Community leaders set to sing karaoke at Westmoreland Has Talent!

Carlotta Paige, co-founder of the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition, once aspired to a career as a singer.

Growing up in Westmoreland County, she sang with a group called The Cashmeres and later moved to New York City and got a job as an administrative assistant at Columbia Records, hoping to get noticed.

A singing career wasn’t to be, but Paige will get her turn at the microphone during the coalition’s “Westmoreland Has Talent!” karaoke competition, set for 6-9 p.m. June 25 in the new event center at Live! Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield.

The organization’s third singing competition will feature a total of nine local community leaders and performers belting it out. Karaoke was last held in March 2020 due to the pandemic.

“This is the first time we’ll have some of the contestants also playing the guitar,” Paige said.

Returning to the stage will be Robert Gregerson, president of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.

“He sang Elvis last time, and I thought he was pretty good,” Paige said.

In 2019, Aileen Rosario, a development associate with Westmoreland Community Action and a native of Puerto Rico, sang a special pre-competition number in Spanish. This year, she’ll be a contestant.

Others displaying their vocal chops will be:

• Westmoreland County Commissioner Doug Chew, with his wife, Cyndi

• Raegan Hochman, a local performer and actor, starring in Split Stage Productions’ “Rock of Ages,” playing June 16-18 at Irwin’s Lamp Theatre

• Maria Lavelle, president and CEO of Pheple Federal Credit Union

• Rabbi Lenny Sarko of Congregation Emanu-El Israel of Greensburg

• Westmoreland Cultural Trust staff members Adam Seifert and Melissa Raichel

• Kevin Snider, chancellor of Penn State New Kensington

Winners will be determined by audience donations. After the votes are tallied and winners are announced, there will be dancing and an open-mic session for all attendees.

The evening also will feature hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and other fundraising activities. Master of ceremonies will be Dan DeBone, president and CEO of Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce.

“We’ll be the first organization to use the new events center, and we’re grateful to the casino for the opportunity,” Paige said.

Karaoke proceeds will benefit operations and training programs of the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition, whose mission is to promote unity and understanding among people of all cultures and backgrounds living in the county.

The coalition’s last major project was the 2020 Diversity Billboard Art Project, created in partnership with The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, in which 10 artists created works reflecting the theme, “Make Our Differences Our Strengths.” The works were displayed on billboards around the county.

A ticket for karaoke is $75. To reserve, visit wdcoalition.org. Evening attire is suggested.