Windy City Gay Idol kicks off its seventh year featuring the best amateur gay and lesbian singers in the Chicago area. What started as a fun promotion with Windy City Media Group has become the largest and most highly anticipated annual event in Chicago's LGBT community. And you don't have to sing to be a part of it. Just come and vote!
The first event will be at Star Gaze bar in Andersonville Sunday, March 29.
Windy City Gay Idol 2009 includes preliminary competitions one night only at many different bar locations, where as many as 20 participants sing at each venue. All contestants compete for the chance to advance to the semifinals Saturday, May 30, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted. Results from every preliminary, semifinal and final event come from audience votes. Votes from friends, family and audience members hopefully land them on the stage at the Finals Saturday, June 13, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted.
Premium sponsors this year are Miller Lite and Skyy Vodka. Other co-sponsors include: American Airlines, Broadway in Chicago, Creaoke, Ravinia, and WCPT AM & FM: Chicago's Progressive Talk and Windy City Media Group.
With more than $5,000 in cash and prizes, the road to the seventh anniversary of the Gay Idol finals is not easy. All contestants will face local celebrity judges that include cabaret and rock singers, local DJs, theatrical stars and others familiar with the performance arena.
Each winner collecting the most votes at a preliminary bar will win $100 cash. Two winners from each bar will advance to the semifinals. Audience members at each bar also have the chance to win great prizes, such as Miller merchandise, Broadway in Chicago and Ravinia tickets, and much more.
The finals include big prizes for audience members as well as the top three contestants, including weekend stays at downtown hotels, travel packages and theater tickets to top Chicago theaters and concert venues.
The winner of the entire event at Sidetrack will walk with $1,000 in cash, airline tickets from American Airlines and much more, not to mention the coveted title of Windy City Gay Idol 2009. The event is open to all amateur singers age 21 and above, regardless of sexual orientation. There is a $10 signup fee for singers, and a $5 fee for audience members at all preliminary events. There is a $10 cover at the semifinals and finals at Sidetrack.
The 2009 schedule:
—Sunday, March 29: Star Gaze, 5419 N. Clark, 6 p.m. sign up, 7 p.m. start.
—Tuesday, April 7: Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark, 9 p.m. sign up, 10 p.m. start.
—Thursday, April 16: Spin, 800 W. Belmont, 8 p.m. sign up, 9 p.m. start.
—Tuesday, April 21: Crew, 4804 N. Broadway, 7 p.m. sign up, 8 p.m. start.
—Wed., April 29: Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark, 8,p.m. sign up, 9 p.m. start.
—Wed., May 20: @mosphere, 5355 N. Clark, 8 p.m. sign up, 9 p.m. start.
—Thursday, May 28: ( Wild card ) Roscoe's, 3356 N. Halsted, 9 p.m. door opens, 10 p.m. start. Invited guests plus open slots for new singers.
—Saturday, May 30: ( Semifinals ) Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, 2 p.m. door opens, 4 p.m. start.
—Saturday, June 13: ( Finals ) Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, 2 p.m. door, 4 p.m. start/
Additional bars may be added. Check www.windycitymediagroup.com for details and rules.
For more information or photos, contact Cynthia Holmes at 773-871-7610, ext. 301, or cynthia@windycitymediagroup.com . Complete rules and regulations at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com .