Talent show canceled

The Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center (WAPAEC) has canceled its “In the Spotlight“ talent show scheduled for Feb. 5, citing low registration numbers.

“Twenty to 25 acts is normally enough to make it a variety show and to give enough length to it, I think we had seven,” WAPAEC President Millie Youngquist said. “We were trying to drum up a few more, but even if we got a few more it still wouldn’t really be enough.”

Youngquist said the group was considering changing the annual event’s date in future years.

“We didn’t do it last year because of COVID, and it seems like when we did it two years ago we had to work at getting enough acts,” she said. “We’re looking into maybe doing it at a different time of year … it’s hard to say. Maybe just the right people didn’t find out about it far enough in advance to get signed up and get prepared.”

In any case, the group is staying optimistic about future talent shows.

“We’re sorry to have to cancel,” Youngquist said. “We thank the ones that did sign up, but we just really need to get many more people to sign up to do it effectively.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com