Deadline for young performers is approaching

There’s less than a month to nominate rising talent for the Best of South Tyneside Young Performer Awards.

We’ve got fantastic supporters for the competition. And all we need is for Gazette readers to inundate us with entries in the weeks remaining to the deadline.

We are honoured to be supported yet again by the Port of Tyne as sponsors and they help to make the event a huge success every year.

This year’s Young Performer finals will be held at the Customs House, in South Shields, on Monday, April 18.

The winner will be revealed at the Best of South Tyneside finals on Thursday, June 9.

Whoever does lift the trophy will be following in the footsteps of last year’s winner Eve Simpson, who sings, plays the piano, the guitar and the banjo, and who impressed judges by performing a song she had composed herself.

So all we need now is the undoubted talent of the youngsters of South Tyneside to come forward.

Last year’s winner Eve has gone on to great things since lifting the crown.

North East music star Kathryn Tickell has described the 16-year-old as one to watch, and Eve has already appeared on the same bill as Lola Saunders and Collabro.

We’re hoping to watch a whole host of new talent in this year’s contest, which will be open for entries until the deadline of Monday, April 4.

After that, all the Young Performer finalists will get to perform at the Customs House in South Shields on Monday, April 18.

Judges will choose three contestants from the night who will go on to a shortlist.

They will perform at the finale of the Best of South Tyneside awards, which will be held at the Quality Hotel, in Boldon, on Thursday, June 9.

That’s the night when we will reveal who has won this year’s Port of Tyne-backed Young Performer of the Year crown.

Now all we need are lots of entrants to make this year’s Young Performer category, sponsored by Port of Tyne, another memorable competition.

We’re urging people across South Tyneside to nominate anyone who they think could be a winner.

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