Thousands of Los Angeles students are going to dance, sing, play instruments and show off other talents this weekend in the Big Apple -- or a replica of it anyway.

One of the country's largest talent shows will be held at Paramount Studios' "New York City" backlot in Hollywood on Saturday.  The competitors include more than 2,500 students from dozens of L. A. Unified  high schools and middle schools.

Rapper and Actor Nick Cannon will host the event and the performers will be judged by a guest panel, which includes Dancing with the Stars' Sharna Burgess.

Student winners will receive a share of more than $30,000 in scholarship funds. 

The invitation-only event is in its fifth year. It's sponsored by the district's after school branch, Beyond the Bell and is part of the district's Take Action Leadership Campaign,  a year long series of projects around the city aimed at helping develop student leaders.