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Chicago, IL — Windy City Gay Idol is ready to kick off its sixth year of crowning the best amateur gay or lesbian singer in the Chicago area.  What began as a fun promotion with Windy City Media Group and Bud Light has became a yearly, highly anticipated event in the gay community.

This year 12 bars are part of the Gay Idol extravaganza, which will set up shop for one night at each bar and sign up as many as 20 participants each night.  Each contestant will sing their heart out for the chance to advance to the semi-finals Saturday, May 31 at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted. All of this hard work and votes from their friends, family and audience members will hopefully land them on the stage at the finals Friday, June 13 at Circuit Nightclub.

With more than $5,000 in cash and prizes this year, the road to the 6th Anniversary of the Gay Idol Finals is not easy.  All contestants will face local celebrity judges that include cabaret and rock singers, local DJs, theatrical stars and a variety of other judges familiar with the performance arena.

This year, each winner grabbing the most votes at a preliminary bar will win $100 cash. Two winners from each bar will advance to the semi-finals.  Audience members at each bar will also have the chance to win great prizes, such as Bud Light merchandise, Broadway In Chicago tickets and much more. 

The finals are where the big prizes come out for audience members as well as the top three contestants, including weekend stays at downtown hotels, Bud Light Guitars, holiday excursions, season passes to top theaters as well as Bud Light Trek Mountain Bikes.

The winner of the entire event at Circuit Nightclub, 3641 N. Halsted, will walk with $1,000 in cash, the bike, airline tickets from American Airlines and much more, not to mention the coveted title of Gay Idol 2008.  The event is open to all amateur singers age 21 and above.

The 2008 schedule:
Sunday, March 9 – Stargaze (Kick Off) - 5419 N. Clark 7 pm signup/8 pm start
Tuesday, March 11 – Jackhammer Chicago – 6406 N. Clark 9 pm signup/10 pm start
Wednesday, March 19 – Mary's Attic - 5400 N. Clark 8 pm signup/9 pm start
Tuesday, April 1 – Crew Bar & Grill – 4804 N. Broadway 7 pm signup/8 pm start
Thursday, April 3 – The Closet Bar - 3325 N. Broadway 7 pm signup/8 pm start
Wednesday, April 9 – Club Krave (Blue Island, IL)- 13126 S. Westen 9 pm signup/10 pm start
Wednesday, April 16 – Scarlets – 3320 N. Halsted 7 pm signup/8 pm start
Wednesday, May 7 – @mosphere – 5355 N. Broadway 8 pm sign up/9 pm start
Thursday, May 8 - Hydrate Chicago – 3458 N. Halsted 9 pm signup/10 pm start
Thursday, May 29 – Spin Nightclub (WILD CARD NITE) – 800 W. Belmont 8 pm sign up/9 pm start
Saturday, May 31 – Sidetrack (SEMI-FINALS) – 3349 N. Halsted 3 pm doors/5 pm start prompt
Friday, June 13 – Circuit Night Club (FINALS) – 3641 N. Halsted 6 pm doors/7 pm start prompt
$10 entry for singers, $5 cover for audience members.