Burlingame Idol Is Back

Do you sing in the shower? How about the car? Or, maybe you’re more the sing-into-my-hairbrush-in-my-bedroom type. Either way, it’s time to take your talents out from behind the steering wheel and into the spotlight, because Burlingame Idol is back!

The community singing contest, now in its fourth year, welcomes vocalists ages 5 and over to compete for the title of Burlingame Idol. Here’s how it works: Beginning Monday, March 26 and for the four following Mondays, auditions will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Burlingame Recreation Center. The first hour is reserved for younger participants. After the audition round, the field will be narrowed to three competitors in each of the five age categories.

During the first week of June, the finalists will compete in front of an audience for the title, with a winner in each category. Age categories are 5-10 years old, 11-14 years old, 15-18 years old, 19-39 years old and 40 and older.

Of past competitors, one girl went on to compete in NBC’s The Voice and another earned a part in a movie starring Gerard Butler.

“Who else is going to be discovered?” said Burlingame Idol director Cathy Foxhoven. “From a little local contest, it’s kind of exciting.”

Foxhoven welcomes all singers, but isn’t afraid to scout while out and about in Burlingame, as well. She told Patch of a grocery shopping trip, during which she encountered a singing butcher with a beautiful voice. Another time, upon entering a Burlingame elementary school, she found a janitor playing piano and singing along. She told both of them she had to have them in Burlingame Idol.

“I’m hoping to see these gentlemen, and if they do come--and they said they would--they will probably make it to the finals,” Foxhoven said. “You just never know.”

Winners from previous years are ineligible, but former finalists can compete again. Participants must arrive at auditions prepared with a memorized song and CD accompaniment. Singers must register and pay the $50 entry fee before auditioning.

For more Burlingame news, "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for our newsletter for daily, weekly or breaking news updates.