Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

You Think You Can Sing? A New Chicago Karaoke League Will Let Teams Compete

By Ariel Cheung | March 23, 2015 5:46am
 We all know your version of
We all know your version of "Oops I Did It Again" is the best, so why not share it with the world?
View Full Caption
Shutterstock

SOUTH LAKEVIEW — If your renditions of classic karaoke jams like "Don't Stop Believin'" and "I Will Survive" bring down the house, test your skills in a new competitive league.

While Chicago has a thriving karaoke scene, Second City Karaoke touts itself as the first and only team-based karaoke league in Chicago, and it's launching its inaugural season in May.

For 10 weeks, Second City Karaoke teams will compete for the title of karaoke champions and the opportunity to perform at the House of Blues I Am Fest in August. Each week, teams will meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., to compete in three rounds: two solo performances and one group song.

Semifinals and finals take place in July. A smartphone scoring system is used to judge each performance, with singers and audience members ranking the teams.

Songs can only be sung once per season, with team leaders submitting choices the night before. The season will also include multiple theme nights.

"I'm excited we're creating a singular experience like this in Chicago, a city where the competitive nature of sports and a diverse array of arts and culture intersect like no other," said league manager Em Hall.

Second City Karaoke joins other United Karaoke leagues in New York City, Los Angeles, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

During the 2013 finals in Washington, D.C. Karaoke members dressed up like superheroes, Beyonce "Single Ladies" backup dancers and "The Wizard of Oz" characters during their performances.

Membership is $57 per person and includes a T-shirt, alcohol specials, prizes and invitations to exclusive parties, theme nights and other special events. Interested singers can form a team, join a team or register as a free agent. Those who register by April 3 receive a $4 discount.

The season schedule will be:

May 6 - Pre-Season Social @ The Elbo Room
May 13 - Week 1: 2CK Unplugged: Anything Goes!
May 20 - Week 2: Theme 1
May 27 - Week 3: Theme 2
June 3 - Week 4: Anything Goes!
June 17 - Week 5: Theme 3
June 24 - Week 6: Anything Goes!
July 1 - Week 7: Theme 4
July 8 - Week 8: Theme 5
July 15 - Week 9: Quarter and Semifinals
July 22 - Week 10: Finals

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: