Media Release: Debut performer wins Urban Quest

It may have been his first-ever live performance on the big stage, but that didn’t stop Tevita Moala from singing his way to Urban Quest success over the weekend.

The 16-year-old Darwin High School student outperformed 10 other finalists to win the Mission Australia talent competition at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on Saturday night.

The singing pianist brought many in the sold-out crowd to tears with his rendition of John Legend’s I won’t complain.

The young Kiwi national introduced the gospel song as a dedication to a friend in New Zealand who has muscular dystrophy.

Guest judge Deni Hines described Moala’s touching performance as better than that of John Legend’s.

“I want it on CD, ‘cause I’d buy it now,” the soul songstress said.

An overwhelmed Moala was lost for words at the win, scoring for himself 12 months mentoring from Music NT, cash and studio recording time.

“My friend Jeanie entered me in the competition, so if it weren’t for her I wouldn’t be here now,” Moala said.

“I was really nervous - this is the first time I’ve done something like this - but I just felt the music and am so happy.”

The Michael Buble and Temptations fan will now put his winnings to work as he pursues his musical dreams.

Jack and Sam Weaver and Peter Rautoka were equal runners-up in the competition, which raised funds for youth homeless across the Top End.

Australian pop idol Mark Holden awarded all three acts a “touchdown”, as well as 13-year-old Shiane Hawke with her collaboration of Amazing Grace and Duffy’s Mercy.

Beatboxer Kane Bishop was awarded Best Composition of the night.

Mission Australia Operations Manager Brad McIver said the night was a huge success and lifted the profile of youth homelessness.

“The money raised will support us to develop new accommodation for homeless youth in the NT and expand our current services and programs,” Mr McIver said.

“Every little bit helps and if we can make a difference in one of the 5,000 homeless Territory kids lives, then that’s what this event was all about.”

Urban Quest will become an annual fundraiser on the Mission Australia NT calendar.

For more information and interviews contact Domonique Young on 8941 9169 / 0433 447 255 or email domonique@creativeterritory.com.

View recent coverage of Urban Quest here

Media Release: Tough call at Urban Quest semi-finals

Eleven acts are through to the Urban Quest Finals Concert on Saturday night after the judges struggled to choose just 10.

Former Australian Idol judge Mark Holden delivered three touchdowns through the 20 performances, including opening rock duo Jack and Sam Weaver. More than 1000 people turned out to support the young performers , aged between 11 and 18, at Casuarina Square.

The youngest finalist Kaiyah Chadwick, who’s in Year 6 at Marrara Christian College, wowed the audience with her rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ without backing music, while beatboxer Kane Bishop reverberated through the crowd.

Mark Holden will now work with the young singers in mentoring workshops to polish their performances ahead of the big night.

“It’s fantastic being up here,” Mark Holden said.

“But what I really looking forward to working with each of the finalists and improving their performance.”

Organised by Mission Australia, Urban Quest hopes to raise awareness of youth homelessness in the Top End and expand homeless accommodation services.

In the Territory, up to 5,000 people are homeless and more than a quarter are young people aged between 12 and 18 years.

The Urban Quest Finals Concert, which includes a performance by Deni Hines, starts at 7pm at the Darwin Entertainment Centre this Saturday, 2 April.

Tickets cost $17.50 per person or $50 per family of four, with all proceeds supporting Mission Australia to develop homeless services for young Territorians.

The 11 Urban Quest Finalists are:

• Kaiyah Chadwich, 11, Leanyer
• Peter Rautoke, 17, Palmerston
• Casey Glennon, 16, Malak
• Shaine Hawke, 13, Stuart Park
• Gabrielle Wright, 16, Palmerston
• Jianynne Anastacio, 16, Katherine
• Tevita Moala, 16, Darwin
• Kane Bishop, 15, Darwin
• Leighton Kay-Mick, 13, Karama
• John Micairan, 18 Palmerston & Floyd McDonald, 18, Karama
• Sam and Jack Weaver, 17 and 14, Wagaman

For more on each of the performers visit facebook.com/MissionAust. To purchase tickets to the Urban Quest Finals Concert visit www.darwinentertainment.com.au.

For interviews and images, please contact Domonique on 8941 9169 or email Domonique@creativeterritory.com

NT Youth impress at Urban Quest - live and by Skype

The search for talented Territorians is heating up, with the early Urban Quest heats unearthing plenty of amazing hip hop artists, singers and guitarists.

Last week’s heats at Darwin High School, Sanderson Middle School, Palmerston Library and Katherine High School attracted around 50 contestants aged from 10 to 19. One keen singer who was unable to attend the Katherine heat in person, due to local flooding, managed to Skype her performance – a first for Urban Quest!

