This is the Grand Rapids Press article:
'Grand Rapids' Got Talent' at the B.O.B. attracts martial arts expert and all manner of contestants
By Sue Merrell | The Grand Rapids Press
January 25, 2010, 5:18AM
Emily Zoladz | The Grand Rapids Press
Mariah Moore, 16, of Alto, will perform martial arts in the "Grand Rapids' Got Talent" competition at The B.O.B. GRAND RAPIDS -- Mariah Moore says she's just an ordinary farm girl who likes to fight with sticks. But Moore, 16, passed ordinary years ago when she went to China at the age of 10 to study martial arts with Wu Bin, personal coach to Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
Since then Moore has racked up four national and world champion titles in Filipino Martial Arts and will defend her title in the national competition in March.
"I've never been a girly girl," Moore said from the family farm in Alto. "I liked watching Bruce Lee movies, and once I got started (at age 8) it's definitely been my passion."
A junior at Lowell High School who plans to open her own karate school someday, Moore is one of the area talents who will compete in a six-week "Grand Rapids' Got Talent" competition at The B.O.B.
"We've been pleasantly surprised by the great variety that have signed up," said Kelly Carey of Creative Edge Productions, which is coordinating the contestants. "We've got break dancers, rappers, all sorts of singers. It should be a community-wide event."
There are several new names among the list of contestants who have signed up to compete, Carey said. Not everyone who registers will be selected to perform, so Carey is encouraging registrants to provide plenty of information about any training or previous performance experience.
"You've really got to sell yourself," she said. "Brag."
Candidates will be selected purely on the merits of their registration, without audition, so there's always the possibility an act or two will flop.
"But isn't that always the favorite part of 'American Idol?'" Carey said.
There's also a chance of discovering an unknown gem, such as Susan Boyle, whose amazing voice stunned the "Britian's Got Talent" judges in 2009.
About 15 acts will compete each Thursday at Bobarinos on the second floor of The B.O.B., where the audience can enjoy food and drinks. Each selected act pays a $20 fee, but there is no cover charge for the audience.
"We're trying to be a little cautious with the content," Carey said. "It is an adult venue, but we expect friends and family of the contestants will be there, so we don't want anything too explicit. We want to keep it PG-13."
Audience members will vote with their wallets at a dollar a vote. Proceeds will go to Lacks Cancer Center of St. Mary's Health Care.
"We wanted to have a community feel," Carey said. "People love to help somebody out."
First, second and third places, totaling $300, will be awarded in each of the preliminary rounds. The 12 best acts will compete in the semi-finals on Feb. 24, with six finalists competing for a $1,000 grand prize on March 4.
Moore said she was encouraged by friends to sign up for the contest, and the potential prize money is a large part of the attraction.
"The prize money would definitely be nice to help my family with all the costs of international travel," Moore said. "And it's nice to get my face recognized."
