Chicago Sings Karaoke Competition
Finale Event, November 6, 2022 at 5:30pm
Park West
DCASE Homepage > Chicago Sings Karaoke Competition
Chicago’s Karaoke Champion
Jason Jackson
The Six Finalists
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the six finalists who will compete for the title of Chicago’s Karaoke Champion in the City’s first-ever citywide singing competition. After qualifying and semi-final rounds in 18 neighborhood venues featuring hundreds of talented, amateur singers, these six Chicagoans will compete before a panel of judges comprised of local celebrities, music industry professionals and others at the Chicago Sings Karaoke competition finals on Sunday, November 6, at the Park West, 322 W. Armitage Avenue , where the winner will also receive $5,000.
The six finalists are:
- Jaleel Amir, 26, Grand Crossing neighborhood
- Rashada Dawan, 40, South Shore neighborhood
- Brandon Dodson, 35, Rogers Park neighborhood
- Lauren “Elle Michelle” Gaines, 40, Galewood neighborhood
- Erendira Izguerra, 29, West Lawn neighborhood
- Jason E. Jackson, 45, Edgewater neighborhood
“The level of talent on display throughout this competition has been remarkable,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “On behalf of the entire city, I want to personally thank each performer for partaking in this event and sharing their gift with us. I am very excited to see what our finalists will do at the finale on November 6.”
How To Attend the Chicago Sings Finale Event
Chicago Sings Karaoke Finale
Sunday November 6, 2022
Location: Park West Venue
322 W. Armitage Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
Doors Open at 5pm
Event Starts at 5:30pm
Admission is free.
A limited number of tickets will be available for the public. Only members of the public who reserved tickets will be able to attend.
The City of Chicago will livestream the event at Chicago.gov/live. Follow the event online and join the conversation on social media using #ChicagoSingsKaraoke.
Chicago Sings Karaoke Competition
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have launched a new, one-of-a-kind citywide competition called “Chicago Sings Karaoke.” Open to city residents ages 21 years and older, the monthlong contest kicks off October 9 and will be an opportunity for amateur singers to showcase their musical chops in 18 neighborhood venues. After two rounds of a judged competition, the top performer will be crowned Chicago’s Karaoke Champion and receive $5,000.
Timeline and Dates
Round One:
In this preliminary round, up to 18 different locations throughout the city will host the first set of the karaoke competitions on two different weekdays/ends from October 9-October 11 and October 16-18. Each of the 18 Round One venues will choose a single semi-finalist to advance to Round Two.
Round One is the qualifying round, and all hopefuls must perform at one of the venues listed below during the qualifying period:
• Sunday, Oct. 9 - Simone's, 960 W. 18th St. | Louie's Pub, 1659 W. North Ave. | Lincoln Lodge, 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave.
• Monday, Oct. 10 - Caminos, 1659 W. Cullerton | Cove Lounge, 1750 E. 55th St. | 5 Estrellas, 2908 W. 59th St.
• Tuesday, Oct. 11 - Reed's Local, 3017 W. Belmont | Taquizo, 1835 W. North Ave. | Marz Bar, 3630 S. Iron St.
• Sunday, Oct. 16 - Uptown Lounge, 1136W. Lawrence Ave. | Randy's Lounge, 7512 S. Cottage Grove | UpRoar, 1252 N. Wells St.
• Monday, Oct. 17 - Live Wire Lounge, 3394 N. Milwaukee Ave. | Zoe's, 5518 S. Archer Ave. | All Star Seafood & Sports, 730 S. Clark St.
• Tuesday, Oct. 18 - Mini Club, 8338 S. Halsted St. | Mi Tierra, 2528 S. Kedzie Ave. | Innjoy, 2200 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Round Two:
The semi-finals will take place on October 23, with all 18 semi-finalists performing at one of three venues in the city. Each venue will then select two performers to advance to the finals.
Round Three:
The finals will take place on Sunday, November 6 at the Park West at 322 W. Armitage Avenue, where the six finalists will perform in front of a panel of celebrities, City officials and music industry professionals. The top performer will be crowned Chicago’s Karaoke Champion and receive $5,000.
Eligibility, Rules and Regulations
1. Participating contestants agree to sign a liability waiver and media release on-site to participate.
2. Contestants must be a Chicago resident, 21+ and provide government issued identification on-site at venue.
3. Contestants must be available to perform on October 23 and November 6 if they advance to the next round in the competition.
4. Each contestant can only register to perform at one venue on the date assigned to that location and perform one time only. Contestants may be asked to sing two (2) songs to compete, one (1) first round and if selection by judges and if advanced one (1) song second round.
Contestants must win a first round to participate in the second. Contestants can not sign up for a second round location if they are not selected by the judges to do so.
5. Contestants will compete in the order in which they check-in the day of event. Performance slots and times may be limited.
6. No songs with profanity will be allowed.
7. Original songs and compositions cannot be performed.
8. Contest is open to amateurs only. No individuals touring in local and or national productions or with a current or previous record deal are eligible to participate.
9. By entering the contest, participants consent to have their photo taken and to have their performance videotaped, shared online, or via social media.
10. The People’s Stage Karaoke and the City of Chicago reserve the right to use all names, photos, video, music, and information acquired during the Chicago Sings Karaoke competition in any promotional materials.
11. Contestants must always use family-friendly language on stage, and may not engage in any confrontational, unsportsmanlike, or inappropriate behavior or communications with The People’s Stage Karaoke and venue’s staff, judges, audience members, or other contestants. Any violations of this policy, as determined solely by an official representative of The People’s Stage Karaoke, will result in immediate, permanent disqualification of the contestant, which is irreversible and non-negotiable.
12. Employees of all participating venues and affiliates of the production team are ineligible to compete.
How To Participate
Please note that online registration is now closed, but a limited number of walk-ins may be accepted at each participating venue and on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Events are open to the general public 21+ and Chicago residents can follow the conversation on social media using #ChicagoSingsKaraoke.
About The People’s Stage Karaoke
The People's Stage Karaoke is a service that focuses on providing the best karaoke experience in Chicago in partnership with different venues on a weekly basis or on special occasions for public, private and special events. The People's Stage Karaoke – Your Life, Your Music, Your Stage
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.