It's still going to be Estevan Idol. But this year, a secondnight segment, let's call it Estevan's Got Talent (EGT), will take centre stage for one night at the annual Estevan Exhibition. That means audition additions too.
According to Estevan Idol producer Lisa Sovdi-Beaulieu, it was time to spread wings by expanding the mandate in the search for new talent in and around the Energy City.
"Any age, family appropriate talent, that's the rule," Sovdi-Beaulieu said while making the announcement.
"If you can dance, are an illusionist, comedian or your pet can do all kinds of tricks then Estevan's Got Talent is for you," she said.
Last year the Estevan Idol governors were presented with a challenge when a two-girl duet team signed up for the auditions. As it turned out, they weren't able to appear due to previous commitments, but it opened up the question of whether or not Estevan Idol, the pure singing talent show, would expand its borders to include duets, trios or other singing groups.
Now those groups will have a slot. They will be included in the Estevan's Got Talent segment, leaving Estevan Idol in its traditional format as a contest for solo singers and their instruments or backup music.
"We don't want to lose the essence of the competition for Estevan Idol, just add to the talent base," said Sovdi-Beaulieu.
The new category, EGT, will be for all ages while Estevan Idol will still operate with adult and junior categories. Adults are those 16 years of age and over and junior competitors are 15 and under.
Last year's call for auditions resulted in 24 junior contestants stepping up to the microphones while 10 adults took a stab at making it to the finals on the public stage.
"Audition judges determine who and how many get to go on stage for the money and prizes," said Sovdi-Beaulieu who is producing the show for a third consecutive year.
The tentative schedule will see the first round of junior and senior Idol contestants on stage on the night of Monday, June 17, the first day of the exhibition.
On Tuesday, June 18, Estevan's Got Talent contestants will take to the stage and a winner will be declared that night.
On Wednesday, June 19, the Estevan Idol finalists will sing out one more time, bringing their best vocals for the public and the judges.
The auditions for both segments will be held Sunday, May 26 at Estevan Exhibition Hall.
"Estevan's Got Talent auditions will begin at 1 p.m.. Estevan Idol's senior hopefuls will audition beginning at 2 p.m. and at 3 p.m. the junior Idol hopefuls will audition," said Sovdi-Beaulieu.
Cara Herperger and Jayme Hall are the emcees and hostesses for all three nights.
While the Estevan Idol contestants will be at the mercy of the judges, the Estevan's Got Talent contributors will be judged according to audience appeal and applause with the judges simply providing some input into how the act might improve.
The names of the Estevan Idol judges will be announced at a later date.
The prizes all contestants will be vying for will also be announced later.
"As in the past, the prizes are based on community and local business sponsorships and they've been very generous in the past," Sovdi-Beaulieu said in conclusion.
