Open to all seniors age 60 and up
In-person tryouts for seniors age 60+ are starting Sept. 24 and run through Sept. 30 throughout the region for the Morning Pointe Foundation’s 4th Annual Seniors Got Talent variety show!
The show will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m., at The Bijou Theatre at 803 S. Gay Street. All talented seniors age 60 and older are encouraged to try out.
The Morning Pointe Foundation puts on the show in conjunction with Morning Pointe Senior Living. However, auditions are open to all seniors age 60+, not just Morning Pointe residents. Acts have included singers, musicians, dancers, poets, comedians and more. The grand-prize winner will receive $1,000, and prizes will also be given to second- ($500) and third-place ($250) winners. A People’s Choice winner will be determined by attendee votes.
In-person auditions will run through Sept. 30 at local Morning Pointe Senior Living communities during their Family Nights:
- Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 6-7 p.m. – Morning Pointe of Powell at 7700 Dannaher Drive; Phone 865-686-5771
- Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 6-7 p.m. – Morning Pointe of Lenoir City at 198 Morning Pointe Drive; Phone 865-988-7373
- Thursday, Sept. 26, from 6-7 p.m. – Morning Pointe of Hardin Valley at 2449 Reagan Road; Phone 865-343-0081
- Friday, Sept. 27, from 6-7 p.m. – Morning Pointe of Knoxville at 9649 Westland Drive; Phone 865-223-6422
- Monday, Sept. 30, from 2-4 p.m. – The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence in Clinton at 960 S. Charles G. Seivers Blvd.; Phone 865-457-4005
So far, more than 15 seniors have signed up for tryouts, including singers, pianists, a ukulele player, and more. Auditions can also be submitted online at morningpointefoundation.com/events/seniors-got-talent/ through Oct. 4.
“If you are 60 years young or up and have any sort of performing talent, don’t miss this opportunity to shine, meet other talented seniors and maybe even win some money,” said Miranda Perez, Morning Pointe Foundation executive director. “We’ve heard from so many of our contestants through the years that this show is a lot of fun, and some have even said it’s bucket-list worthy.”
Tickets are $10 and are available now on The Bijou Theatre website.
Proceeds from the show will go to the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit public service organization, to support nursing and other college scholarships. The Morning Pointe Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living founded by senior healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow. The Foundation was created in 2014 to provide caregiver support programs, sponsor educational awareness events and fund scholarships that advance the care of seniors throughout the Southeast.
Last year’s showcase highlighted some amazing winners. First place and the People’s Choice Award went to comedian Corkey Miller for her stand-up routine. Her performance even landed her a spot on this year’s “America’s Got Talent” auditions. Second place went to Sandy and the Sandsation Dancer for their dance routine to “Last Dance.” Third place went to The Tennessee Jewels, who sang, danced and twirled to a medley of “Tennessee Waltz” and “Rocky Top.”
The Morning Pointe Foundation hosts four Seniors Got Talent shows each year. Besides Knoxville, shows are held in Chattanooga and Franklin, Tennessee, as well as Lexington, Kentucky.
Founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates 39 assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states. Local Morning Pointe campuses include communities in Knoxville, Powell, Clinton and Lenoir City. Each provides access to clinical care; meals with dietician oversight and an emphasis on fresh, local produce; a full life enrichment activity program; engaging community partnerships; and on-site physical, occupational and speech therapy services.
Morning Pointe Senior Living plans to open a new memory care community in Knoxville in early 2025: The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Hardin Valley.
