12th Northwest Idol Finals to Take the Stage Next Month at Warner Theatre

On Saturday, August 12 at 7 pm, the Torrington Parks and Recreation Department will present its Twelfth Northwest Idol Finals featuring eleven finalists on the Warner Theatre's Main Stage. Tickets are $10.

The eleven finalists, who have made it through auditions and two rounds of semi-finals are Michelle Cahill of Oakville, Teresa Canino, Vivian Jimenez-Rijo, Bobbi Jo Klug, Jazmon LaTour and Mandi Zontok of Torrington, Christopher Danielczuk of Goshen, Allison Dobkins of Watertown, Ken Normandin of Thomaston, Hali Soulier of Burlington and Phoenix Whitehill of Plymouth.

At the finals, all of the contestants will perform with the "Opening Night Band." Contestants will sing one song each during the opening round. The top five contestants will move on to the second round that night to sing one final song. The judges will then select the top three finalists. Cash prizes and gift certificates will be awarded to the top three winners.

To purchase tickets, call the Warner Box Office at 860-489-7180 or visit warnertheatre.org.

Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace (1,772 seats), the Warner Theatre was described then as "Connecticut's Most Beautiful Theatre." Damaged extensively in a flood, the Warner was slated for demolition in the early 1980s until the non-profit Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts (NCAA) was founded and purchased the theatre. The Warner reopened as a performing arts center in 1983, and restoration of the main lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002. In 2008, the new 50,000 square foot Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center, which houses a 300 seat Studio Theatre, 200 seat restaurant and expansive school for the arts, was completed. Today, the Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 performances and 100,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. Over 10,000 students, pre K-adult, participate in arts education programs and classes. Together, with the support of the community, the Warner has raised close to $17 million to revitalize its facilities. NCAA's mission is to preserve the Warner Theatre as an historic landmark, enhance its reputation as a center of artistic excellence and a focal point of community involvement, and satisfy the diverse cultural needs of the region.

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