Metropolitan Room Presents 'Metrostar Talent Challenge'

New York's award-winning intimate concert venue The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, presents the first annual "Metrostar Talent Challenge" beginning July 7, 2008.  Up to 60 solo singers and vocal duos will compete in this jury and audience-voted elimination-round competition that spans seven consecutive Mondays.  The grand prize winner and two runner-ups (who will be named the night of the contest's finale on August 18) will enjoy an impressive package of prizes and professional encouragements.  For the winner these will include a fully produced, prime time booking at the Metropolitan Room and a professionally produced live recording of this upcoming show.

Open to performers who have not played a major engagement at The Metropolitan Room, "Metrostar" will invite singers across a spectrum of styles to compete head to head.  Reflecting the club's preference to present both seasoned and up-and-coming performers, the contest will showcase the talents of solo singers and vocal duos across every age bracket, from the Broadway stage, cabaret,
and the jazz-pop-folk recording and concert worlds.

Online and by-mail registration begins today.  Performers are asked to consult the club's Web site at  www.metropolitanroom.com for eligibility details and instructions on how to apply online or by mail.  The application deadline is July 1.  Applications will be pre-screened and approximately 60 performers will be chosen to compete.

The Metropolitan Room's very own Lennie Watts will serve as the contest's on-stage host.  Watts, the multi-award winning vocalist as well the club's highly regarded booking manager, will use his well-honed stage and interpersonal gifts to provide a nurturing, humorous and always entertaining performance environment. Two well-known figures in the cabaret world will serve as judges throughout the seven-week competition.  They will be joined each week by a different, celebrity guest judge. Throughout the Challenge the judges' voting will be supplemented by audience ballot voting.

Over seven weeks "Metrostar" will encourage contestants to establish well-rounded and uniquely entertaining stage presences.  An artistically ambitious competition, "Metrostar" values innovation and creativity over raw talent, intelligence over polish, and authenticity over vocal fireworks.

The contest's three career boosting prize packages are worth over $15,000. For the grand prize the Metropolitan Room is committing to producing and presenting a new show starring the winner, in a week-long, prime-time engagement, plus a multi-track "Live at The Metropolitan Room" recording of the new show. The runner-ups will open for the winner and receive demo recordings of their
appearance.  The club will engage several well-known professionals and artists to collaborate with the winners.

The trials are on July 7, 14, 21; the quarter finals bow on July 28; the semi finals take place on August 4.  The first round of finals unfolds on August 11, and the contest's finale is on August 18.  All shows are at 7pm.  The cover charge for all shows is $15, with a two-drink minimum. For reservations call 212/206-0440. For more information visit www.metropolitanroom.com.  

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