Windy City Gay Idol, now in its 10th year, is kicking off the 2012 search for the best amateur LGBT singers in the Chicago area.
What began as a fun promotion has grown into the largest and most highly anticipated annual competition in Chicago's LGBT community. Past winners have gone on to sing at Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, Allstate Arena and Market Days, and at festivals around Illinois, Milwaukee and even Toronto. Also, the Windy City Gay Idol Finals in 2008 featured a then-unknown Lady Gaga as a guest performer. So you never know what you will see and hear. You don't have to sing to be a part of it. Just come and vote.
Windy City Gay Idol, produced by Windy City Media Group, kicks off Wed., April 4, at the Glenwood Bar, 6962 N. Glenwood Ave.. The competition continues through June with competitions in Chicago's bars and clubs.
Windy City Gay Idol 2012 preliminary competitions are one-night-only at different bars. As many as 20 participants sing at each venue, where all contestants compete for the chance to advance to the semi-finals Saturday, June 2, at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted. Results from every preliminary, semifinal and final event come from audience votes. Votes from friends, family and audience members hopefully land them on the stage at the finals Saturday, June 16, at Sidetrack.
The 2012 Windy City Gay Idol premium sponsor is Smirnoff. Other Sponsors include Creaoke and SpeedPro Printing. More sponsors will be announced soon.
With more than $5,000 in cash and prizes, all contestants will face local celebrity judges that include singers, DJs, actors, talent and casting agents, and others familiar with the performance arena.
Each winner collecting the most votes at each preliminary bar will win $100 cash. Two winners from each bar will advance to the semifinals. Audience members at each bar also have the chance to win great prizes, such as Smirnoff merchandise, concert and theatre tickets, new DVD & CD releases and much more.
The finals feature big prizes for audience members as well as the top three contestants, including weekend stays at downtown hotels, vacation trips and tickets to top Chicago theaters and concert venues.
The finals winner crowned at Sidetrack is awarded $1,000 in cash, a dream vacation trip, Smirnoff premium gifts, theater and concert tickets, plus the coveted title of Windy City Gay Idol 2012.
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 semifinals and finals at Sidetrack.
The Windy City Gay Idol 2011 schedule:
Wed., April 4: The Glenwood, 6962 N. Glenwood Ave., 8 p.m. sign up, 9 p.m. start.
Thursday, April 12: The Closet, 3325 N. Broadway, 8 p.m. sign up, 9 p.m. start.
Tuesday, April 17: Jackhammer, 6406 N. Clark St., 9 p.m. sign up, 10 p.m. start.
Thursday, April 19: Crew, 4804 N. Broadway, 8 p.m. sign up, 9 p.m. start.
Sunday, April 29: T's bar, 5025 N. Clark St., 5 p.m. sign up, 6 p.m. start.
Wed., May 2: Touche, 6412 N. Clark St., 9 p.m. sign up, 10 p.m. start.
Thursday, May 10: DS Tequila, 3352 N. Halsted St., 9 p.m. sign up, 10 p.m. start.
Monday, May 14: Spin, 800 W. Belmont Ave., 9 p.m. sign up, 10 p.m. start.
Thursday, May 17: The Call, 1547 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., 7 p.m. sign up, 8 p.m. start.
Monday, May 21: WILD CARD, Roscoe's, 3356 N. Halsted St., 8 p.m. door opens, 9 p.m. start. Invited guests plus open slots for new singers
Saturday, June 2: SEMIFINALS, Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St., 2 p.m. door opens, 3 p.m. start.
Saturday, June 16: FINALS, Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St., 2 p.m. door, 3 p.m. start.
Complete rules and regulations at www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Windy-City-Gay-Idol-kicks-off-10th-year-/36745.html; send questions to WCMGpromotions@gmail.com
Windy City Media Group ( WCMG ) produces Windy City Times, Nightspots, OUT! Resource Guide, and WindyCityQueercast.com . WCMG is the producer of these events: Windy City Gay Idol, Gays Got Talent, 30 Under 30 and the Windy City Times Theater Series. To download all of our products visit www.windycitymediagroup.com . Email questions to publisher@windycitymediagroup.com or call 773-871-7610.