Monday, Feb. 18, 2008

Chicago – Windy City Gay Idol is ready to kick off its sixth 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, highly anticipated event in the gay community.

This year 12 bars are part of the Gay Idol extravaganza, which will set up shop for one night at each bar and sign up as many as 20 participants each night. Each contestant will sing their heart out for the chance to advance to the semi-finals Saturday, May 31 at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted. All of this hard work and votes from their friends, family and audience members will hopefully land them on the stage at the finals Friday, June 13 at Circuit Nightclub.

With more than $5,000 in cash and prizes this year, the road to the 6th 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 a variety of other judges familiar with the performance arena.

This year, each winner grabbing the most votes at a preliminary bar will win $100 cash. Two winners from each bar will advance to the semi-finals. Audience members at each bar will also have the chance to win great prizes, such as Bud Light merchandise, Broadway in Chicago tickets and much more.

The finals are where the big prizes come out for audience members as well as the top three contestants, including weekend stays at downtown hotels, Bud Light Guitars, holiday excursions, season passes to top theaters as well as Bud Light Trek Mountain Bikes.

The winner of the entire event at Circuit Nightclub, 3641 N. Halsted, 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 2008. The event is open to all amateur singers age 21 and above.

The 2008 schedule:

Sunday, March 9 – Star Gaze ( Kick Off ) - 5419 N. Clark 7 pm signup/8 pm start

Tuesday, March 11 – Jackhammer – 6406 N. Clark 9 pm signup/10 pm start Wednesday, March 19 – Mary's Attic - 5400 N. Clark 8 pm signup/9 pm start

Tuesday, April 1 – Crew – 4804 N. Broadway 7 pm signup/8 pm start Thursday, April 3 – The Closet - 3325 N. Broadway 7 pm signup/8 pm start

Wednesday, April 9 – Club Krave ( Blue Island, IL ) - 13126 S. Westen 9 pm signup/10 pm start

Wednesday, April 16 – Scarlet's – 3320 N. Halsted 7 pm signup/8 pm start

Wednesday, May 7 – @mosphere – 5355 N. Broadway 8 pm sign up/9 pm start

Thursday, May 8 - Hydrate – 3458 N. Halsted 9 pm signup/10 pm start

Thursday, May 29 – SPIN ( WILD CARD NITE ) – 800 W. Belmont 8 pm sign up/9 pm start

Saturday, May 31 – Sidetrack ( SEMI-FINALS ) – 3349 N. Halsted 3 pm doors/5 pm start prompt

Friday, June 13 – Circuit ( FINALS ) – 3641 N. Halsted 6 pm doors/7 pm start prompt

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

For more information or photos please contact Kathleen Ulm at 773-871-7610 or via email at WindyCityMedia@aol.com . Complete rules and regulations at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com