Lamorinda Idol

Overview

Lamorinda Idol, created and sponsored by the Orinda Arts Council, offers a multi-month collection of auditions, performance workshops, community performances and a final competition. Participants learn to choose music that highlights their talent, present themselves creatively, connect with an audience, take constructive criticism, and win or lose graciously. They also get to meet like-minded young people and feel the support of adult volunteers who believe that performing arts add to the fabric of our community.

Lamorinda Idol is open to young people in kindergarten through 12th grade as of Spring 2013 who either attend school or reside in Orinda, Moraga and Lafayette. Entries may be made by individual soloists or by groups. Young people from other communities can participate in the group categories, providing that at least one of their group is from Lamorinda.

Lamorinda Idol was previously was named Orinda Idol, and 2013 will be the eighth year of this successful activity. The name has been changed going forward to reflect the activity’s full involvement of young people from Orinda, Moraga and Lafayette.

Auditions will be held May 16 - 18, 2013 when Finalists and Runners-up will be selected by a panel of three judges. Registration for auditions will be from April 1 - 30, 2013. The Finalists will perform at the Finals to be held at the Orinda Theatre on Sunday, September 8, 2013. Soloists will compete in four categories by grade and groups will compete in three categories by grade. Finalists will receive immediate feedback from a panel of three judges. Winners in each category will be based on a combination of the judges’ scoring and the audience vote. An Audience Award will also be given to that participant who is not a category winner with the highest number of audience votes. Category winners will receive cash prizes, the Audience Award winner will receive a special prize and all Finalists will receive gift certificates.

Following the auditions, Finalists and Runners-up will have the opportunity to attend or participate in a number of other events, including workshops on song selection and what makes an outstanding performance, a summer pool and karaoke party, and performances in the Orinda Community Park, at Orinda Theatre Square, and possibly other venues. Winners will also be invited to perform at the Orinda Car Show, the Orinda EFO/Chamber of Commerce Dine Around Town event, and the Orinda Arts Council’s Christmas Luncheon.