Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 25/06) - Grab the hairbrush, find a mirror and start practising - Canadian Idol is coming to town.

Next month, Yellowknife will host auditions for the popular program, where talented singers get a chance at their few minutes of fame on national television.

Mark Lysakowski, supervising producer for Canadian Idol, was visiting Yellowknife Mayor Gord Van Tighem during a one-day visit to find a venue to hold auditions. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

Mark Lysakowski, supervising producer for the CTV show, had a whirlwind one-day tour of potential venues in Yellowknife where young hopefuls can sing their hearts out under the critical eye of those in the industry.

"Basically, we were dared to come here," Lysakowski said about the addition of Yellowknife to the list of stops across the nation.

"We were told there was way more talent," he said.

The 11-week, 11-city audition tour will begin next month.

Although a firm date for the Yellowknife stop has yet to be announced, there is speculation that it will be a one-day, all day event on February 28.

"We're looking forward to seeing how many people are going to come and audition for the show. "That's one of the reasons we're here."

Lysakowski said he has heard of the Royal Canadian Legion's North of 60 idol competition, which has proven to be a popular event over the last three years.

"I've heard there have been some really good people in the past, so I'd like to see them audition," he added.

To qualify, one must be between the ages of 16 and 28 as of Feb. 1, 2006.

The competition does not have a set number of entries, he said.

"We always say we are sending the top 100, but last year it was the top 180."

The popularity of such programming remains strong, Lysakowski said.

"Every day Canadians get to vote on who gets to be their next idol," he said.

"It may not be the federal government, but people enjoy singing."

Yellowknife mayor Gord Van Tighem said having the audition in the city is an exciting event.

"It's a certain amount of excitement and exposure.

"But the bottom line would be an opportunity for talented people to move on with it," Van Tighem said.

"We've had a large number of people in the last year who've started recording."

Lorne Power, manager of the Yellowknife Royal Canadian Legion, said he met with Lysakowski on Monday to show him the facilities the Legion has to offer.

"We're hoping that it will be held here in the Legion.

"We've had three successful Idols here and the publicity would be good for our next Idol," Power said of the next North of 60 competition coming up in the spring.

Lysakowski said the chosen venue will be announced soon.

"Idol is still a chance for singers with talent to get exposure on a national level," Lysakowski said.

Open to all genres and styles, he said if someone can sing it, they will consider it.

"We're looking for the voice. We're looking for the personality," Lysakowski said of what it takes to become the Idol.

"We're looking for the next superstar."