In about two months, the 2013 winner of Creston’s Best Singer will be named — but it will take four shows before that happens.
This time around, the contest kicks off with a youth division for ages 14 and under on Jan. 17 at the Prince Charles Theatre, with the top three moving on to compete against singers over 14 in the semifinal on Feb. 14.
As with previous contests, the first 150 audience members through the doors at those and the Jan. 31 quarterfinal will be able to vote for their favourite singers.
“It really makes the audience feel like they’re part of the show,” said producer Vern Gorham.
For the March 7 final, Gorham will bring in out-of-town judges to determine the winners, the top two of whom will go on to compete in the Kootenays’ Best Singer contest in June. The winner of that contest will receive $1,000, time in a recording studio and the opportunity to sing at both the Kaslo Jazz Festival and Castlegar’s Kootenay Festival.
As with the 2011-2012 season, Gorham has been busy bringing the contest to other towns as a benefit for their schools, most recently having Nelson’s L.V. Rogers Secondary School organize the Nelson’s Best Singer audition night. Plans for a local elementary school to organize Creston’s youth division contest didn’t work out this year, but Gorham hopes to get one on board for 2014.
There is still time for singers to sign up for the youth or adult divisions, and Gorham is looking forward to having the talent perform for the audience.
“The top winners from the semifinals will move on to the finals, where they sing two songs,” said Gorham. “So it’s possible to hear your favourite singer four times.”
All of the shows start at 7 p.m.; advance tickets are available at Kingfisher Used Books and Black Bear Books.