Zamani, Oleana, Tellez finalists for Saba Idol

Sheritsa Oleana of Saba, Joel Tellez from the United States (US) and Mandy Zamani (US) have emerged as the finalists in the 2015 Saba Idol “Sabaoke” competition after Friday’s semi-final performances held in Scout’s Place. The finale of the competition, which is in its twelfth year, will take place on Friday, November 27, in Scout’s Place.

A dead heat between two performers forced a tie breaker. Zamani topped the competition with Oleana taking second. Joel Tellez took third place with a strong showing.

Fifth semester medical student Becca Coleen from Oklahoma performed a Kelly Clarkson song. Archaeologist Ryan Espersen from Canada belted out country and hard rock tunes. Joel Tellez, a medical student, and his girlfriend Mandy Zamani preformed hits from Bon Jovi, Jet and Donna Summer. Oleana rounded up the event with two songs from Dixie Chicks.

Six contestants had qualified for the semi-finals, but Joy-Ann Robinson, another Saba performer, was unable to compete due to a prior commitment in Curaçao.

Competition hosts and owners of Scout’s Place Barbara and Wolfgang Tooten said Scout’s is expected to be packed, as people want to join the fun and enjoy the performances. “It’s not easy to become Saba Idol … Only the best will make it. This is the only real live entertainment on Saba and everybody can make it his or her night.”

Barbara Tooten, Glenn Callao from the Philippines, Jason Ramsay, Rhiannon Davina Jorna and Tjeerd Abma were the judges for the competition. Saba Idol was born in 2004. It sprouted out of Scout’s Place “Sabaoke” nights at their venue. Since then many performers have become Saba Idols. Those winners, those living on Saba, hailed not only from the island, but from the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, Canada, the US, and Colombia.

Some 20 sponsors from St. Maarten and Saba helped to make the event possible.

The Daily Herald.