Urban Quest not only gives locals the chance to display their talents, but it also generates funds for Mission Australia to develop accommodation for homeless young Territorians.

There’s been plenty of local interest in this year’s Urban Quest. The Palmerston heats were covered on Stepping Out With Katie Woolf (a local TV segment), view the video at our Youtube channel, and also by Hot 100 FM's Amanda Pernechele.

The next heats take place this Saturday, 19 March, at Malak Theatre, Palmerston Library and Brown's Mart Theatre at 2pm.  Entrants can now register on the day.

Hot 100 FM's Amanda will then join Mark Holden on the semi-finals judging panel on 29 March at Casuarina Square.

All Urban Quest entrants go in the running to win cash, studio recording time, mentoring and iPods.

Ten acts will then experience a workshop with Mark ahead of the big finals night at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on 2 April at 7pm. Deni Hines will perform on the night and also join Amanda and Mark in the judges’ box to choose the NT Urban Quest winner.

You can keep up to date with Urban Quest at facebook.com/missonaust

Media Release: Top End talent hunt begins

The hunt for the Top End’s best young talent will get underway today with the heats of Mission Australia’s Urban Quest.

Urban Quest kicks off at schools across Palmerston, Katherine and Tiwi Islands at 3:30pm for artists under 19 years across vocal, street, rap and beatboxing categories.

The competition will raise much needed funds for Mission Australia to develop accommodation for homeless young Territorians.

The heats are the first step for contestants vying for a spot in the Urban Quest Finals Concert, which opens National Youth Week in Darwin.

Australian pop idols Mark Holden and Deni Hines will team up with local celebrity radio host Amanda Pernechele to judge the Finals Concert on 2 April at the Darwin Entertainment Centre.

Ten acts will go through to the finals concert and experience a workshop with Holden ahead of the big night.

The concert includes a guest performance by Deni Hines and local hip hop group DT3.

Competition details:

• 9 March heats at Tiwi Island College, Sanderson Middle School, Palmerston Library and Katherine High School at 3:30pm
• 11 March heats at Maningrida Community
• 19 March heats at Malak Theatre, Palmerston Library and Browns Mart Theatre at 2pm
• 29 March semi finals at Casuarina Square at 3:30pm
• 2 April Urban Quest Finals Concert at Darwin Entertainment Centre at 7pm

For more information, entry forms or to donate visit this link or go to the event on Facebook: facebook.com/missionaust/event...

For more information or interviews please call Domonique Young on 08 8941 9169 or email Domonique@creativeterritory.com

Urban Quest NT: Do you have the talent to score a touchdown?

Young Northern Territory singers, rappers, groups and beatboxers who think they have what it takes to impress Mark Holden and Deni Hines should sign up for Urban Quest by 1 March.

By taking part in the Urban Quest competition you’ll not only share your talents with the Territory, but also help Mission Australia to develop accommodation for young Territorians who are homeless.

More than a quarter of the almost 5,000 Territorians who are homeless are aged between 12 and 18.

Mission Australia Operations Manager Brad McIver said Urban Quest will address an emerging problem in Darwin and Palmerston: “The majority of young homeless people are fending for themselves and sleep out in improvised dwellings or shack in with friends, acquaintances and really anywhere they can.

“Urban Quest will help generate funds to support the development of accommodation for them through event participation, public donation and finals concert tickets.”

Entrants also go in the running to win cash, studio recording time, mentoring and iPods. Entry costs $10 per contestant and $5 for each additional contestant.

Heats, which are open to young people aged 10 to 19, will be held on: 9 March at Darwin High School, Sanderson Middle School, Palmerston Library and Katherine High School at 3.30pm.

19 March at The Malak Theatre, Palmerston Library and Browns Mart Theatre at 2pm.
Successful acts form the heats will then join Mark Holden and radio host Amanda Pernechele at the semi- finals, to be held on 29 March at Casuarina Shopping Centre at 3.30pm.

Ten acts will then experience a workshop with Mark ahead of the big finals night at the Darwin Entertainment Centre on 2 April at 7pm. Deni Hines will perform on the night and also join Amanda and Mark in the judges’ box to choose the NT Urban Quest winner.

Registrations close 1 March. For more information or an entry form, call 8935 0900 or download a form here.

Applicants can send their completed forms to PO Box 2498 Palmerston 0831, email them to streeterk@missionaustralia.com.au (and pay entry in person at the heat) or delivered in person to Mission Australia @ Level 1, 6 Frances Drive, Palmerston.

Keep up to date with NT Urban Quest at missionaustralia.com.au or facebook.com/missionaust.