The Sunshine Coast series of Senior Superstar is back. Already we have a great range of talented seniors register to be a part of the 2012 series. All are welcome to show us just how talented seniors are. All kinds of acts are welcome. If you are over 55 and live in the Sunshine Coast region, we’d love you to be a part of the series.To register go to Sunshine Coast and download the entry form and send to the address listed. Or come along, have a great day out, support your seniors and enjoy what promises to be some great shows ahead.
Senior Superstar
Heat 1
Saturday 4 February, 2pm
Maroochy RSL
Memorial Avenue
Maroochydore

The 14-strong team of cloggers known as the Get Rhythm Dance Team were crowned the winners of 2011 Senior Superstar when they tapped and dazzled the capacity Grand Final audience and judges in QPAC’s Concert Hall.
From 67 acts that have competed in the auditions, six heats and two semi-finals since the contest kicked off in May, the 13 acts showed precisely why they had earned a place in the Grand Final.
The Get Rhythm Dance Team, whose ages range from 57 to 70, produced syncopated sharp moves and clever choreography complete with head turning naval themed costumes to “Symphony Of the Seas”.
Second place went to first time entrant and the eldest grand finalist, Doug Marsh, 90 from Tarragindi/Ekibin.
Doug’s version and emotive singing of Sonny Boy left many an audience member with a tear in their eye.
Third place went to Zenaida Thornton, 57 from Kangaroo Point who was resplendent in silver, singing “The Living Tree”, which was recorded by Shirley Bassey when she was 70.
It was no easy choice for the discerning judging panel – John Michael Howson, Mary Schnieder, Judy Glen and Damien Anthony Rossi. Other contestants such as Jim Ryan, 68 from Geebung rocking the stage as a replica Elvis, three time Grand Finalist Barbara Tyrrell from Stafford Heights producing a stunning performance singing “This Is My Life”, Brisbane’s favourite rooster, Gloria Knight sung the “The Fowlhouse Lament” and Kristy Shivola took to the stage in a bridal type gown to sing “Make Me An Island”.
In addition to the contestants, the show included guest performances from Senior Superstar 2006 winner Glad Graveson, 2009 winner Darcy Turgeon and last year’s winner Michael Burke . The audience was in raptures and gave a standing ovation when guest judge Mary Schneider yodelled her way through a selection of classical music.
Many people commented that this was the best Senior Superstar Grand Final. Brisbane’s Senior Superstar is proof that talent is ageless and that we should always recognise and celebrate the creative contribution of our over 55s.
Get Rhythm Dance Team won a 14 Day Grand Coastal Explorer holiday for two people valued at $6,550 from Queensland Rail Holidays (who knows how they will use that!).
All finalists received $100 gift vouchers from Queensland Rail, tickets to Le Grand Cirque courtesy of QPAC and 4BC gift bags.

Once again the crowds turned out to see who would go through to the Grand Final.
Souths Sports Club hosted the final event in the series before the Grand Final and over 450 people were eager to see the best the South side had to offer.
2010 finalist, Zenaida Thornton brought out the big guns and more to secure her place in the Grand Final with her presentation of “For Once In My Life”
Bill Healey normally a singer with a country love went to Europe and dressed as a Gondolier singing the Dean Martin hit “That’s Amore”
Thea Booth took the audience on a journey of love, loss and growth when she presented a piece of prose captivated the audience entitled “The White Magnolia Tree”
The smoothest 90 year old in Brisbane, Doug Marsh crooned and swooned his way to the final with his mesmerising version of “The Bluebird of Happiness”
Senior Superstar’s favourite Rooster, Gloria Knight sung about the ups and downs of “Love In A Foulhouse”
People’s Choice went once again to Kristy Sihvola’s with her incarnation of a 70’s Cher (before all the work and tape) singing the betrayal ballad “Dark Lady”
All will be returning to the big one, The Senior Superstar Grand Final at the Concert Hall at QPAC. Ticket have been snapped up for this event. However, you can ring QTIX on 136 246 and request to be put on the waiting list for any returned tickets.

Well it’s only a few weeks to the hottest ticket in town! All tickets for the Senior Superstar Grand Final were booked out in under 2 hours. If you were fortunate enough to get your tickets, it’s going to be a great show with the best that Brisbane seniors have to offer. For ticket holders who can’t make it, please return your tickets to QTIX via mail or directly to the QPAC box office. If you missed out on tickets, you can register on the waiting list by ringing QTIX on 136 246.
The Grand Final commences at 1.30pm with doors opening at 1.00pm. There will be an interval and the show will conclude at 4.30pm. The QPAC Cafe and Bistro will be open should you choose to have a bite to eat or a coffee or tea before the show.
We’ll see you there
Sunday 28 August, 1.30pm
Concert Hall, QPAC
Cnr Grey & Melbourne St
Southbank

The crowds swelled to see the amazing array of talent, which was Grand Final material and of such a high standard that points for the finalists were judged only by half point. There were only five places for the Grand Final and this was to prove a very tight decision. 480 people crammed into the Broncos to see who would be chosen.
Barbara Gaygan’s version of the Madame Butterfly song “One Fine Day” scored her a place in the final.
First time entrant, Dawn Moore captivated the crowd with her dazzling performance of “Cry Me A River”.
Joy Darmody had her tassels in overdrive as she presented “You’ve Got To Have a Gimmick”from the musical Gypsy .
Jim Ryan brought out the big guns when he nailed “New York, New York”
The Get Rhythm Dance Team was in fantastic formation as they kicked off their entry to the final with an aquatic medley titled “Symphony of The Seas”.

