- Credibility:
CHICAGO — Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants to know who in Chicago can sing.
The city has launched its first “Chicago Sings Karaoke” competition, which is open to all city residents 21 years and older, according to the city.
The contest kicks off Sunday and will give amateur singers the chance to show off their pipes at 18 different neighborhood venues.
The city’s top crooner or wailer — who must make it through three rounds in the next month — will win $5,000, according to a news release.
In the first round, residents can walk-in and sing at one of 18 neighborhood venues on a specified date between Sunday and Oct. 18. Each venue will pick a finalist to move on to the next round. Registration in advance is encouraged but not required.
Venues and dates are listed below, and all events are from 8-11 p.m.
- Sunday: Simone’s, 960 W. 18th St.
- Sunday: Louie’s Pub, 1659 W. North Ave.
- Sunday: Lincoln Lodge, 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave.
- Monday: Caminos, 1659 W. Cullerton St.
- Monday: Cove Lounge, 1750 E. 55th St.
- Monday: 5 Estrellas, 2908 W. 59th St.
- Tuesday: Reed’s Local, 3017 W. Belmont Ave.
- Tuesday: Taquizo, 1835 W. North Ave.
- Tuesday: Marz Bar, 3630 S. Iron St.
- Oct. 16: Uptown Lounge, 1136W. Lawrence Ave.
- Oct. 16: Randy’s Lounge, 7512 S. Cottage Grove
- Oct. 16: UpRoar, 1252 N. Wells St.
- Oct. 17: Live Wire Lounge, 3394 N. Milwaukee Ave.
- Oct. 17: Zoe’s, 5518 S. Archer Ave.
- Oct. 17: All Star Seafood & Sports, 730 S. Clark St.
- Oct. 18: Mini Club, 8338 S. Halsted St.
- Oct. 18: Mi Teirra, 2528 S. Kedzie Ave.
- Oct. 18: Innjoy, 2200 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The 18 semi-finalists will move on to Round 2 on Oct. 23, which will hone in the competition to three of the venues. Each venue will select two finalists to advance.
The finale will be Nov. 6 at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., where the six finalists will perform for the top prize in front of a panel of celebrities, city officials and music industry professionals.
The competition is open to amateurs only and hopefuls must prepare two songs for the opening round, according to the news release.
Original compositions and profanity are not allowed, the city said.
Watch our “On The Block” TV show on The U, CW26 and MeTV.
Listen to “It’s All Good: A Block Club Chicago Podcast”:
