By MARGIE DOYLE

Editor

Orcas Idol spotlights local talent, but last Saturday night, the ten contestants showed they were prepared to take on the world.

Locket Goodrich – whom few knew even sang – crooned, sang and hummed his way to victory in the Orcas Island Prevention Partnership’s (OIPP) only fundraising event, Orcas Idol, 2008.

In the final round, Goodrich’s performance of “Hallelujah” from the movie “Shrek” won the audience over. Finalist KT Bjorgan sang “Me and Bobby McGee” with her signature power, conviction and presence, and Jim Sullivan sang “The Prayer,” demonstrating a beautiful voice that is simply awesome in its depth and control.

Saturday night’s performance to a sold-out auditorium and a standing-room-only crowd in the Madrona Room, where an electronic “feed” from the Center Stage expanded the audience, blew all away, including the “non-judgmental judges” – Terry Anderson, Mark Padbury and Heather Stansbury.

Emcees John Clancy and Donna Laslo introduced the contestants who presented a range from the red-hot love song, “No Other Man But You,” offered by a poised, polished and beautiful Anica Gresham, to Bryan Benepe’s full-throated country song, “From the Front Porch Looking In,” to Dave Roseberry’s lovely and sentimental, “Maria.” Pamela Wright sang her country song, “Heaven Let Your Light Shine Down” with a sweetness and happiness that enveloped the audience. Darlene Pohl’s powerful voice and command of the stage had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand, while Stephen Baker’s soft shoe footwork and zingy delivery of “Zoot Suit Riot” propelled him into the second round.

There, suave Gary Bauder sang “Thunderball” with just the right amount of sinister delivery, Jim Sullivan switched from the dramatic Phantom of the Opera persona to channel Johnny Cash in his happy-go-lucky bad boy song, “Folsom Prison Blues,” and KT Bjorgan continued in her powerful and seductive Southern country vein with “Son of a Preacher Man.”

Locket Goodrich started off in the first round with “I Don’t Want to Fall in Love,” and his quiet confidence and sustained falsetto made the audience fall in love with him, whatever his words said. In the second round, he sang, “Take it Slow” with a mesmerizing repetition of the lyrics, a technique he carried to perfection in his final song, where the Hallelujah was repeated as a quiet plea rather than a triumphal pronouncement.

In between rounds, as the votes were tabulated, the audience was treated to a number by the Orcas Idolettes, “Mr. Sandman,” organized by Heather Stansbury. A second intermission provided the opportunity for the audience to see and hear Tika Zbornik sing her Idolette-winning performance of “Love Potion #9.” Just before the last awards were given, Jason Kraayeveld, Orcas Idol 2007, took the stage to sing a gospel number.

As Orcas Idol 2008, Locket Goodrich wins a $200 gift certificate to Radio Shack, the event sponsor, and a recording session with Adam Farish.

Orcas Idol is put on by the Orcas Island Prevention Partnership’s fundraising committee. Moriah Armstrong, OIPP director says, “Janice Wiemeyer has been the organized and inspirational chairperson for the last three years. This year’s great team included: Jeanne Beck, Heather Stansbury, Donna Laslo, Patricia Goffeney, Rachel Newcombe, Luann Pamatian, Jim Bredouw,and Lizz Hanks. Of course there is a whole host of community volunteers who bring their skills and talents to make the auditions and the main Orcas Centeer event possible.”

Orcas Idol raised $4,000 after expenses in each of its first two years. This year the community has stepped forward to underwrite Orcas Idol’s expenses. Fourteen “Idolizers” donated $100 each for their ticket, and the community itself is paying more for the tickets. Armstrong says that, thanks to the community’s generosity, OIPP hopes to raise close to $6,000 in this year’s Idol production.

This money supports OIPP and its work to promote a safe and healthy community free of substance abuse.

“Even more importantly,” says Armstrong, “the Orcas Idol fundraising committee just loves the very positive energy that is created as the community comes together to have fun and support healthy youth and a healthy community.”

For more information about OIPP, go to www.spotlightonthepositive.com.