By Michelle Hines, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5371
Posted 3-16-10
GREENSBORO, N.C. – American Sign Language Idol is back for another season. And saluting the King of Pop.
ASL Idol, a talent competition for advanced ASL students at UNCG, marks its sixth year Sunday, March 28.
The show begins at 2:30 p.m. in Elliott University Center Auditorium. It is free for members of the deaf community and $5 for others.
This year’s show honors the late Michael Jackson with sign interpretations of his greatest hits. “He is so popular in the deaf community,” says program director Sam Parker, a professor in UNCG’s interpreter preparation program. “They are very aware of him because he was such a fabulous dancer and his music videos were so visually stimulating.”
Parker and the entire Professions in Deafness faculty will open the show with Jackson’s “You Wanna Be Startin’ Something.” “We’re going to try to dance,” Parker says. “We’re going to try to dance in the spirit of honoring Michael Jackson and supporting the students.”
Five or six finalists chosen from auditioning students will entertain the crowd with their versions of other Jackson classics such as “Thriller” and “A-B-C.”
Detoine Williams returns as emcee. Judges, all deaf, will be Alicia Griffin, Frank Griffin and Ruben Leon.
Relay North Carolina, a free service that provides telephone accessibility to those with hearing, speech or sight disabilities, sponsors ASL Idol. Proceeds go to Camp Dogwood, a camp for deaf and blind patrons located near Lake Norman. Donations are welcome.
Contact Sam Parker at (336) 256-1217 or sdparker@uncg.edu for more information.
