Following a successful audition on Feb. 23, 20 Creston Valley singers are ready to take the stage Friday night when a second round determines Creston’s best singer.
The contestants were among 26 singers who auditioned on Feb. 23, and were chosen based on audience voting.
“It was really well received,” said organizer and creator Vern Gorham. “I think people really enjoyed the process of getting to vote for their favourite singer. … I was happy to give the audience a chance to do their part.”
For this round, though, the judging will be done by three out-of-town judges — two from Cranbrook and one from Nelson.
The contest, this time called Overwaitea’s Creston’s Best Singer in honour of the major sponsor, follows up on November’s 2010 edition, which saw Jordan Janzen named the winner.
Several of the singers in the March 11 show are looking for another chance to win, having competed in the 2010 best singer contest. While most are accompanied by karaoke tracks, two members of the band Fat Charlie will be accompanied by their band, while several will play for themselves.
Gorham plans to take the Creston model and, in the near future, expand it throughout the region.
“I want to give them something to work for, and maybe become the Kootenays’ best singer,” he said. “This is basically a prototype to see if it will work. It seems to have hit a key note, pardon the pun, with people.”
The contest starts at 6 p.m. on March 11 at the Prince Charles Theatre. Tickets are $7 in advance ($10 at the door), available at Black Bear Books. Non-perishable donations to the Creston Valley Gleaners Society food bank will be taken at the door.