cynthia@windycitymediagroup.com

7th Annual Windy City Gay Idol Launches March 29

CHICAGO "Windy City Gay Idol kicks off its seventh year featuring the best amateur gay or lesbian singer in the Chicago area. What began as a fun promotion with Windy City Media Group has became the largest and most highly anticipated annual event in Chicago's gay and lesbian 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.

Many bars are part of the Gay Idol 2009 extravaganza with preliminary competitions one night only at many different locations where up to as many as 20 participants sing at each venue. Contestants compete for the chance to advance to the semi-finals Saturday, May 30 at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted. The results of who advances to the Semi-finals come from the audience votes. All of this hard work and votes from friends, family and audience members hopefully land them on the stage at the finals Saturday, June 13 at Sidetrack.

Premium sponsors this year are Miller Lite and Skyy Vodka. They are joined by co-sponsors Creaoke, Broadway in Chicago, American Airlines, Ravinia, WCPT AM & FM: Chicago's Progressive Talk, and primary sponsor and host Windy City Media Group.

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

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 Miller merchandise, Broadway in Chicago and Ravinia 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, holiday excursions and season passes to top theaters.

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 Semi-finals 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.

Sat., May 30: SEMI-FINALS, Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, 1 p.m. door opens, 4

p.m. start.

Sat., June 13: FINALS, Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, 1 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 please contact Tracy Baim at 773-387-2394 or via email at editor@windycitymediagroup.com . Complete rules and regulations at ww.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=20685

Windy City Media Group produces Windy City Times, Nightspots, OUT! Resource Guide, Identity online, WindyCityQueercast.com and QueerTVNetwork.com . Windy City Media Group is also the producer of these annual events: Windy City Gay Idol, 30 Under 30 and the Windy City Times Theater Series. To download all of the products visit www.windycitymediagroup.com . Send questions to publisher@windycitymediagroup.com or call ( 773 ) 871-7610.