Performers' chance to grab the spotlight with Kingston 'busking' competition (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Performers' chance to grab the spotlight with Kingston 'busking' competition

12:28pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in Freetime By Nazia Dewji, Reporter

Sophie Plummer, one of the singers to take part in Kingston Spotlight

The Kingston Guardian and Surrey Comet are getting behind a new competition to find the stars of our borough this winter.

The search to find Kingston’s best performers is set to begin in the lead up to Christmas.

Talented groups and individuals are being asked to come forward to have their chance to “busk” in Kingston town centre.

A variety of acts from Bollywood dance troupes, choirs and musicians will be showcased in Kingston Spotlight.

From Saturday, November 17, thousands of shoppers will watch the first artists perform with new acts following suit every week until Sunday, December 16.

Performers will have the chance to wow the crowds on Thursday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays during the month-long initiative organised by Kingstonfirst.

Each week we will announce the acts that are due to perform and Kingstonfirst will release short biographies and videos about each act on the Wednesday ahead of the street shows.

The public will then be able to get in touch to vote for their favourite acts or even send in free text messages to Kingstonfirst for each act to have the chance to be crowned Brightest Spotlight of the Week.

Previous winner of Surrey’s Got Talent, Sophie Plummer, 15, is just one of the talented singers taking part in Kingston Spotlight.

Her mother Louise Plummer said: “Born and bred in Kingston, Sophie is really looking forward to being a part of Kingston Spotlight as it will be fantastic to perform in her home town.”

Ros Morgan, chief executive at Kingstonfirst, said: "Not only is this a fabulous opportunity to showcase the incredible talent we have in the borough but it also adds that little bit extra to what is already an exciting Christmas festival programme.’"

To get involved follow @KSpotlight on Twitter, email Eleanor Appleton at eleanor@kingston spotlight.co.uk or naziadewji@london.newsquest.co.uk