Calling all superstars

Thursday, February 11, 2010

STAFF PHOTO BY GRANT MORRIS^^The three finalists shake hands before the start of the final round of the Encore Superstar Competition.

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STAFF PHOTO BY GRANT MORRIS^^Steve McGowan sings Robert Palmer's Bad Case of Loving You.

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STAFF PHOTO BY GRANT MORRIS^^Holly King belts Barracuda by Heart at The Bounty Room on Friday night.

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STAFF PHOTO BY GRANT MORRIS^^Emcee Mike Morin introduces a contestant before they take the stage during the Finals of the Encore Superstar competition at The Bounty Room in Nashua Friday night.

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STAFF PHOTO BY GRANT MORRIS^^Encore Superstar winner, Bobby Baker sings Me and Mrs. Jones during his preliminary performance during the final stage of the competition at the Bounty Room at the Holiday Inn in Nashua, Friday night.

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STAFF PHOTO BY GRANT MORRIS^^The three finalists shake hands before the start of the final round of the Encore Superstar Competition.

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IF YOU GO

Encore Superstar first preliminary competition

WHERE: Fody’s Great American Tavern, 9 Clinton St., Nashua.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16. Registration for singers starts at 7 p.m.

COST: Free to attend. $5 registration fee to compete.

MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.encorebuzz.com/superstar.

NASHUA – It’s the time of year when the frenzy begins, back-to-back nights are absorbed by Fox, and weekday social calendars are just plain sad.

And all because “American Idol” has come back to television.

We’ve all seen the talented and “the talented,” awaiting the next “fools” with their “pants on the ground.” We’ve all said we could do better. Well, here’s your chance to get off the couch and put your vocal moolah where your mouth is, literally.

Encore Superstar is back for its fourth year, and it’s better than ever, especially for the winner.

Encore Superstar is a karaoke-style singing competition held in the Nashua region. Karaoke contestants are judged on their singing ability, including intonation, rhythm, expression, stage presence and overall performance and entertainment value.

Over four weeks, four finalists will be chosen from each preliminary round, which are held at four local establishments, including a March 9 event in Milford. The 16 finalists will then head to the final competition March 26 at Boston Billiards in Nashua, which will be emceed again by WZID personality Mike Morin, a Telegraph columnist.

The grand prize will be $1,000, a chance to sing at an upcoming New Hampshire Fisher Cats game in Manchester, recording studio time at The Space in Lowell, Mass., and a cover story in Encore.

The second- and third-place finalists will receive $250 and $150 respectively.

The preliminaries are open to contestants age 21 or older, and start at 8 p.m. Registration begins at 7 p.m., and as only 30-40 contestants are able to sign up on a first-come, first-served basis, it would be prudent to get to the venue early. There is a $5 registration fee.

Disc jockey Bernie Del Llano, aka DJ Bernie D, of Perfect Entertainment, will return to bring the tunes to the people. He says Encore Superstar is “bigger and better this year.” He has added more than 6,000 songs to his catalog for the contestants to choose from since last year.

Bernie D gave five tips for people interested in signing up: know your song well, remember stage presence is important, make eye contact with the audience and judges, make sure to smile (“It goes a long way”) and have fun.

If anyone is interested in practicing beforehand, Bernie D said to contact him at Perfect Entertainment.

Encore Superstar’s 2009 winner, Bobby Baker, is excited about this year’s competition, even though he won’t be competing. Baker is scheduled to perform and judge at the finals.

“I had such a great time last year,” said Baker, who said he was “extremely impressed with the competition.”

As a bit of advice to newcomers, he said, “just get up there, do your best and just have fun with it.”

Finalist judges also include Kriss Soterion, of Kriss Cosmetics, and Scott Kilgore, of Project G, who are returning for their third year. For his first time at the Superstar judging table is Keith Weirich, the artistic director of the Peacock Players.

Weirich, who has been artistic director of the Players for five years, said he’s honored to be judging at the finals and, especially, to have the Peacock Players chosen to be this year’s recipient charity. A portion of the proceeds from the final competition will go to the Players.

Founded in 1974 by Rita Harden as the Young Area Players, the Peacock Players received their current moniker in 1981, which was influenced by Harden’s personal motto: “To be as proud as a peacock, you must think positively and always strive to do your best.”

Performing eight to 10 productions a year, the Players provide students ages 8-18 chances to perform live, along with opportunities to hone their skills off the stage through workshops, summer camps and private instruction.

The Peacock Players “have become an epicenter for kids and theater,” Weirich said.

A number of alumni have matriculated to acting schools, such as Juilliard and New York University, perform on Broadway and on television, and act in national touring groups.

The first night of competition will be Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Fody’s Great American Tavern, 9 Clinton St., Nashua. The preliminaries will continue on the next three Tuesday nights at: Feb. 23, Killarney’s Irish Pub, 9 Northeastern Blvd., Nashua; March 2, The Timber Grille, 57 Factory St., Nashua; and March 9, The Pasta Loft, 241 Union Square, Milford.

Admission is free, and it will be a great time to watch and listen to some of the area’s most talented singers. Also, those in attendance at the preliminaries and finals will be able to sign up to win a weekend stay at Steele Hill Resorts in Sanbornton. There will be a winner at each event.