The first ever Gen-Y Factor Talent Showcase and Competition for singers between the ages of 15 and 29 will be staged in April.

The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports will host this event in observance of Youth Month.

Acting Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye said that the talent showcase and competition will take a similar format to the international televised music competition, The X Factor.

Mrs. Lettsome-Tye said, “Gen Y Factor resembles the televised music competition, The X Factor as both competitions aim to find new singing talent contested by aspiring singers drawn from auditions.”

She said, “I’m delighted to introduce this talent showcase and competition because it celebrates the talent that the Virgin Islands have to offer. This event puts our talented young people in the spotlight and provides our local performers the opportunity to share their talent with the public.”

Singers are invited to register and audition for the talent showcase and competition as the Department continues to empower youth in the Territory.

Auditions are open to all persons between the ages of 15 and 29 residing in the Virgin Islands and will be held on February 29 through March 4 on Tortola in the UP’s Cineplex Ballroom from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Auditions will also be held on Virgin Gorda at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports’ office at the Vanterpool Administration Building on March 1 and 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Interested persons can e-mail their names and contact numbers to dyas@gov.vg for audition details. Deadline for submissions is February 26.

Successful audition participants will have the chance to compete in the official Gen-Y Factor talent showcase and competition in April.

For more information, persons should contact the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports at 468-4949.