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Cutting edge comedians to host Talent Slam

Hayden Wasylyk and Alex McMahon will host Oxygen Art Centre’s celebration of local talent.
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Alex McMahon and Hayden Wasylyk will bring their unique

Nelson comedians Alex McMahon and Hayden Wasylyk have a unique, Andy Kaufman-esque comedic sensibility, and that’s what they’re planning to bring to their gig as hosts of the upcoming Oxygen Youth Talent Slam.

Just don’t expect everything they say to make sense.

“I think people are going to literally find themselves decapitated,” McMahon told the Star, adding he believes the pair will have to flee the country following their Valentine’s weekend performances.

“Don’t give away too much!” Wasylyk interrupted.

The pair are calling for any Nelson youth between the ages of 15 to 29 to come out to the Capitol Theatre this Saturday between 2 and 5 p.m. to strut their stuff. And they want everyone to try out, no matter how weird the act might be.

“You can do singing, music of all sorts—we’ll give you kisses on stage if you want,” Wasylyk said. “We love all sorts.”

McMahon was more direct: “Talent shows are the one time of year you can show people you’re better at something than somebody else. So come prove it.”

The selected talent for the show will receive one-one-one mentorships with professional artists Lucas Myers, Bessie Wapp and Slava Doval. They will work with the youth to prepare them for their big nights at the Capitol Theatre on Feb. 13 and 14.

Last year was the first annual Talent Slam, hosted by Dunavan Morris-Janzen and Galen Boulanger. Over two hundred people attended, inspiring organizers to expand the program for its second year.

Filmmaker Amy Bohigian will also be filming the backstage development of these artists, along with her work creating a film about the upcoming show Liberation Days.

To get involved pre-register for auditions online at oxygenartcentre.org.