I started Ability Idol in 2016 but it now goes by the name of Cahoots in Concert. I have always thought that there are many people living with disability that love music and love to perform but don’t get the chance to show their gifts and talents. Cahoots in Concert gives people living with a disability a chance to perform in front of a live audience, which is great!
In the beginning, it was generously supported by the City of Melville Robin Hood Project and was held at Kadidjiny Park in 2016. We had real cash prize up to $1,000 dollars to heat up the competition on the night and it was a huge success. The event was coordinated by a volunteer committee who helped with all the logistics. One of these committee members was Jess Karlsson, the CEO of Cahoots. She saw a potential in the event and the vision for everyone to be included in this opportunity and took me on as an employee of Cahoots to keep the project going. In the next few years Cahoots helped host the event at some really great venues like East Vic Park Farmers Markers, Mandarah Crab Fest and WA Day Festival. And this year we are going online! We changed the name from Ability idol in 2018 because we want ensure Cahoots in Concert was run by Cahoots.
Cahoots now has an established marketing team. My role is the Community Engagement Officer and this is just one of the many events that I work on. Together with Sam Evans, the Communications and Event Officer, we are aiming to make Cahoots in Concert bigger and better every year. Without working as a team, there wouldn’t be an event this year but we have managed to overcome various challenges to adapt to a new environment.
COVID-19 hasn’t stopped us. This year will be a bit different but there is still a competition with great prizes so I would courage everyone to apply!
It’s also great see our name right sponsor Act belong Commit back again for second consecutive year.
Unfortunately, our 5 years anniversary celebrations will have wait until next year when we bring out the balloons and steamers on stage and some past contestant and VIP’s but hopefully we will have a record crowd that could join us for this celebration next year. We hope to have our finale at WA Day Festival 2021.
I wish everyone the best of luck this year and enjoy voting online for your favorite contestants for first time.
Kind Regards,
Ben Cox – Cahoots Community Engagement Officer
For media inquiries contact Samantha Evans communications@cahoots.org.au or 0487435086.
