UVSC 24

## 24th UnitedVision Song Contest

**UnitedVision Song Contest 24**, often referred as **UnitedVision Song Contest May 2023**, was the twenty-fourth edition of the UnitedVision Song Contest. This was the first contest in 2 years to be held in May, due to Junior UnitedVision usually taking part in the month of May.

The event was held at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington**,** Kentucky on May 27, 2023. The show was hosted by Advisko.

7 States took part in the contest. Minnesota, Kentucky, Texas, Massachusetts, Florida, California, and Georgia. No new states debuted but 1 state returned (California) and 1 state withdrew from the contest (Tennessee). This was California's first participation in the year 2023, after not participating since December 2022.

The contest was organized by the UBU. The contest was partnered with Asian Americans for Equality for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

## **Location**

### **Host City**

**Lexington** is a city in Kentucky. It’s known for horse farms and thoroughbred racetracks like Keeneland. The Kentucky Horse Park features the International Museum of the Horse, the Hall of Champions and many equine breeds. Ashland, the estate of 1800s politician Henry Clay, includes a mansion and formal garden. Clay is buried at the Lexington Cemetery, which has an arboretum, lakes and a Romanesque gatehouse.

## Format

### Visual design

The slogan for this edition was, "the Power of Harmony". The official theme/artwork for the event was revealed on May 15, 2023. The generic logo spelled "UnitedVision Song Contest" with the host state and edition number in the middle at the bottom. The official logo was a Green Harmony Spiral. The background had similar colors to the Green Spiral. The UBU said "The force of harmony is represented by the green spiral. The Harmony strengthens good links between people and things, channeling energy and unleashing potential for achievement. When things are most successful, it is typically because a stronger connection and link was formed between people and things."

### **Voting**

Each state had to present their points; 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 points. Each point had to be given to each state. The televote had people give out 3 amount of points; which included 1, 3, 5 Points. Each point had to be given to different states and couldn't be all given to 1 state.

### Opening and interval acts

The Interval Acts were announced on May 5, the Winner from the last edition, Grimes will perform at the Grand Final and for the first time again, the UBU announced that Loreen (the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023) would preform at the Grand Final with her song "Tattoo".

### Stage design

The stage was decorated with the colors from the logo, there were decorations at the auditorium, the event did have a screen for the points and televote. Each state that participated this month, came up to the stage and sung there songs with the background visuals/props behind them on the stage.

## Participants

### Participating states

The UBU released information on May 5, that applications would open on May 7, and close May 14. The UBU announced on May 16 that 7 states were participating in the 24th edition which were, Minnesota, Kentucky, Texas, Massachusetts, Florida, California, and Georgia. Georgia used artist, Alec Benjamin, who represented North Carolina back in February 2022 and placed 3rd, he got the same placement but got more points than last participation.

During the grand final, California came out on top with 71 points, 13 points more than the runner up Kentucky (58).