With a stellar lineup of singers for this year’s show, the audience will be the real winner in this year’s city-wide teen singing contest, Powell River Idol 2014.
Eleven contestants will take to the stage at Powell River Recreation Complex’s Evergreen Theatre Saturday, February 8, for the event. Only one show of Powell River Idol is organized this year.
The contestants have been working since September on their solo songs. The teens have chosen two songs to perform by themselves, but also have a couple of group songs to perform as well.
“We are starting the show off with the group number that will introduce Powell River to this year’s cast,” said Idol organizer Renelle Wilkene.
This year the participants were split off into three teams and have been coached by former Idol winners Dawson Brown, Ildiko Jane Kelly and Jessie Whitehouse.
Jessie, who won the contest in 2010, said the experience of coming back has not been too out of the ordinary because she would normally spend time jamming with friends.
“I never got into that competitive thing, I just enjoy singing for people,” she said.
Each coach has his or her own approach to what makes a winning performance. Jessie said the most important advice she has been giving is to choose a song that the performers enjoy and just have fun singing it.
“It’s been really interesting seeing the kids work with their peers,” said Wilkene, who added that the change has been embraced by most of the contestants.
After the intermission, each of the three teams will take to the stage to perform their group songs.
2013 Idol winner Dawson will perform an encore song backed up by the entire cast. “It’s going to be awesome,” said Wilkene.
Judges will choose the best solo singers and the audience will be able to choose its “people’s choice.”
Tickets are available at Rockit Music, Taws and Breakwater Books and Coffee. They cost $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12, with family passes (two adults and two children) being sold for $45. The event begins at 7 pm.
