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Thanks for your interest in Queer Idol! To sign up for an Audition, please read all the information on this page and apply at the bottom of this page.

We are currently in the process of gathering prizes for Queer Idol 2011 -- but rest assured, they will be fantastic. To date, we have secured $37,000 in prizes (and this number will grow!):

Our 2011 prize list will be finalized in the second week of November, 2010 -- so please stay tuned!

Queer Idol 2011 will incorporate Guest Judges into ALL rounds of competition (not just the Auditions). If a singer advances into competition, a combination of audience votes AND Judges' scores will determine who advances.

To date, the following high-profile people have signed up as Queer Idol Guest Judges:

JILL ALLEN	Shaun Proulx Media Business Development Manager
KEITH COLE	Dora-Nominated Actor
STEFF "IVORY" CONOVER	Recording Artist/Miss Canada Plus
JESSE DELL	Dancer/Choreographer
DOMINIC DENNY	Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Executive Director
SKY GILBERT	Buddies In Bad Times Theatre Founder
BRENDAN HEALEY	Buddies In Bad Times Theatre Artistic Director
RYAN G. HINDS	Performer
NICOLE HOLNESS	MTV Canada/Recording Artist
TODD KLINCK	Pornographer/Author/Genie-Nominated Screenwriter
DEB PEARCE	Broadcaster/Comedian/Drag King
SHANE PERCY	Grapefruit Producer/DJ/Columnist
DINA PUGLIESE	CityTV Breakfast Television Host
DREW ROWSOME	Fab Magazine Associate Editor/Crackpuppy Lead Vocalist
RICHARD RYDER	GayGuideToronto Columnist/Proud FM Host
TRACEY SANDILANDS	Pride Toronto Executive Director
EDDIE STONE	GayGuideToronto/Award-Winning Porn Star/Director
STACEY TENNEN	Queer Idol 2009
ALAN VERNON	Eye Weekly Editorial Director
PATRICIA WILSON	Crackpuppy Guitarist/Buddies In Bad Times Theatre

Queer Idol is a 10-month, life-changing, vocal competition that takes place on the third Friday of each month at Goodhandy's (120 Church Street) -- from November 19, 2010 to August 19, 2011 (from 9:30pm to 2:30am).

Queer Idol welcomes singers from all levels of experience and all styles of music.

At our Auditions and Pre-Auditions, all entrants will sing a capella for 30-seconds. If you advance into competition, however, all Queer Idol performances are done with backing/karaoke tracks (except the Semifinal Round which allows for limited live accompaniment).

If you get an audition at Queer Idol, you will be slotted into one of four groups (Group A, B, C or D). Our prestigious Judging Panel will determine which 36 singers advance into competition.

If you advance into competition, the three competitors with the most audience votes (each night) will advance to the next level. However, the Queer Idol Producer, Stage Manager and Music Directors will choose a FOURTH singer to advance each round based on their performance and professional conduct.

To see a flow chart which explains the structure and themes for Queer Idol 2011, please click here.

We recognize that entering a singing contest takes a lot of courage and the Queer Idol Event Staff and Judges go out of their way to be gentle but honest with the competitors.

Being in Queer Idol is demanding, but extremely rewarding -- and a LOT of fun!!!

To give you a better idea of what the Queer Idol Auditions are like, please click on this video link.

You must be 19+ to compete in QUEER IDOL. (Because Goodhandy's serves alcohol, you may be required to bring government issued age of majority indentification.)

Queer Idol is an INCLUSIVE event. We do not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation (so our straight allies are welcome to compete), age, gender, gender-identity, culture, ethnicity, class, etc.

There is no fee to enter QUEER IDOL.

QUEER IDOL is a competition for SOLO singers (sorry, no group acts).

The winner of Queer Idol 2009 and Queer Idol 2010 are prohibited from competing in Queer Idol 2011.

This season, Queer Idol will audition up to 52 singers. If you would like to audition at Queer Idol 2011, there are four important steps you must complete:

STEP 1: FACEBOOK
If you don't already have a FaceBook account, please create one immediately. When you do, please add Ralph Hamelmann (Queer Idol's Producer) as a friend. It's sometimes easier for us to contact competitors through this medium

STEP 2: APPLICATION
Complete an AUDITION APPLICATION FORM by November 4, 2010 . Please click here to complete this online application. PLEASE CAREFULLY READ AND ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.

STEP 3: ORIENTATION
Once we receive your fully completed Audition Application, you must attend a mandatory ORIENTATION on Saturday, November 6 from 1pm to 6pm at Goodhandy's, 120 Church Street (failure to arrive on time for the Orientation will mean disqualification -- you can arrive as early at 12:45pm).

At the Orientation, we will do the following:
- hold a fun jam session and an interactive ice-breaker
- explain the Terms, Prizes and Procedures for Queer Idol 2011
- take a photo of each Entrant (for publicity purposes)
- hold private Pre-Auditions and brief interviews with each applicant
For the Pre-Audition, please be prepared to sing for 30-seconds a cappella (without instrumental accompaniment).

STEP 4: CONFIRMATION
A few days after the Orientation, we will issue the names of the top qualifiers (who will either get an Audition or be put on our Waiting List). Within a week of receiving this email from us, you must confirm your participation or you will be disqualified.