Help Carmen reach the Big Apple

TINA’S Hotel in Kloof will play host to the Big Apple Music Festival fundraiser on Saturday, 18 June from noon to midnight to help raise R80 000 to send Carmen Rodrigues to New York so she can compete in Talent America 2016.

Carmen Rodrigues is a youthful singer-songwriter from the heart of Durban with a passion for life and a love of music. From a young age, she was exposed to live concerts, incredible musicians and inspiring teachers, all of whom pushed her towards the journey she finds herself on now.

Growing up with a strong sense of family, where loved ones huddled around a piano was the norm, is how this bright young singer developed a palate for the music she now loves. “Getting ready for your first performance, standing backstage and then walking into the lights only to see everyone staring at you in silence, your first thought is, ‘Don’t forget the words’, but once you’re there, you never want to leave,” she said.

The first time her father watched her perform was also his last. “Having my father pass away the day before Valentine’s Day was very difficult. It made

me question a lot about myself and my own strength. He was the perfect father. He was always the one to push me forward, to keep me motivated and make me happy. And what do you do after that? After the person whom you love so much is ripped from your life and you can no longer tell up from down?

“That was a moment of growing up for me. I realised it was time to adopt the faith he had in me, and use it to grow into the woman I know he would be proud of today. I decided to put myself out there, to be fearless. I began writing, co-writing and recording my own music. I went to open mics, karaoke evenings, pubs, bars, gardens, anywhere there was a stage I would be there singing.”

The passion and drive didn’t go unnoticed. Since the eve of 2012, Carmen has won multiple awards, trophies and certificates and this lea her to audition for Talent Africa, where she received two gold medals, one for her performance in the vocal pop category as well as the singer-songwriter category. “That moment was so much more than just receiving an award, it was a moment where I felt that others saw the potential in me to be great.”

Carmen also received the award for second overall performance in her age group, which was not limited to her category alone, but branched over that of the modelling, dancing, acting, and photo entries. This in itself, is an incredible achievement, which is why she has been selected to represent South Africa in New York for the final round.

The golden opportunity that she has been given costs an estimated R80 000. The costs include flights, accommodation, workshops with professionals in the New York industry and one-on-one mentorship with working Broadway stars.

Entrance is R70 per person and there will be a host of up-and-coming artists performing across all genres. Contact 074 872 7255 or 081 015 3777.