Instead of airfare to Hollywood, a “golden ticket” sends Orcas singers to Eastsound.
Modeled after the immensely popular American Idol television show, Orcas Idol has been showcasing the island’s singing talent for the past five years.
On Jan. 24, 18 acts strutted their stuff on the Grange stage. Only nine received golden tickets that guarantee their spot in the finale show on Feb. 6: Husband and wife team Brian Benepe and Heather Stansbury, Stephen Baker and Julia Bailey, Susan Weiss, Charly Robinson, Jason and Arianna Dean, Jared Grantham, Carl Burger, Marisa Veldman, and KT Laslo.
“The auditions are funky, and anything goes,” event organizer Donna Laslo said. “The finale show at Orcas Center is more polished.”
This year, contenders were allowed to play instruments during their auditions. Many played guitars, and finalist Robinson played a ukelele.
“It’s a huge difference,” Laslo said. “Having just karaoke seemed to exclude a certain group of singers.”
The idol judges – Terry Anderson, Grace McCune, and Becky Klaus (in for regular judge Gene Nery, who will appear at the finale performances) narrowed down the competitors. The panel will offer their professional critiques, which are always kind, during the final show, but it’s audience members who choose the 2010 Orcas Idol.
There are three rounds of singing, each in different genres of music. The first round is pop/rock, the second round is country/folk and the third round is a personal choice of any genre. Organizers say that by competing in several genres, the singers can highlight their versatility. The audience votes via a secret ballot immediately after each round.
The competition is eventually narrowed down to three finalists who compete for a $200 cash prize donated by Radio Shack and a professional recording session.
Before the try-outs last Saturday, young men and women competed for the Orcas Idol Junior crown. It was awarded to Emy and Lisa Carter.
The three judges will sing with all of the idol junior contestants during the finale. Last year, they performed “Lean on Me.” Emy and Lisa will sing their rendition of “Connected” during the show as well.
Past winners of Orcas Idol are Jenole Peacock, Jason Kraayeveld, and Locket Goodrich. Last year’s winner Pamela Wright will sing during the finale show.
Orcas Idol is the primary fundraiser for Orcas Island Prevention Partnership. It is coordinated by around 30 volunteers, and typically raises $10,000.
Hosted once again by Anita Orne and Gordon Koenig, the show is on Saturday, Feb. 6, at Orcas Center starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the event – which always sell out – are $20 and available at Radioshack and Darvill’s Bookstore.
For $10 at the door, audience members can watch a live video feed of the show projected onto a large screen in the Madrona Room.
“The Madrona Room is a great place to see the show – and the audience still gets to vote,” Laslo said.
Her favorite part of Orcas Idol is seeing community members – who aren’t known for their singing prowess – perform passionately.
“The whole show is warm hearted,” she said. “Lots of people come up to me and say, ‘I’ve always wanted to try out, but I’ve never had the nerve.’”
Well, this their chance.
