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The ‘story behind the story’
The year was 2009, and the City of Aventura was building their highly-anticipated Aventura Arts & Cultural Center scheduled to open in 2010. Performing groups were already looking to book their events there and why not—it was an elegant, intimate, 324-seat theatre overlooking the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway with state-of-the-art equipment and a team of professionals that knew what it took to have successful shows produced there.
The City approached the Aventura Marketing Council/Chamber of Commerce (AMC) to see if they would like to book a performance there, and the answer was “Yes!”, but the question for AMC was, “What kind of performance that could become a signature event?”. With a limited budget, the AMC began searching for just the right kind of performance, knowing that music would be the key to success. The old tribute bands and singers were just that….old…certainly entertaining, but not exciting. And then, one day, as some AMC members were walking by a street performance of youngsters, it became crystal clear…..hold a showcase of amazing young singers.
That first year, in 2010, Ran Oz of CooLAM Productions, came onboard as Creative Director and Musical Producer, and remains in that position today. For that first audition, youngsters named Josh Grosso, Nick Merico and Cameron Wheeler showed up, and there was no doubt that those three singers would be part of the first YOUNG STARS SHOWCASE. Let’s look at what they have accomplished since then: Josh, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon, continues to have starring roles in national productions like Phantom of the Opera, Les Mis and In The Heights. Nick became a teen-age heartthrob as he starred in Nickelodeon’s “Every Witch Way” for four years before moving to California to write original songs and perform on American Idol. Cameron won the national iHeart Radio Music Hall Competition and opened for stars such Billie Eilish and Katy Perry. And there have been so many superb young singers along with way…Emily Taylor Kaufman with her big voice; our ‘rocker’ Mason Pace and the Mason Pace Band that just released their second album; Angie Green, winner of America’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer and so many more.
Fast forward to 2021, the AMC is working on the 12th annual Interiors by Steven G~YOUNG STARS SHOWCASE scheduled for Sunday, November 14th, 5 pm at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center with proceeds benefiting the AMC Education Foundation. A few of their ‘superstars’, like Emily and Mason, will return and there will be new faces and fresh young voices to entertain the audience. Title Sponsor Steven G, CEO of Interiors by Steven G, said, “They are all superstars and all deserve a standing ovation!”
Online auditions are still available thru’ www.yssaventura.org as the AMC’s 2021 signature event takes shape for the big stage at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center.
For more information, call the Aventura Marketing Council/Chamber of Commerce at 305.932.5334
