Young talent dazzled a passionate audience at the showcase of the Rockstar: Georgian Bay competition at Georgian Bay Secondary School (GBSS) Friday night.

Music teacher Patrick Delaney took the stage to begin the night's festivities promptly at 7 p.m. as audience members still poured into the GBSS cafeteria. By the time the first act, Connor Vilaca, took the stage, there was only standing room left for the feverish crowd.

After stellar performances from local bands, Anytime Craze, Tomorrow's No Change and Somewhat Addictive, Delaney commented on the "American Idol-style signs" fans were waving in the air to support their favourite act. One audience member even sported a homemade Anytime Craze T-shirt to show her support.

As the night progressed, the audience quickly found that the solo performers were no less enthusiastic or entertaining than the bands, playing stripped down and intimate versions of anything from classics by the Eagles and R.E.M. to lesser known tracks by Patti Smith and the Foo Fighters.

By far the performance of the night belonged to Coffee House veteran Chelsea Randall, who performed a moving version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. An eerie silence fell over the cafeteria as Randall's powerhouse, emotional vocals, captivated the crowd. Some audience members even claimed to get chills from her performance.

After the final note-perfect performance of Hotel California by the Fletch Dogs, the audience convened on several tables at the entrance to cast their votes for their favourite acts of the night, which was no easy task. When Delaney commented on how difficult it would be to choose a winner in this competition, one audience member shouted, "They're all winners!"

The ultimate GBSS Rockstar will be crowned in June claiming a $200 prize donated by the Music Council plus an additional $200 collected through a competitors' entrance fee.

"Unbelievable," said Delaney after the event. "I never expected a crowd this big. We're going to need the ACC for the June concert."

"Multiple performers were magnificent," said audience member Lee Calvert-Morris lending credibility to Delaney's claim. "I will be attending the next one."

With round two of Rockstar: Georgian Bay taking place on March 28, excitement among students and members of the community alike will only grow, anxiously awaiting to see how these dynamic young musicians will top themselves next time.