It was just over seven years ago when 25-year-old Matthew Chew was stabbed to death in downtown New London at the hands of six “bored” teenagers. And it was just a few months after the fact when the New London talent show was created in response to that tragic event. The idea was simple: get New London’s youth involved in performance art and inspire them to showcase those talents at an annual talent show.

Now in its 8th year, the New London Talent Show has grown to include the talents of youth ages 10-25 from across the region (coming from as far as Hartford and Rhode Island) and has become one of the most anticipated annual events in the Whaling City — pulling the region together to celebrate diversity, talent and community.

Past acts have included remarkable performances: singer Braiden Sunshine of Old Lyme; breakdance groups; and salsa numbers. This year will feature 18 acts from 23 towns. And we must say, these aren’t just last-minute performance thrown together the day before. The 18 selected acts first had to audition, with over 200 other acts, at the Crystal Mall last fall to make it into the show, and have since had to attend thrice weekly practices over the last two months.

So what does this year have in store? Here are some hints. “There will be everything from different styles of dance (from modern to hip hop), to a guitarist to everything in between,” says the show’s director and founder Curtis Goodwin. “There is a little bit of something for everyone, R&B songs, to rock, to theatrical … and the level of talent has, by far, surpassed any of the years that we have done before.”

And a focus on diversity won’t be out of the spotlight either.

“We have a kid who is transitioning who is singing. A Native American cancer survivor from Rhode Island. Autistic kids performing left and right, and you would never know. A poet, who used to be homeless, who is now touring the U.S. doing poetry readings," Goodwin says.

In addition, New London High School band drum line will open the show with a skit, as well as live commentary from Jammin’ 107.7. We’re sure this will certainly be a ball of a time.

New London Youth Talent Show, 6 p.m. Saturday, Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; $15; gardearts.org.