In its fifth year, Windy City Gay Idol is continuing its search to crown the best amateur gay or lesbian singer in the Chicago area. The Gay Idol extravaganza includes four months of competition in 11 bars with hundreds of contestants singing their hearts out for the chance to advance to the semi-finals June 2 at Sidetrack. Their hard work and votes from friends, family and audience members hopefully land them onstage at the finals June 15 at Circuit, 3641 N. Halsted. There are more than $5,000 in cash and prizes this year.
Contestants face local celebrity judges critiquing their performances, including trained cabaret singers, local DJs, event promoters, professional musicians and casting agents familiar with the performance arena.
The singer with the most votes at each preliminary bar wins $100 cash, although two winners from each bar advance to the semi-finals.
At each event audience members also can win great prizes such as Bud Light merchandise, Broadway in Chicago tickets and much more.
For the finals, audience members and contestants have an opportunity for big prizes including weekend stays at downtown hotels, Bud Light Guitars, holiday excursions, season passes to top theaters and Bud Light Trek mountain bikes.
The winner will walk away with $1,000 in cash, the bike, tickets from American Airlines and much more, not to mention the coveted title of Windy City Gay Idol 2007.
Last year's winner, Christy Fairbarn, performed in front of 32,000 people at the Opening Ceremony of Gay Games VII at Soldier Field.
The remaining 2007 schedule:
Tues., March 27—Jackhammer—6406 N. Clark; 8 p.m. sign-up/9 p.m. start
Thurs., March 29—The Closet—3325 N. Broadway; 7 p.m. sign-up/8 p.m. start
Wed., April 4—Scot's—1829 W. Montrose; 7 p.m. sign-up/8 p.m. start
Sun., April 22—Mary's Attic—5400 N. Clark 7 p.m. sign-up/8 p.m. start
Tuesday, May 1—Crew—4804 N. Broadway; 7 p.m. sign-up/8 p.m. start
Wed., May 16—@tmosphere—5355 N. Clark; 8 p.m. sign-up/9 p.m. start
Thurs., May 31—SPIN ( WILD-CARD NIGHT ) —800 W. Belmont; 9 p.m. start
Sat., June 2—Sidetrack ( SEMI-FINALS ) —3349 N. Halsted; 5 p.m. start/doors open at 4 p.m.
Fri., June 15—Circuit ( FINALS ) —3641 N. Halsted; 8 p.m. start $10 entry for singers, $5 cover for audience members. The event is open to all amateur singers age 21 and above. Rules and regulations available at windycitymediagroup.com .
For more information or photos please contact Kathleen Ulm at 773-871-7610 or via e-mail at WindyCityMedia@aol.com . Complete rules and regulations are at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com .
