Prince George is not a city accustomed to sitting idol.
For the past four years, jazz-pop singer and show promoter Dawn Boudreau has operated a talent competition she called PG Idol, but big change is underway. The show will go on, but with a new name. She has dropped the thinly veiled reference to television program American Idol and henceforth will call the showcase Limelight Quest.
"We decided we needed a name change in order to create a brand that can grow," Boudreau said. "Idol is taken, obviously. I wanted a name that put the work in the hands of the competitors. I am not aiming to give them their 'big chance.' What I aim to create is opportunity. What they do with the opportunity is their responsibility, thus, the idea of each of them being on a quest for the limelight. I hate to ever imply that a performer is having their '15 minutes of fame.' That's a depressing thought. Being a performer is a lifelong journey with lots of hills and valleys along the way. I just want to coordinate the opportunity for a leg-up along that journey."
This past year, that leg up went primarily to Jessey Dacosta who won this year's edition after attempting all three previous attempts without getting to the top of that podium. Boudreau said, "She finally nailed it. It was so moving. Her tears were those of joy and my team and I were genuinely thrilled for her."
They got some thrilling feedback themselves from the other challengers who sang their way through the tournament-style singing competition. It inspired Boudreau to carry on with the event even though she now lives in the Lower Mainland and organized the events from long distance. She came back to carry out the actual two-week series of sing-offs.
"I got so motivated about the future of the competition. It takes a lot out of me, but it's such a major community builder. I find the whole experience vastly rewarding," she said. "I have realized that I can create these competitions in other communities where the infrastructure exists. By the time I am finished my degree [a music program at Capilano University] and starting my business, I aim to have at least three different competitions in various B.C. communities. I plan on teaching music privately as well, but I am hoping that running Limelight Quest will be a large part of my business."
She is also looking into different genres. Why not run a Limelight Quest for Comedy as well? She is considering this possibility. There are no firm dates for that yet, but the Limelight Quest for Singers is already in the works for summer 2015.
