Has Anacortes got talent? Fundraiser aims to find out Posted by Jacob Buckenmeyer | Apr 11, 2012 | 291 views

Musicians, comedians, magicians and more have an opportunity to shine in Anacortes this year.

The Relay for Life team at Starbucks in Anacortes is organizing a variety show fundraiser featuring talents from across Fidalgo Island.

Auditions for “A-Town’s Got Talent” begin Thursday at the Brown Lantern Ale House.

Team member Marlo Cooley came up with the idea, which was ripe to be realized in a community as talented as Anacortes, she said.

“From the first time I mentioned it, my team loved it and ran with it,” she said.

People across the community have also been running with it. Anacortes Community Theatre stage manager Hope Dean stepped up to help coordinate the show, and City Councilman Brian Geer volunteered to be master of ceremonies.

The Anacortes School District has donated the space at Brodniak Hall for the May 19 show.

The Brown is hosting auditions as an alternative to its weekly open mic night. The first is 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Other auditions are 2-5 p.m. April 23 and 24 at Brodniak Hall.

Cooley has been singing since she was 3 years old, and she signed up to audition Thursday. She said she hopes the variety show can be a permanent addition to the arts community in Anacortes.

“We would love for this to be the first annual show,” she said.

Thursday’s auditions are for the 21-and-over crowd. Another round of auditions will be held later this month. Cooley said talented people can register for auditions or show up and take an open spot on the list.

The 2012 Relay for Life in Anacortes begins June 23. Participants walk around the Anacortes High School track, starting at 3 p.m. and ending at 9 a.m. June 24.

Forty-one teams with 173 participants have already raised more than $32,000 for the American Cancer Society.