Berkshire Idol 2008 Finale Scheduled March 29
NORTH ADAMS - Residents will have a chance to support local charities while cheering on the finalists at the third annual Berkshire Idol competition on Saturday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m. at Drury High School.More than 150 people, age 10 and older, auditioned for the competition; the semi-finalist judges have narrowed the field to 16 entertainers, each of whom raised $100 or more for the Family Life Support Center's Louison House, a local shelter for women and families.
The finalists in the children's division are: Mary Alice Wieland, 10; Noelle Walser, 14; Abigail Tague, 11; Tyra Nurmi, 12; Kristina Miller, 14; Noel Lugo, 4; Emily Lipinski, 13, and Rebecca Daniels, 14.
Adult finalists are Kristina Clark, Nikki Skipper, Stephanie Shurtleff, Michael Wood, Rosemary Blessing, Teddy Bourgeois, Shannon Lemieux and Joseph Sicotte.
Videos of semi-final performances can be viewed at www.iberkshires.com/berkshireidol, where readers can cast their votes for who they think the 2008 Berkshire Idol should be.
Even though all of the contestants have shown tremendous support through their fundraising efforts for the Louison House, only two contestants can walk away with the big prizes. The $1,000 prize is enticing but for most of this local talent, the opportunity to record with Skyboro Sound studio is even more of an incentive.
Another source of inspiration will be "local girl gone Nashville" Lita Williams. The Drury High School graduate and successful country singer will be working double-duty as both a performer and judge for the event.
Other well-known names include Inception Music record promoter John Souchack, returning for the third year, and Dina Rizzotto from Universal/Motown records. Between performances, emcee Tred Hulse, a deejay from Albany's The River 95.5FM, will provide some laughs.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Moulton's General Store in North Adams, Tailored Events in Pittsfield and the Mountain Goat in Williamstown, or at the door.
