If you have a creative skill or talent you want to showcase, join the Talent Quest. - Photo: 123rf.com
Ditch the idea of a rocking chair when you think of the ageing population. Instead, think of senior citizens who are ready to rock on stage – singing, playing music, dancing and doing a myriad of other creative acts that will likely blow our socks off.
That’s the basis of Talent Quest 2023, a seniors-only talent competition that’s being organised for the first time by Amazing Seniors, a digital platform for senior citizens.
Realising that most talent competitions tend to focus on younger performers, Amazing Seniors decided to organise one but open it only for those over 50.
So far, the response from older Malaysians has been overwhelming.
“We know there are many talented seniors out there and this is our way of searching for them and giving them the stage to shine,” says Jasmin Amirul Ghani, co-founder of Amazing Seniors.
“In the course of organising our events, we started to invite seniors to perform as we wanted to showcase their talents for other seniors to enjoy.
“We realised that this was a huge hit amongst our audiences. They loved watching other seniors perform and they often sang and danced along.
“We could see that they thoroughly enjoyed this and they kept asking us for more,” adds Jasmin.
And so, Jasmin and co-founder Penny Low decided to have a Talent Quest, a talent competition for seniors.
It will be open to all Malaysians above 50 (in 2023) and there is no upper age limit.
“If you are 98 years old and can belt out a tune like Dean Martin or play the guitar like Jimi Hendrix, we want you,” says Jasmin.
There are a few conditions, though. Those who want to participate cannot have won any prior professional competitions, as this competition is intended for first-timers and amateurs.
And, those who are nominated to be in the semi-finals and finals must be willing to travel to Atria Shopping Gallery in Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya, to compete from Sept 29 to Oct 1 which will coincide with the Amazing Seniors’ Seniors Festival 2023.
“As this would be the first nationwide seniors talent contest that we are aware of, we are hopeful of getting a good response from seniors as contestants.
“In fact, just one day after we posted about Talent Quest on our Facebook page, we started receiving submissions almost immediately and we are still receiving submissions.
“We are extremely excited to see what’s in store in terms of senior talent,” says Jasmin.
Such an activity for seniors, she feels, is much needed.
“Malaysia has over seven million adults aged 50 and above, constituting 21% of our population, and this will double to 14 million by 2040, which will be 34% of our population.
“We are currently classified as an ageing society by the World Bank and will be a super-aged society by 2056.
“In view of this, we believe that Malaysia still has a long way to go in terms of providing for the demands of this population segment.
“Much of what is on offer targets the younger generation and what Amazing Seniors aims to do is highlight seniors as an important consumer segment to companies.
“We believe that a competition such as this puts the older generation in the spotlight, showcasing them as talented individuals who are still very much in their prime.
“We hope that it would help boost the confidence and self-esteem of participants as well as inspire and motivate other seniors to continue pursuing their passions,” she says.
To participate, those over 50 can submit a video to Amazing Seniors from now till the deadline on Sept 1.
“All you need to do is record yourself on video using your handphone (or have someone record for you) and send in your video via WhatsApp to our Amazing Seniors Hotline (017-2019 746), provide us with your name, birth date and address – and we will do the rest,” she says.
Contestants can choose to sing, dance, performe with an instrument, do comedy or act or any other form of entertainment or creative performance such as magic show, acrobatics, and more.
Those who are unable to send in a video can also record their voice using the phone voice-record function (for those showcasing their singing talent) and send that to the organisers.
Participation is free and those who make the finals stand a chance to win prizes.
So far, there is over RM10,000 worth of cash prizes, plus additional prizes from sponsors and supporters.
Malaysian songstress Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim will be one of the judges for the finals of the competition on Oct 1.
“The most important element would be entertainment value: Would this performer entertain and captivate the audience he or she performs for.
“Thus any type of creative performance would be eligible,” says Jasmin.Find out more about Talent Quest at www.amazingseniors.my or WhatsApp their Hotline (017-2019 746).
