Gator Growl Talent Night to include 'Battle of Bands'

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Gator Growl Talent Night starts at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Abbey Road in downtown Gainesville.

The event will be separated into two segments: a talent show portion to include vocal and dance categories, and the first-ever Gator Growl “Battle of the Bands” and comic review. The talent show portion of the event will begin at 8 p.m. Gator Growl “Battle of the Bands” and the comic review are expected to start about 10 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Gator Growl Talent Night is free and open to the public.

Confirmed talent show acts include solo vocalist/guitarists Tasha Youstin and Kellen Malley, Apocalypse Dance Troupe, Xtreme Dance Company and Soundstage. Ten 13 Concept, Scott Effman Band, March to May, Agent 99, and Red Right Return will vie to win the “Battle of the Bands” contest.

University of Florida basketball players Corey Brewer and Al Hordford will serve on the show’s judges’ panel.

The winners of the solo-vocalist and “Battle of the Bands” competitions are guaranteed to perform at Gator Growl 2005. Other acts that steal the spotlight may be chosen to perform at Gator Growl.

“The acts chosen for this year’s show are truly phenomenal,” said Talent Night director Ashley Metzel. “We are so excited to have our first ‘Battle of the Bands,’ and we expect a large crowd for what should be a great night.”

Student-priced tickets to Gator Growl are on sale at the University Box Office for $5. General public admission tickets are $18 each and can be purchased at any Ticketmaster location, Ticketmaster.com, via phone at 904/353-3309 and at the University Box Office. Student-priced tickets cannot be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Gator Growl is the largest student-run pep rally in the world and has been a University of Florida and Gainesville tradition for 80 years. Past Gator Growl comedians include Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Bob Hope, Dennis Miller, Ray Romano and Robin Williams.