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Telemiracle gearing up with auditions around the corner

Sep 20, 2016 | 3:09 PM

It may still be months away but preparations for the 41st annual Kinsmen Telemiracle have already begun with auditions right around the corner.

With roughly 100 audition spots available Nov. 5 and 6 in both Saskatoon and Regina, Darcy Wildeman, Telemiracle 41 chair-person said as of Sept. 19, the roster is already half full for both cities.

“That’s all Saskatchewan talent,” Wildeman said. “They (come from) across the province… groups, individuals, performers, there’s all sorts of different acts and the talent we have here in Saskatchewan is just unbelievable.”

He added the committee responsible for choosing the performers look at different areas of Saskatchewan and pick groups from all over so talent isn’t just coming from Saskatoon and Regina.

Come show time, there’s not just dance groups or individual performers. Comedians, soloists and actors have also been known to take the stage. Wildeman said while it’s not a talent show, it is an audition for Saskatchewan talent.

More than 200 people and groups will audition to be on Telemiracle 41 but unfortunately due to time constraints, Wildeman said only approximately 50 of them will see the stage.

Those who wish to try-out can contact the Kinsmen Telemiracle office.

While Wildeman couldn’t think of any performers with success stories because of Telemiracle, he is sure there are some out there due to the hundreds of thousands of people the broadcast reaches.

Over the years, Telemiracle has featured Bob McGrath who was host at 38 of the 40 Telemiracles. Since he retired, Wildeman said the show still has Beverly Mahood, Brad Johner and the Johner Boys, Donny Parenteau and other famous national cast members.

“Brad and his boys are an awesome group,” Wildeman said. “They’re local right from Saskatoon and just amazing people.”

Roughly a week before the show, Brad Johner and his sons Jesse, Quinn, Luc and bandmate Simon Jasieniuk, tour to different individuals and organizations in the province who have raised money.

“We typically go and visit them, shake their hands and thank them. The boys are slowly joining him and following (Johner’s) mentorship and leadership and also becoming well-known hosts of Telemiracle,” Wildeman said.

Modest about the praise, Johner said being involved is just his way of giving back to the province.

“When you’re involved in something for so long, people get an opportunity to see you and see what you do with Telemiracle,” he said “For me, it’s great to be on Telemiracle with the boys because I grew up as a boy watching Telemiracle, my boys have watched Telemiracle as they were kids and now to be all part of that together is kind of special.”

First getting involved with the event in only the third year as Saskatchewan talent, Johner continued to be a part of the fundraiser. His participation ranges from performing with his brother Ken and the Johner Brothers, more recently with his sons, the Johner Boys, or serving as a co-host and advocate for the telethon.

Performers get a chance to not only showcase their talents to people in the province but from all around the world who are watching via satellite as well.

“Every year, it’s really hard for the committee to pick the acts that are going to be asked to be a part of the Saskatchewan talent,” he said. “And if you don’t get on this year, then always keep trying because it doesn’t matter where you’re from, they like to pick acts from all over the province.”

The 20-hour broadcast, set for March 4 and 5 in Saskatoon, is backed by Kinsmen and Kinnette clubs from across the province which fundraise throughout the year.

After the weekend, the millions of dollars raised goes into a pool where every five to six weeks, a board of two dozen committee members get together, review applications and disperse funds accordingly.

The last meeting dealt with 164 applications and gave out $477,000 according to Wildeman.

The money goes towards travel costs, accommodations, medical equipment and donations to charities within the province.

 

Colton Swiderski is meadowlakeNOW’s municipal affairs, crime and court, health and education reporter. He can be reached at cswiderski@jpbg.ca or tweet him @coltonswiderski.