Bolton's got talent.

Sir Ian McKellen, to Peter Kay, Paddy McGuinness and Sophie Willan, to name just a few all hail from the wonderful town of Bolton.

And the challenge is now on to find Bolton's next big thing.

Bolton-based Backup North West is organising Stars for A Night, supported by The Bolton News and Bolton FM, to celebrate all that is great about the people of Bolton.

Maura Jackson, CEO of Backup said: "I wanted to run an event that showcases the talent we have across Bolton.

The Bolton News: Maura JacksonMaura Jackson

"I want to give opportunities for people to get involved in something that’s free, fun and brings elements of the community together. It’s almost a by product that Backup North West are facilitating it but that will also be great for us. Anything that supports Bolton residents and businesses is something we want to get behind."

If you have a connection to Bolton, are aged 18 or over; have a talent to showcase then this your chance to shine.

And it could be just the launchpad you need!

We are looking for amateur singers, bands, poets, comedians, dancers, magicians and more to entertain the town and prove Bolton is full of talent!

All you need to do to enter is create a video of your performance, up to five minutes long and send it in by 30th April 2023.

The competition is being facilitated by Backup North West but all the judges are independent.

The winner(s) will get £250.00 cash prize, a free consultation for PR worth £200 and the chance to perform at Backup Charity Ball in 2024.

Key Dates

Video entries: submit from 16th March 2023 – 30th April 2023

Shortlisting by independent panel of judges: throughout May

Live auditions: June & July

Finalists announced: 7th August 2023

Finale: Friday 29th September 2023 @ Cloisters

All T & C’s and instructions of how to enter are on the Backup Website ‘Stars for a night’ page. It is free to enter.

The whole process is being supported by the Bolton News and Bolton FM, as media partners.

Editor Richard Duggan will be one of the judges in the live final.

If you would like to sponsor this event, then please get in touch with the organisers, please email ‘stars@backup-charity.org.uk’ or telephone 01204 520183.

The Bolton News: Sophie WillanSophie Willan

STARS FOR A NIGHT

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. ALL ENTRANTS MUST BE AGED 18 OR OVER

2. THEY CANNOT BE PROFESSIONAL OR SEMI PROFESSIONAL ACTS

3. THEY MUST HAVE A CONNECTION TO BOLTON

4. THEY MUST BE FREE TO ATTEND THE FINALE FRIDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2023

5. NO ACTS CONTAINING OFFENSIVE MATERIAL / INFERENCES WILL BE SELECTED

6. THIS IS AN INCLUSIVE EVENT

7. AT THE FACE TO FACE AUDITIONS ID WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE SHOWN

8. ALL JUDGES ARE INDEPENDENT TO BACKUP NORTH WEST

9. WE WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY EQUIPMENT EXCEPT SOUND AND LIGHTING AT THE FINALE

10. NO MORE THAN ONE ENTRY PER PERSON/ACT/PERFORMER

11. Media partners are Bolton news and Bolton FM

PROCESS AND TIMESCALES

OPEN FOR ENTRIES 1ST MARCH 2023. ENTRIES WILL BE VIA VIDEO.

CLOSING DATE 30TH APRIL 2023

SIFTING BY A PANEL OF FOUR JUDGES DURING MAY 2023

SHORTLIST CONTESTANTS WILL BE NOTOFIED AND ANNOUNCED

ACTS SHORTLISTED FOR THE NEXT STAGE WILL BE INVITED TO A FACE TO FACE AUDITION DURING JUNE AND JULY 2023 (DATES TO BE CONFIRMED)

NO PERSONAL FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE THAT DO NOT MAKE THE SHORTLIST

TICKETS FOR THE FINALE WILL GO ON SALE ON 1ST JULY 2023

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED 7TH AUGUST 2023 AND INVITED TO THE FINALE TO PERFORM LIVE ON STAGE IN FRONT OF THE JUDGES AND AUDIENCE

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN ON THE NIGHT BY AN INDEPENDENT PANEL OF JUDGES PRESENT.

1ST PLACE AND 2 RUNNERS UP. The winner may also be offered a paid opportunity to perform at the Backup charity ball in 2024.

HOW TO APPLY?

Go to the Backup “Stars” website page and submit an application.

Submit a Video of your performance no longer than 5 minutes. This needs to be sent via We Transfer (it’s free) to stars@backup-northwest.org.uk

WeTransfer - Send Large Files & Share Photos Online - Up to 2GB Free

Other required information

• Finalists, once announced will be included in the promotion of the event and invited to go on the radio or take part in a press release. This is not essential.

• All profits from the event will go to Backup North West

CATEGORIES.

1. SINGER/MUSICIAN SOLO ARTIST

2. DUET/TRIO/BAND SINGERS/MUSICIANS

3. STAND UP COMEDY

4. POETRY

5. DANCE

6. OTHER

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES PLEASE EMAIL THE ORGANISERS AT stars@backup-charity.org.uk