HOUSTON –
About 400 performers are hitting the audition stage this weekend, trying to snag a spot in a 10-day festival preceding Super Bowl LI.
Super Bowl LIVE will take place from January 27-February 5 at Discovery Green. The 10 day festival is free and open to the public. It will feature concerts, all types of game activities and plenty of food.
Saturday afternoon singers and performers packed into Memorial Hermann Southwest to audition in front of a panel of two judges.
“We are looking for the best of Houston,” said Creative Director Douglas May. “Every type of performer possibly out there.”
Stephen Gittens, 60, is a “trick cyclist” who performs all sorts of acrobatic moves on a bicycle. A technician by day, he started performing tricks at age 12.
“I’ve performed on cruise ships and hotels. I’ve been in a Cuban circus. I’ve been all over the world actually,” Gittens said.
RL Bell is a singer who made a sultry and show-stopping performance on America’s Got Talent this past summer. He auditioned Saturday with a rendition of “Easy Like Sunday Morning” by Lionel Ritchie.
“I think I did pretty good,” Bell said. “I was happy and I like to leave a performance being happy.”
The judges will select 75 to 100 performers to participate in the festival. They will announce their decision in the next few weeks.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for a lot of independent artists, I think it’s a great opportunity for a lot of businesses and I think it’s fantastic!” said Sha Davis, who sings in a band called The 1990s.