Windy City Gay Idol has kicked off its third 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 of talented performers hosted by Windy City Radio's Amy Matheny and Jim Bennett.
This year two new bars ( 10 bars total ) 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 11 at The Eagle. 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 18 at Circuit Nightclub.
But the road to Gay Idol is not easy and all will face local celebrity judges critiquing their performances including cabaret performer Stephen Rader, musician Ripley Caine, jazz vocalist Lucy Smith along with drag entertainer Angelique Monroe, Peter Mavrik, event producer Julie Mosier as well as DJ Doug Brandt ( to name a few ) .
Audience members at each bar will have the chance to win prizes such as Bud Light merchandise, Elton John tickets, Broadway in Chicago tickets and 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 Bass 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 2005.
Tuesday, March 29 – Jackhammer
Sunday, April 10 – Star Gaze, 5419 N. Clark
Tuesday, April 12 – Charlie's, 3726 N. Broadway
Monday, April 18 – SPIN, 800 Belmont
Monday, April 25 – Madrigal's, 5316 N. Clark
Sunday, May 1 – Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted
Thursday, May 12 – Closet, 3325 N. Broadway
Wednesday, May 18 – Crew ( Wild Card Night ) , 4804 N. Broadway
Saturday, June 11 – The Eagle ( Semi-Finals ) * Tentative, 5015 N. Clark
Saturday, June 18 – Circuit Nightclub ( Finals ) , 3641 N. Halsted
Sign up at each prelim event begins at 7 pm. The singing starts at 8 pm for prelim events. $10 entry for singers, $5 cover for audience members except for Wild Card night which is free admission for audience members. See www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com .
