, West Chicago, piano

• Heather Hill, Carol Stream, vocal solo

• Brian Semrau, Elmhurst, piano

• Lauren Guenther, Naperville, vocal solo/piano

• Kristyn Cochrane, Lombard, vocal solo

• Nini Marchese, Lisle, vocal solo

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