METROSTAR TALENT CONTEST IN JULY-AUGUST
THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440 -
http://www.metropolitanroom.com/
) presents the first annual "Metrostar Talent Challenge" beginning
on Monday, July 7th. Up to 60 solo singers and vocal duos will compete
in this jury and audience-voted elimination-round competition that
spans seven consecutive Mondays. The grand prize winner and two runner-ups
(who will be named the night of the contest's finale on August 18th
will enjoy an impressive package of prizes and professional encouragements.
For the winner these will include a fully produced, prime time booking
at the Metropolitan Room and a professionally produced live recording
of this upcoming show.
Open to performers who have not played a major engagement
at The Metropolitan Room, "Metrostar" will invite singers across
a spectrum of styles to compete head to head. Reflecting the club's
preference to present both seasoned and up-and-coming performers,
the contest will showcase the talents of solo singers and vocal
duos across every age bracket, from the Broadway stage, cabaret,
and the jazz-pop-folk recording and concert worlds.
Online and by-mail registration begins today, June
9th. Performers are asked to consult the club's website for eligibility
details and instructions on how to apply online or by mail. The
application deadline is July 1st. Applications will be pre-screened
and approximately 60 performers will be chosen to compete.
The Metropolitan Room's very own Lennie Watts will
serve as the contest's on-stage host. Watts, the multi-award winning
vocalist as well the club's highly regarded booking manager, will
use his well-honed stage and interpersonal gifts to provide a nurturing,
humorous and always entertaining performance environment. Two well-known
figures in the cabaret world will serve as judges throughout the
seven-week competition. They will be joined each week by a different,
celebrity guest judge. Throughout the Challenge the judges' voting
will be supplemented by audience ballot voting.
Over seven weeks "Metrostar" will encourage contestants
to establish well-rounded and uniquely entertaining stage presences.
An artistically ambitious competition, "Metrostar" values innovation
and creativity over raw talent, intelligence over polish, and authenticity
over vocal fireworks.
The contest's three career boosting prize packages
are worth over $15,000. For the grand prize the Metropolitan Room
is committing to producing and presenting a new show starring the
winner, in a week-long, prime-time engagement, plus a multi-track
"Live at The Metropolitan Room" recording of the new show. The runner-ups
will open for the winner and receive demo recordings of their appearance.
The club will engage several well-known professionals and artists
to collaborate with the winners.
The trials are on July 7th, 14th & 21st; the quarter
finals bow on July 28th; the semi finals take place on August 4th.
The first round of finals unfolds on August 11th, and the contest's
finale is on August 18th. All shows are at 7:00 pm. The cover charge
for all shows is $15, with a $15 minimum.
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