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After being voted into the top eight contestants on ”The Voice” last week, Parijita Bastola, a senior at Severna Park High School, will compete live at 8 p.m. tonight.
Fans can join Bastola’s family and friends for a watch party at Sullivan’s Cove restaurant on Ritchie Highway in Severna Park beginning at 7 p.m.
Bastola, 17, who has been passionate about singing as long as her friends and family have known her, is the first Nepali American contestant on ”The Voice.”
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Khristine Smith, a friend of the Bastola family, has known Parijita for seven years. Smith’s daughter, Abbie, and Parijita have grown to become best friends. The two have participated in music programs together at Severna Park middle and high schools.
“It’s unbelievable how everything comes full circle,” Smith said. “We’ve been watching ‘The Voice‘ for years because both of my girls are involved in singing and musical theater so we always said Parijita was going to be on there someday because of how talented and dedicated she is. And it happened.”
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Sean Martin, the owner of Sullivan’s Cove restaurant, was a supporter of Parijita even before her breakout performances on ”The Voice.” Several of Bastola’s friends work at Sullivan’s Cove, so it already made sense for him to host the watch party there.
“The simple answer for us hosting the watch party is really just because she asked me to,” Martin said laughing. “But I’ve known her since she was in middle school and with Parijita being the type of sweet person she is, I was more than happy to help. Having her family and friends support her at this place is such an awesome experience for all of us.”
Update: After failing to land among the original top four vote-getters, Bastola had to perform one more time for a chance to advance in the Instant Save. Unfortunately, after singing her final song on the show, “Make You Feel My Love,” she was one of three contestants who did not advance to the next round.
taji.burris@thebaltimorebanner.com
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Taji Burris has covered the Baltimore music scene since 2015 for outlets such as The Working Title and The 4th Quarter, and now at the Baltimore Banner.
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