Larice Roop remembers watching her daughter Spencer sing in the crib even before she could talk.
Fast-forward 14 years: Roop on Jan. 20 watched her 14-year-old singing daughter win the Kent-Meridian High School Idol contest. And on Jan. 29, she’ll get to see her daughter compete yet again, in the first “Kent’s Got Talent” show. Kent’s first-ever stab at talent-show excitement is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Kent Senior Activity Center.
Larice has been all ears these past 14 years.
“She stayed in her crib and if the radio was on she would blabber along with it,” the proud mom said. “She would lay in bed and sing for hours when most babies cry. Her older brother would ask ‘When will she shut up?’”
All that practice seems to have paid off. Spencer had the $50 entry fee waived for the “Kent’s Got Talent” show, by winning the K-M contest with her rendition of “Glitter in the Air” by Pink.
“I was really surprised; I didn’t think I’d win,” Roop said. “There was a bunch of really good talent.”
The Kent-Meridian freshman is one of 10 performers registered so far for the show. The event is a fundraiser for the Kent Downtown Partnership, a nonprofit business group that works with businesses, property owners, residents, the city of Kent and the Kent Chamber of Commerce to develop and promote Kent’s downtown.
“I think it’s going to be a great night of entertainment,” said Barbara Smith, executive director of the Kent Downtown Partnership. “We have several performers who have publicly won contests.”
In addition to Roop, there are some other recognizable names in the mix for the show: Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke, Kent attorney Mark Albertson (who played in a rock band during law school), Kris Novak of Mama Stortini’s restaurant, an Allegro Performing Arts Academy trio dance group and a skit ensemble called Three Babes and a Dude.
Cooke has yet to reveal what her act might be. Albertson also will serve as master of ceremonies.
Disregarded Entity, a band of certified public accountants from South King County, is the host band and will back up many of the performers as well as entertain the crowd with a few numbers.
Tickets are $5, which includes one token to vote for the best talent in Kent. The amount of $1 tokens placed in each participant’s talent box will determine the winner. Extra tokens can be purchased for $1 all night to place in a contestant’s ballot box.
“I think it will definitely be fun,” Roop said about competing in the talent show. “I enjoy getting up in front of people and performing. I like to bring a smile to people’s faces because it makes me smile.”
Roop has yet to decide what song she will perform. Her favorite singers from a lengthy list include Pink and Christina Aguilera. In addition to her talent-show gigs, the K-M student also sings soprano in her school’s choir. She first performed in the second or third grade when she attended East Hill Elementary in Kent.
“I’ve been singing before I could talk,” Roop said. “It’s like second nature. I’d sing along with the radio or with my mom.”
Even though Roop loves to sing and plans to always keep on singing, she doesn’t plan to pursue it as a career.
“I want to be a pediatrician,” she said.
The Roop family plans to invite friends and family to the Kent show to cheer for Spencer.
“I think it’s neat to have a talent show with people of all ages,” Larice Roop said. “I think it will be fun. And I’m proud of her (Spencer). She can hold her own. We were surprised she won (at Kent-Meridian). But she’s really good. She’s fearless.”
If you go
What: “Kent’s Got Talent” show
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 29
Where: Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St.
Cost: $5 at the door, includes token to vote for best talent
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