(See links below for photos of this year's, and last's, Idol competitions.)
Chicago – Windy City Gay Idol is ready to kick off its fourth year of crowning the best amateur gay or lesbian singer in the Chicago area. What began as a fun promotion with Windy City Media Group and Bud Light has became a yearly anticipated event in the gay community. The events are hosted by Windy City Radio's Amy Matheny.
This year ten bars are part of the Gay Idol extravaganza, which will set up shop for one night at each bar, sign up as many as 20 participants each night—who will sing their heart out for the chance to advance to the semi-finals June 3 at Sidetrack (a new bar to the competition). All of this hard work and votes from their friends, family and audience members will hopefully land them on the stage at the finals June 16h at Circuit Nightclub.
But the road to Gay Idol is not easy, and all will face local celebrity judges critiquing their performances, including cabaret performers Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen, music critic and DJ Peter Mavrik, Grammy-nominated jazz singer Jeannie Tanner, event producer Julie Mosier as well as drag performer Chicago's own Cher (to name a few).
This year, each winner grabbing the most votes at a preliminary bar will win $100 cash. Two winners from each bar will advance to the semi-finals. Audience members at each bar will also have the chance to win great prizes, such as Bud Light merchandise, Broadway in Chicago tickets and much more.
The finals are where the big prizes come out for audience members as well as the top three contestants, including weekend stays at hotels, Bud Light Guitars, holiday excursions, season passes to theaters as well as Bud Light Trek Mountain Bikes.
The winner will walk with $1,000 in cash, the bike, airline tickets from American Airlines and much more, not to mention the coveted title of Gay Idol 2006.
The event is open to all singers age 21 and above.
Dates:
Closet –Thursday. March 16 7pm sign up/ 8pm start
Jackhammer – Tuesday, March 28 8pm sign up/ 9pm start
DiChanos – Friday, April 7 8pm sign up/9pm start
Hydrate – Thursday April 13 9pm sign up/ 10pm start
StarGaze – Sunday, April 23 5pm sign up/ 6pm start
Scots – Wednesday, May 3 7pm sign up/ 8pm start
Atmosphere – Wednesday, May 10 7pm sign up/ 8pm start
Spin ( WILD CARD ) – Thursday May 18th 8pm sign up /9pm start
Sidetrack ( SEMI-FINALS ) – Sat, June 3 5pm doors /6pm start
Circuit ( FINALS ) – Friday, June 16 7pm doors/ 8pm start
