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The popular fundraising event features cash prizes for adults and children, and accomplished entertainment industry professionals as judges for auditions and finals. Twenty finalists will compete for top prizes in front of a live audience at Darien High School.
Coogan brings his own musical talent to the DGT finals show. He has lead the Chris Coogan Quartet for 10 years and has performed as a jazz musician with the late Sal Salvador, Bette Midler, Donna Summer, Paul Newman, Whoopie Goldberg, Jo Ann Woodward, Alec Baldwin, Gene Wilder, Larry Coryell, Dave Liebman, Harold Danko, Ronnie Spector, James Naughton and Phoebe Snow.He has also arranged for Teo Maceo, producer for the late Miles Davis.
He has appeared on television’s “Celebrity Jeopardy” and the “Arsenio Hall Show,” and has performed at Manhattan’s Blue Note and the Montreaux Jazz Festival. Coogan is also a successful choral director, writer and arranger of gospel music.
This is the third year that Coogan will be lending his support and talent to contestants of all ages at Darien’s Got Talent. Registration remains open online here until Monday, May 9, for auditions that will be held on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22, at the DAC Weatherstone Studio.
Contestants ages 10 and over can enter the competition alone or as part of a group, to sing, dance, play an instrument or perform any other talent. Acapella groups, garage bands and dance ensembles are welcome. New this year: prizes will be awarded for the top three adult and top three children winners, for a total of six prizes awarded. Prizes include:
Adults first place: $1000; second place: $750; third place: $500
Children’s first place: $750; second place: $500; third place: $250.
Registration fee for those who live or work in Darien is $35; registration for all others is $70.
For more information about auditions and eligibility, click here or call 203-655-8683.
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