"Idol" showcases singing skills
By Amanda Richards
What is it about singing competitions like American Idol and the FOX network’s critically acclaimed karaoke contest that make people from all walks of life to stop what they’re doing to watch and to harshly judge the best and the worst vocalists? Whatever the secret is, Cleveland State University’s Campus Activities Board is in on it.
CAB will sponsor its second CSU Idol Karaoke Contest on March 30. The first CSU Idol competition was held on campus in November 2006, and according to Tasheka Sutton, coordinator for student and campus activities in the Department of Student Life, the first competition was well-received by the CSU community.
“I didn’t attend the first one,” Sutton said. “But I know that CAB had over 180 people there to watch.” The competition will follow the same formula as the American Idol television show, with staff and faculty members in the Department of Student Life playing the roles of American Idol judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell.
Contestants in the competition will have a chance to win one of three prizes for their vocal abilities: The grand prize winner will receive $250, the first runner up will receive $150, and the second runner up will receive $100.
And according to Huong Nguyen, an associate of CAB, there are also incentives for the less vocally inclined to attend. “There are going to be 10 cent wings and 50 cent “mocktails” [for the audience],” Nguyen said. “We’ll have a great number of students from a diverse background. It’s a fun activity, and even if you don’t sing, you should come and enjoy it.”
The CSU Idol Karaoke Competition will take place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in The Shire in the basement of University Center. Guests will be able to participate in an open karaoke session from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The contest will follow immediately afterwards.
Reach this Stater reporter at a.k.richards@csuohio.edu