Windy City Gay Idol announces that Fox's American Idol Top 10 Finalist from the first season, Jim Verraros, will be a guest judge at this year's finals competition at Circuit Nightclub. But first Gay Idol is headed into the semi-finals at The Eagle, 5015 N. Clark, on Saturday, June 11 with 20 contestants ranging from pop singers and country divas to rock and roll and hip hop talent.
The semi-finals hosted by Windy City Radio's Amy Matheny will feature guest judges ranging from club DJs and concert promoters to musicians, writers and a comedian. However, in the true sense of the competition, the audience members will choose the 12 singers moving to the finals Saturday, June 18 at Circuit Nightclub.
Windy City Gay Idol crowns the best amateur gay or lesbian singer in the Chicago area and what began as a fun promotion with Windy City Media Group and Bud Light has became a yearly anticipated event in the gay community. This year's competition featured 10 city bars and more than 100 contestants vying for their spot in the semi finals.
The finals will feature more giveaways and excitement for the audience than past years, with the audience members getting the chance to win a Bud Light Trek Mountain Bike, Broadway in Chicago Tickets, a Bud Light Bass Guitar and other fun prizes. But it's the winner of the competition, the Gay Idol, who walks away with not only the title but $1,000 in cash, two American Airlines tickets, a Bud Light Mountain Bike, the Bass Guitar and a weekend stay at the House of Blues Hotel.
'We are very excited to have Jim ( Verraros ) at our final competition at Circuit,' said Kathleen Ulm, promotions director of Windy City Media Group. 'I think it will make the finalists more aware that they have to kick it up a notch when they get on stage to not only impress the audience, but to impress a true entertainer who is living the biz.'
Jim Verraros came out of the premiere season of American Idol as a Top 10 finalist ready to take on the world. As an openly gay singer, Verraros recorded his first album, Unsaid & Understood, which was recognized by the OUT Music Awards for Outstanding Male Debut. He is currently in the indie-film Eating Out and just released his new CD, Rollercoaster, on his own record label, Koch Records, and released the first dance mix single, 'You Turn It On,' which is getting great reviews and national club play.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for the semi-finals at The Eagle and audience members are encouraged to arrive early. Ballots will be passed out until the first person begins singing and then no more ballots will be handed out. Start time slated for 7 p.m. sharp. Cover is $5.
Semi-Finals: Saturday, June 11—The Eagle, 5015 N. Clark. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. start; $5.
Finals: Saturday, June 18—Circuit, 3641 N. Halsted, 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. start; $5.
Windy City Media Group has received several top awards in 2005, including the Peter Lisagor Award for deadline news reporting to Cathy Seabaugh, Andrew Davis received an award for his coverage of African American AIDS issues, and Publisher Tracy Baim received the Community Media Workshop's Studs Terkel Award.
This year Windy City Times celebrates its 20th anniversary delivering the news. Also produced by Windy City Media Group: Nightspots, Windy City Radio, and Identity.
See www.windycitymediagroup.com .