Snowshoe Idol returns
Fort Providence competition starts in early June
Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, May 22, 2014
DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
A popular contest in Fort Providence is returning this summer for a sixth year after a one-year hiatus.
Louise Lacorne was the winner of the fifth season of the Snowshoe Idol in 2012. The karaoke competition is returning to Fort Providence for a sixth season in June. - photo courtesy of Linda Croft
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Season six of the Snowshoe Idol will begin on June 6 and run every Friday at the Snowshoe Lounge in Fort Providence until the Aug. 9 finale. Linda Croft began the competition in 2007 as a way to build on the popularity of karaoke in the community.
The contest was put on hold last year due to time constraints and to give the event a breather, said Croft. Its absence was noted.
"A lot of people have asked when it's coming back," she said.
There was even international interest. A film crew from Germany that was creating a travel documentary on the North wanted to film the Snowshoe Idol last year, said Croft. Because it wasn't running, she helped organize a talent show for them to tape instead.
"We're more famous than we thought," she said.
Croft has made changes over the years to make the competition as fair as possible.
"It's for fun, it's karaoke," she said.
Every Friday, two contestants will be picked from those who sing. One will be a staff favourite and the other will be drawn from the slips each singer gets for every song they perform.
"Everybody who wants to participate can and everybody has the same chance," she said.
At the finals, the 20 contestants will sing two songs and then return for one more. A panel of judges votes on who will advance to the top five.
This year, to create additional community input, audio tracks of each finalist will be posted to Facebook. People will be able to vote and their input will be taken into account by the judges when they make their decision, said Croft.
The remaining five contestants will return to the stage for two more songs and then the idol will be chosen by popular vote. The 2014 idol will win $1,350 in cash and prizes.
Croft is expecting a lot of new contestants this year and has new music – including songs from this year and last – ready for them.
"There's a song in there for everybody," she said.
For people who are serious about trying to make the finals, Croft suggests they start performing as soon as possible at the qualification nights and sing often so they get more slips in the random draw.
The people who look comfortable on the stage are the ones who practice weekly and have a chance to try out different songs to see what works for them, she said. Croft is excited to be running the contest again.
"I'm looking forward to see all types of faces come out to the show," she said.
The idols to date include Dale Vandell, Robin Nadli, Shauna Clarke-Canadien, Jodi Nadli and the 2012 winner Louise Lacorne. Lacorne is expected to sing during the intermission at this year's finals.
"She was just so blown away when she won," said Croft.
