I got the idea about 10 years ago when our family was getting ready to go to the beach together. It took a lot of pushing and pulling, but my family finally agreed to do it and it has brought a lot of laughter to our family get-togethers ever since. The rules are that every family member HAS to participate. No exceptions. You have to come prepared, too: you can't think of a talent the morning of the show. Props, costumes and accessories are greatly encouraged. Group talents are welcome. No karaoke allowed--one person (I'm not saying who, Dolly) used a karaoke machine one year to "sing" to a bunch of words on the screen of a tv. Not a talent. Talents are also supposed to be kept secret leading up to the show. It's always exciting seeing the person "take the stage" and not know what they are going to do!
Anyway, a family talent show is just a fun thing to do--usually on vacation or one night when the entire family can be together. The grandchildren in our family LOVE having it and get so excited about it--they take it very seriously. I also normally have fun posters and signs decorating the "stage" and I have family games to play right before the show starts to get the adrenaline pumping. These are games like crossword puzzles with each family member's name hidden inside or a dance-off where volunteers are needed. The winner usually gets a $5 gift card someplace. This year, I have two games up my sleeve!
Here are some of the pictures of our Talent Shows of the past to give you an idea of what has been done:
One year Maggie, our chihuahuha, and I acted out this famous scene from Titanic. I mouthed the words to "My Heart Will Go On" and dressed Maggie up as Rose--hat and all.
One year Maggie, our chihuahuha, and I acted out this famous scene from Titanic. I mouthed the words to "My Heart Will Go On" and dressed Maggie up as Rose--hat and all.
Leland and Dolly were just dating when he was initiated into the TS hall of fame. They gave us a bunch of information on cows and they ended up winning the trophy at the beach that year! Yes, we have an actual trophy that the winner gets to keep for a year. Dolly, make sure that thing is all bright and shiny for next Tuesday.
Daddy performed a magic show and did cool tricks like making quarters disappear!
The Logan family performed The Electric Slide for us. It was electric!
One year, Dolly and Dawn mouthed the words to a Celine Dion/Barbara Streisand duet for us! Very funny!
Denise played the recorder, while trying not to laugh. We all laughed at her!
Maggie and I did our talent together again one year. We performed "The Devil Went Down to Georgia". Again, I mouthed the words and she was the Devil. I am embarrassed to say that I know the entire song now. 
Mom whistled. Yes, that is a talent and boy, can she whistle! She does different trills and octaves. She's just naturally talented in that area. Poor Nugget (my parent's lab in the background). She was a sweet dog and died that summer:(
The Renalds family performed a song/skit about Mary and her little lamb. It was very cute and even big Juette participated in that (I think he is THE family member who is not Pro-Talent Show).
And one year Dolly and Dayna teamed up and did an Asian fan dance for us. Very creative and funny!
So, if your family is getting ready for a big vacation soon, try a family talent show! It's so much fun and I guarantee you will all laugh and laugh!
15 comments:
OK, this is hilarious! I am laughing so hard at those pics. Especially the one of the Logan fam doing the electric slide...and Dolly & Leland with the cow demo. Leland looks so funny.
Your titanic drama cracks me up with your boat. Did Roy build that for you?
Such a good idea and such fun memories. YOU MUST take pictures of the 2009 Talent Show and post about it.
Good post Donna. Now I've got "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" running through my head though! Did you have to change the words at the end to make it family friendly? Although I guess you DID have a female dog performing with you...
This is a hilarious post but a little embarrassing too! I forgot about some of those talents. Good for Leland being drug into this family tradition and not even being in the family yet. I'm surprised we didn't scare him away. I have to say some of my favorite talents were the Renald's family doing "So long, farewell" in the Austrian get up, mom and daddy doing the dance they did from their dance lessons and of course your "Devil went Down to GA" song. SO FUNNY!
Donna - Devil went down to Georgia? That is hysterical! I'm rolling! You guys are serious too! I mean, you've got sequence and props and costumes! You should write a book about your family adventures.
Now does Roy get involved with you, or is it always the dog?
Can't wait to hear what you all come up with this year. I know, set up a webcam and we can all tune in. You know there's a world of us that live vicariously through you guys!!! :) Have fun!
Tiger Dave--I forgot about that! When that part of the song came, I think I yelled "gun". There were young ears in the crowd:)
Angela, Roy and I teamed up one year for our talent. I only did 2 talents with Maggie. Roy has done 2 talents on his own. This year, he and Caroline are teaming up. I hope Caroline cooperates b/c Roy is REALLY excited about the talent. I'm serious!
You are so creative! What a great idea! That sounds like a lot of fun - can't wait to hear what you all do this year.
These photos are great. It make me nervous though to think of having to come up with something, but think it is a great idea!
How thrilling that there is a trophy for the winner. Does each participant get a vote or one vote per family?
Donna, you are the most creative little thang! I LOVE this idea and would so get into doing something like this with a big group. I love this kind of thing. I do have to say that my family would look at me like I was loo-loo if I suggested it.
Way to be good sports, Reber family and way to create these new family memories and traditions, Donna.
Somebody please hook up Skype so we can all be a part of the talent show....please, purty please? We want to see!!! (said in whiney voice)
I must say when Donna first brought up this idea we all were a bit reluctant but her ideas are usually good so we endulged her and we are glad we did!! We have some of the best memories from talent show and she's right, the kids LOVE it! One year mom dressed up as one of those "balloon people" that are outside car dealerships and other businesses blowing in the wind to try and get attention. The kids still say "look, there's Grammy!" when we pass by one of those things. We do have some good memories.
Okay, I got a few minutes to get online, while taking a break from unpacking. FUNNY FUNNY post Donna! I laughed at all the pictures! Cannot wait for this year. See you in TWO, count them, 2 days!!!!!
OK - this is SO up the ally of the Leahy family. We have talent shows every single time we all get together (and now my kids have talent shows every time we have company!). We love it!!!
I can't tell which one I think is the funniest - they are all great! I love how everyone participated so whole heartedly. But how come you can mouth words but Dolly cant actually sing them (with the karaoke machine)??! Is it becasue you have a dog? Is there a dog clause? :)
Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with this year!
Thank you Kristi W. I'm with you! It takes GUTS to get up there and sing Karaoke so I don't know what the big deal was. Also, I sang "New York, New York" just like Frank Sinatra and did all the "hupppps" that he did in it. I thought it was pretty good!
Dolly, sweetie: Remember the rule is that you have to come PREPARED. If I remember correctly, you got up in normal clothes and just did the song. To look at a TV with the words and sing along is not correct preparation. Now yes, you did do the kicks at the end and you added in the Sinatra "hups", but be honest....were you really prepared?
oh my goodness...That is so cuuuute! We are going on our extended family vacation in two weeks. I wonder if they will agree to this. It would be so much fun! and hilarious! thanks for the idea.
Fun, fun! Can't wait to hear about this year's talent!
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