Got Talent? Take A Chance on Livin' the Dream

If your kids aren't old enough yet for the golden ticket to American Idol fame, they can take part in a local talent competition and take a shot at St. Louis stardom.

Aspiring young singers and dancers throughout the metro area are invited to audition for the Living' The Dream Talent Competition, sponsored by the Delta Dental Health Theatre and Street Dreamz Artist Development Center.

Kids ages 18 and under can enter the contest for a chance to win a recording studio package at Street Dreamz Artist Development Center in St. Louis Mills Mall as well as a chance to compete live on Laclede’s Landing at the Kingdom of Healthy Smiles free Family Fun Day event on August 6.

The studio recording package includes a fully produced, custom recording session (including song development, mixing and editing), a custom-produced music video and artist development counselling, a package worth $2,000. In addition to the grand prize, finalists will receive a one-hour studio recording session or recorded video.

To enter, visit www.ddhtstl.org and upload an audition video no longer than five minutes featuring your child or your child's group performing a song (original or cover) or dance routine. All videos must contain no profanity or inappropriate subject matter or they will be automatically disqualified. The deadline for entry is July 5, 2011.

UPDATE: The deadline for entry has been extended to July 9!

Contest semi-finalists will be selected and posted for online voting from July 10 through July 25, 2011. The top five finalists will be notified by July 29, 2011 and will compete live for the grand prize at the August 6 free Family Fun Day event.

“Street Dreamz works with young artists of all levels of experience, guiding them in a positive direction and helping them become not only good musicians, but people of integrity,” says Street Dreamz founder and former Def Jam recording artist Koran Bolden. “We are excited to hold this competition to find the next great young artist and leader.”

Finalists will perform at the Kingdom of Healthy Smiles Free Family Fun Day on Saturday, August 6 on Laclede's Landing. This free event will feature fun and games, character visits from The Tooth Wizard and his friends, Buzz Lightyear, Dora the Explorer, Spongebob Squarepants and and Elmo, balloon artists, face painting, live entertainment and much more. Make plans to attend and bring a canned food donation to benefit Operation Backpack, a division of Operation Food Search that provides nutritious, kid-friendly, easy-to-prepare foods for children in need.

The event celebrates the grand reopening of the Delta Dental Health Theatre on Laclede's Landing. The Theatre provides interactive presentations, exhibits and programming in order to promote good oral health and overall healthy life habits for children and adults. For more information, visit www.ddhtstl.org.