Tuesday night marked the first night of competition in the inaugural Sunshine Coast Youth Idol - and what a night of entertainment it was.
Fourteen competitors sang to a packed crowd at Sailor Dan's in Gibsons. They included: Amanda Parker, Acacia Slingerland, Aimee Reis, Charlie Daigneault, Charlotte Mahoney, Desiree Visser, Emily Backs, Emily Cardinall, Isabell Boese, Paige Gagne, Shannon Heavens, Sicily Fox and Sydney Johnson. Jessie Rusnak, who had entered the competition earlier, was forced to withdraw due to a cold.
Following the competition, the first cuts were made with Aimee, Charlotte and Shannon receiving the fewest audience and judge votes. They will not be moving forward to the next round.
Voting on the Youth Idol competition has changed from the original Sunshine Coast Idol - each audience member now votes for their favourite two competitors - a change organizers hope will allow all competitors a better chance of receiving unbiased votes.
And the judging panel, which consists of Verna Chan and Ray Fulber of Strait Sound Recording/Bearwood Music, now includes musician/producer Paul Steenhuis.
Sunshine Coast Youth Idol takes place Tuesdays for the month of June at Sailor Dan's in Gibsons. Anyone wishing to attend is encouraged to arrive close to 5 p.m. to pick up a number to ensure a seat when the doors open at 6. Show begins at 6:30. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth (age 15 and under).
Auditions for the competition took place on May 26. Prospective contestants aged 12 through 18 sang accapella or accompanied themselves on guitar - highlighting the amazing amount of talent there is on the Coast. Contestants are competing for prizes including music lessons from a variety of instructors and a scholarship fund.
-Submitted
