Ability Idol was originally pencilled in to be the pre-show entertainment at Music by Moonlight in March, but a severe thunderstorm cancelled the event.
However, the Town of Victoria Park will honour its commitment and people will be able to enjoy the sounds of the seven finalists while experiencing the markets.
The creative mind behind Ability Idol is Cahoots community engagement officer and Attadale resident Ben Cox, who has an intellectual disability.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“We had to go to our back-up plan as soon as knew the weather was bad; we phoned all of our finalists,” he said.
“The show will go ahead no matter if there is rain, hail or shine because we have a marquee. It feels good to put the show together because it shows what people living with disabilities can do.”
The performers all filled out an application form and sent in an audition tape before they were shortlisted and then picked as finalists from a team of judges that included former Dancing with the Stars dancer Carmelo Pizzino.
Forrestfield resident Lilyan Smith (17), who has autism, a rare form of migraine and mild cerebral palsy, is among the finalists.
“I’m looking forward to singing; I believe that anybody can sing, it doesn’t matter who you are,” she said.
“I love performing; I’m completing my advanced diploma in musical theatre at Australian Performing Arts Network Academy.
“I want to give back to the people who have helped me; I want to perform musicals and promote autism at the same time.”
It is the second year that Ability Idol has been run.
MORE: Refugees share tales at Amnesty forum
