Calling all weekend karaoke singers.
The Karaoke World Championships USA has selected O’Brien’s Irish Pub, 701 W. Lumsden Rd., Brandon, to host the Florida State Championship and local qualifying competitions.
KWCUSA’s Florida State director, Robert Humphrey, said O'Brien's is an ideal venue with its reputation for quality entertainment and a family-friendly atmosphere.
During the championships, singers compete at the local level and then advance through state, regional, and finally the national competition at Black Oak Casino in Tuolumne, Calif.
One male and one female will go on to Finland Nov. 21-24 with paid hotel and airfare, along with $1,000 cash, to compete for the world title.
The Karaoke World Championships began in 2003.
In addition to the United States, participating countries include Australia, Austria, Belarus, Canada, China, Faroe Islands, Finland, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Moldova, Norway, New Zealand, Panama, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Vietnam.
Last year's world champions were Luis Bouti of Panama and Raquel Pando of Spain. In 20122, Marc Hatem of Lebanon and Cassandra Jopp of the United States took the top titles.
Dates and details for the local qualifying and state competitions have not yet been announced.
Any karaoke singers interested in competing can register on the KWC website.
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