BY SWEET BABY J’AI

You may have heard about McCallum Theatre’s Open Call Talent Project. Some of you may have even attended one in years past. But this year’s 2026 production, This Day!, felt especially powerful—like the entire evening was riffing off the same emotional chord progression.

What struck me immediately was the heart of the production. Yes, there were talented vocalists—from 12-year-old Nikolas Somers charming the audience with “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, to opera singer Ann Ochwat delivering notes with flawless pitch and breathtaking control, to the seasoned seventy-plus duet team of Keith Cornell & Mar Duebner proving artistry only deepens with time. And then there were all the beautiful voices in between—each bringing their own style, story, and spark to the stage.

Yes, the CVHS Dance Company and Grupo Folklórico Tonantzin dancers hit the stage with precision and fire, filling the theater with movement, rhythm, and cultural pride. And yes, there were moments where you could actually feel audience members leaning forward in their seats, whispering, “Wow.”

Honestly, I could probably list every contestant here because there truly wasn’t a weak performance among them. That’s what made the evening so special. The talent pool ran deep—from the rich brass-and-swing energy of Big Band Palm Springs to young dancer Swara D’Souza, whose body seemed to contour and bend through space like an improvised jazz solo come to life.

And maybe that’s why jazz kept floating through my mind all evening. Not necessarily because every act was jazz—but because the spirit of jazz was everywhere: risk-taking, individuality, rhythm, surprise, soul. Open Call moved the way a great jazz ensemble moves—different voices stepping forward, finding their moment, then passing the spotlight to the next artist with generosity and groove.

Were the performances perfect? They didn’t have to be. That was never really the point. What they were—was courageous, heartfelt, sometimes poignant, and often wonderful. Open Call isn’t about chasing flawless. It’s about meeting people where they live—in their hopes, nerves, joy, determination, and willingness to step into the spotlight anyway. And honestly, that kind of truth will always move an audience more than perfection ever could.

Classical pianist Patan Huang ultimately took home the Grand Prize honors, and deservedly so. His performance carried the kind of elegance and emotional command that quiets a room before the applause even begins. Other standout winners included Leah Scott for Best Vocalist, Vicenza Gist for Best Dancer, and saxophonist Christopher Frias Torres for Best Instrumentalist—each reminding the audience just how much talent lives right here in the Coachella Valley.

And then there was Audience Favorite winner Linda Ceniceros Gonzalez, whose rendition of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” was so full of feeling and conviction you half expected Aretha Franklin’s ghost to whisper, “Job well done, young lady.”

Extra kudos to the McCallum team for creating an experience these talented artists will likely cherish forever. From the seamless production flow to the striking lighting design, the evening felt polished while still holding onto its warmth and humanity. And the choreography and direction by Jennifer Backhaus? Absolutely stellar. She managed to weave together dozens of performers, styles, and personalities into a production that moved with the confidence of a well-rehearsed orchestra while still allowing each artist to shine.

And perhaps that’s what makes Open Call so important to this community. The Coachella Valley is often viewed through the lens of tourism and festivals. But nights like this remind us there’s another story here too: a valley filled with storytellers, dancers, vocalists, musicians, and creators hungry to express themselves.

That’s culture.
That’s community.
That’s legacy-building.

And speaking of music lovers, don’t miss McCallum Theatre’s first-ever Jazz Experience on June 13, culminating with a concert by the legendary David Benoit. If Open Call proved anything, it’s that this valley is overflowing with artistry—and the McCallum is smart enough to keep feeding it.

So consider me your eyes and ears on this one. Meet me there… because you already know I’ll be listening for the blue notes.  Visit www.mccallumtheatre.org/jazzexperience for tickets and more info.

Sweet Baby J’ai writes The Groove Report for Coachella Valley Weekly