The roster is now set. The 26 voices that will sing off for local music supremacy have been established. The first round of action runs Monday through Thursday at Art Space. Each of those nights, a cadre of singers will get their shot and the audience decides who moves on to sing another day.
- Monday
Jasmine Tran
Devon Meyer
Natasha Lynn Bondoc
Paige Marriott
Kate Elgood
Arielle Bernier
Kennidy Gillespie
- Tuesday
Sara Impey
Jessey DaCosta
Mickayla Daily
Monica Tsang
Danielle Molesworth
Megan Veeken
- Wednesday
Jenn Neiser
Lorna-Jane Simmons
Richelle Dolha
Mackenzie Clarke
Robert Verkaik
Shaunyce Gray
Dallas Cote
- Thursday
Brooklyn Derksen
Hayden Teschke
Toby Young
Clara Friesen
Zach Iitzen
Lindsay Marie Bzdel
Coralee Forrest
"All performaces are open to the public," said chef de mission Dawn Boudreau. "The audience is a very important part of the process. There are ballots where you mark your choices that night for first, second, third and fourth. When you factor in the points scored for all these other placements, not just first place, the system rises the cream to the top. It means it is not just about who has the most friends in the audience that night."
Each of these preliminary nights will generate four who move on to the second round. Round two happens July 12 and 13, again at Art Space and again producing four singers each night who move on to the finals.
The eight who sing on the decisive night will meet up in the final vocal battle at UNBC's Canfor Theatre on July 18.
The prizes for the final four are just rewards for people who have endured and excelled with their vocal arts, said Boudreau, but even before the winners are named, she applauded them all for stepping up as the local representatives they each are.
"It's neat to see the talent come to light, and find amazing voices from within our community," said Boudreau. "These are people maybe you didn't know could sing or even knew lived in P.G. But you also see them pushing themselves. Everyone is a winner for getting up on the stage, but people do bring their A-game. I've seen people perform before and then in PG Idol I see them again and they find another gear."
In addition to trophies and cash, there are also recording sessions, voice lessons, photo shoots, a sound system, opening or duet spots with bands like Bright City Heights and Sound Addiction, performance opportunities with the Prince George Cougars, Cold Snap Music Festival/Canada Winter Games, Robson Valley Music Festival, the Festival of Trees, and many other prizes spread among the very best.
Tickets are $10 each, available at the Art Space door to watch and vote. Even the preliminary rounds are often sellouts, so early arrival is recommended.