For the first time ever there was a tie for People’s Choice. Senior Superstar favourite Barbara Tyrrell performed the theme from Love Story made it through as did Jim Hodgson who sung “Try a Tenderness”. These two crowd favourites will go through to the Grand Final.

The second semi final is on
Sunday 14 August, 1.30pm
Souths Sports CLub
Mortimer Road
Acacia Ridge
DOORS OPEN AT 12.30PM
No bookings will be taken for this event – there is plenty of room for everyone. So see you there!

For any of you who have been to the heats you’ll know what a treat is in store at the semi finals. There is an amazing range of talent ready to wow us in the coming weeks.
Please note – the semi finals are not ticketed, nor can you book a table. There is plenty of room at these two great clubs to fit everyone in! If you come early you can enjoy a great lunch before the show starts.

See you there!

SEMI FINAL 1
Sunday 7 August, 1.30pm
Broncos Leagues Club
Fulcher Road
Red Hill
DOORS TO ROOM WILL OPEN 12.30pm

SEMI FINAL 2
Sunday 14 August, 1.30pm
Souths Sports Club
Mortimer Road
Acacia Ridge
DOORS TO ROOM WILL OPEN 12.30pm

It was a full house with no room to move at Coorparoo RSL for the final heat of Senior Superstar.
This was another tough heat with the talent stakes driven higher.
First time entrant and senior superstar elder at 90 years old, Doug Marsh had the crowd captivated with his presentation of the Al Jolson classic “Sonny Boy”.
The second semi-finalist was Linda Lee Blair who looked fantastic frocked up as she sung the Connie Francis classic “Stupid Cupid”.
Our third finalist through to the semi finals was Norma Babet. Norma sung “Over The Years” whilst accompanying herself on ukulele.
Our own senior showgirl Kyle Minoque inspired Kristy Sihvola made her most spectacular debut and was rewarded by being voted People’s Choice when she sung Kylie’s “It’s In Your Eyes”.

Next Sunday the Semi Finals kick in with the Northside battling it out at Broncos Leagues Club at 1.30pm. Doors will open at 12.30pm so come along and see which acts make it through to the Grand Final.

It’s now getting to the pointy end of the series with Heat 5 – the second last for the Brisbane series full of variety and top entertainment. Four of the eleven acts that took to the stage have made their way to semi-final 2 on Sunday, 14 August at Souths Sports Club.
Senior Superstar regular, Thea Booth mesmerised the audience when she recited the Academy Award nominated, Golden Globe and Tony award winning writer, Helen Deutsch’s touching prose, “The White Magnolia Tree”.
While she might have lost her house and all her belongings during the floods, Merice Briffa hasn’t lost her stage pizazz. She was determined still to enter this year and it paid off when she Egyptian danced her way through to the semis.
First time entrant, David Eames had the crowd in stitches as he sang with his ukulele about “When Cheryl Went Feral”. David only started learning ukulele two years ago and decided to give Senior Superstar his best shot.
Doreen Lim won the audience vote for People’s Choice singing “The Wedding”. However, she cannot perform at the semi final. The second place for People’s Choice was Vic Shaw who also scored fourth place with the judges. Vic was a very entertaining first timer who is excited to be offered a semi finalist start.
The final sixth heat will be held this weekend (Sunday, 31 July) at Coorparoo RSL.
Grand Final update – The Grand Final is on Sunday 28 August at 1.30pm at the Concert Hall at QPAC. The Grand Final is free to attend but bookings are essential and tickets are available through QTIX from 9am, 1st August by telephoning 136 246.

The fourth heat of Senior Superstar was the toughest yet with the talent being of such a high standard that scores were very close. This resulted in a tie for third place, with the fourth place getters (all four of them) missing out on third place by .5 of a point.
The heat was full of variety and even bird life.
Gloria Knight sung and clucked her way into the semis with a song about a rooster called “Love in the Fowlhouse”.
Bill Healey serenaded the crowd with his version of the country classic “I Can’t Stop Loving You”.
86-year-old Jean Clark’s harmonica playing had the audience singing along to her mesmerising presentation of “In the Chapel in the Moonlight”
Brisbane’s own Shirley Bassey , Zenaida Thornton tied with Jean after singing “Never, Never, Never”.
The People’s Choice place went to fifties inspired Glenda Lutzke singing the Connie Francis hit “Robot Man”.
The five acts will return to perform at the second semi final at South’s Acacia Leagues Club.

It may be cold but Sandgate heated up in the third and final North side Heat at the Sandgate Bowls Club. Over 250 people came to see which 4 acts would make it through to the semi final at the Broncos Leagues Club on the 7th of August.
It was a very tough heat and a great afternoon of entertainment.
First time entrant and karaoke lover Martin Kelly wowed the crowd with is presentation of the Gerry and the Pacemakers anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
The Get Rhythm Dance Team returned in full force as they danced through a rollicking version of “Casey Jones”.
Another first time entrant, Dawn Moore not only wowed the judges but had the audience in awe when she sung out the classic “Birth Of The Blues”.
The People’s Choice award went to 20’s styled flapper Faye Cooper. Faye looked great in her red-fringed dress as she sung and danced through “Music, Music, Music”.