CONTACT:

Kathleen Ulm, 773-871-7610

windycitymedia@aol.com

News Release Date: Jan. 30, 2007

Chicago – Windy City Gay Idol kicks off its fifth year search to crown the best amateur gay or lesbian singer in the Chicago area.  The popular promotion created by Windy City Media Group and Bud Light has become the most anticipated and successful annual gay bar series.

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 Nightclub.  

With more than $5,000 in cash and prizes this year, the road to the 5th Annual Windy City Gay Idol Finals is not easy. 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.

For the 5th year the Windy City Gay Idol Premiere Sponsor is Bud Light. Others include American Airlines, Broadway in Chicago, WindyCityQueercast.com and Windy City Media Group.

 

The 2007 schedule: 

Sunday, March 4 – Star Gaze ( Kick Off ) - 5419 N. Clark 7 pm signup/8 pm start

Thursday, March 8 – Hydrate - 3458 N. Halsted 8 pm signup/9 pm start

Tuesday, March 27 – Jackhammer - 6406 N. Clark 8 pm signup/9 pm start

Thursday, March 29 – The Closet - 3325 N. Broadway 7 pm signup/8 pm start

Wednesday, April 4 – Scot's - 1829 W. Montrose 7 pm signup/8 pm start

Sunday, April 22 – Mary's Attic – 5400 N. Clark 7 pm signup/8 pm start

Tuesday, May 1 – Crew – 4804 N. Broadway 7 pm sign up/8 pm start

Wednesday, May 16 - @tmosphere – 5355 N. Clark 8 pm signup/9 pm start

Thursday, May 31 – SPIN ( WILD CARD NIGHT ) – 800 W. Belmont 9 pm start

Saturday, June 2 – Sidetrack ( SEMI-FINALS ) – 3349 N. Halsted 4 pm doors open , 5 pm start

Friday, June 15 – Circuit ( FINALS ) – 3641 N. Halsted 8 pm start

$10 entry for singers, $5 cover for audience members.

The event is open to all amateur singers age 21 and above. Complete rules and regulations at www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=13918

For more information or photos please contact Kathleen Ulm at 773-871-7610 or via email at WindyCityMedia@aol.com .