Charlotte’s Got Talent
Last Friday, the Council Chambers transformed into a stage for our Team Charlotte members to showcase their talent in the first citywide Talent Showcase. And they brought it.
The Experience
The performers along with the packed house were energetic from the start. Special guests, radio 105.3’s DJ Polo and Eddie Owens, the All Nighter, emceed and kept the music playing during and after the show.
As it drew nearer to curtain call, people were dancing in their seats. The performers arrived waiting for their turn to shine. First up was Betty Coulter with Risk Management singing Alecia Keys “If I Ain’t Got You.” The crowd was enthusiastic and burst into applause.
There were a variety of acts that kept the program moving and each one was a new surprise. Some talent involved the audience asking them to sing background. Others like Bootsy Walker, Charlotte Department of Transportation, jammed out on the bass getting everyone up dancing. There was also Kenneth Holmes who did a rap poetry. Some vocalists performed a cappella. And towards the end Human Resources Director Sheila Simpson even got in the action performing with the Otis and the Revelators.
The attendees were surprised with the talent and had an amazing time. To follow up, the party continued in the lobby where they also enjoyed desserts and a photo booth.
The Talent
A talent showcase wouldn’t be complete without the talent. The performers ranged in age and type of talent and this event brought them together in one place. Through this experience, they learned more about each other and the comradery of not only being a city employee, but also being an artist.
Octavia Washington, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, has been performing for many years and even won second place at the Apollo in Manhattan, New York, many years ago. She took the crowd back singing “If I Were Your Women” by Gladys Knight and the Pips. Like Gladys, she enjoys the laid back approach to singing.
“The whole experience was very exciting for me! I have no regrets and I’m glad I was able to make some people smile.”
Donald Dean, Solid Waste Services, played and sung, “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. He’s been performing a few decades. He chose this song because of the positive message within it and had the crowd singing along, too.
“The experience was very nice. It was a very receptive crowd to work with.”
Nicole Eaton, Charlotte Communications and Marketing, grew up singing in choirs in school and occasionally performs as a pirate. She got the crowd moving with Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” She chose this song because it has a little bit of attitude and takes a lot of skill.
“The crowd was electric and the other performers were so supportive. We cheered each other on as we returned to our section. I wasn’t expecting to get an applause in the middle of my performance, but it was one of the greatest feelings and gave me a lot of confidence.”
Kimyatta Sullivan, Solid Waste Services, closed out the show with an a cappella performance of “Ready for Love” by India Arie. She chose this song because it speaks to the soul.
“I enjoyed sharing my gift with my Team Charlotte family.”
Congrats to all of the performers:
- Betty Coulter, Finance — Risk Management
- Raymond Sullivan, Solid Waste Services
- Octavia Washington, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
- Bootsy Walker, Charlotte Department of Transportation
- Nicole Eaton, Charlotte Communications andMarketing
- Christopher Clark, Charlotte Area Transit System
- Kenneth Holmes, Solid Waste Services
- Angela England, Charlotte Department of Transportation
- Andrenetta Galloway, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
- Donald Dean, Solid Waste Services
- Toshiko Fowler, Charlotte Area Transit System
- Otis and the Revelators (Scott Monti — Attorney’s Office, Mark Newbold — Attorney’s Office, Gerry Hagstedt- Innovation & Technology) with special guest Sheila Simpson — Human Resources
- Kimyatta Sullivan, Solid Waste Services
There’s more
If you missed the performances, you can watch the full video below.
And yes, we’ve also got photos.
Many thanks to the attendees and talent. The show was organized by Solid Waste Services, Human Resources and Charlotte Communications and Marketing.
We can’t wait to see even more talent next year!
