Tri-parish singers vie for ‘Centerstage’

Can you sing like Jordin Sparks? Taylor Hicks? How about Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson?

Then you could be Houma’s next musical star.

The Tri-parishes will separate the wanna-be’s from the best at the first annual Centerstage Singing Competition. Tryouts are set for June 9 and June 16, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

The tryouts are free to singers ages 9 and older who want to vie for a moment in the spotlight. Contestants are required to sing a two-minute piece a cappella.

Judges will select 25 locals to compete at the civic center for the title July 14.

From the original 25, judges will choose 10 lucky, and very talented, singers to return to the stage to perform a second song. The Centerstage winner will picked from that final panel.

What will the winner receive, one may ask.

Studio time at the Palms Spring Studio in Houma, an appearance on the Louisiana Network Connections (LNC), and a stage performance with a South Louisiana favorite, Treater, at the Downtown Live after Five festivities in Houma.

The Centerstage winner will also be a featured vocalist at Tab Benoit’s 2007 Voice of the Wetlands Festival Oct. 12-14.

“The winners always like recording music in the studio and performing with Treater and Tab Benoit,” said Centerstage creator Ann Duplantis.

LNC has promised to air highlights and bloopers from the two tryouts, as well as the final show for three weeks, so the Centerstage finalists will receive plenty of exposure, she noted. Similar to the Fox network’s “American Idol,” the Centerstage airing will give viewers a look behind the scenes at the tryouts and final competition.

“All the auditions are closed. We wanted to do something where we can show the public everything that went on. It’s something new and exciting, and I hope it’s enjoyable to every one,” the event’s creator said.

The singing competition is a spin-off of the now defunct Southland Mall Homeland Stars competition, Duplantis said.

Over a three-year span n 2003 to 2005, more than 200 people competed for local bragging rights as the region’s top singer.

When the mall announced Homeland Stars was coming to an end, Duplantis, a major player in the event, was determined to see the event continue.

“It was the only way that some of our residents can showcase their talent in the community,” she said.

After a layoff in 2006, it was time to bring a singing competition back to Houma.

“We had to change the name and get new sponsors,” Duplantis said. Trapp Cadillac Chevrolet and Charter Funding stepped up to provide backing for the event.

And with the venue change n from the mall to the civic center n Duplantis is hopeful the event will attract an even bigger audience.

“We were packing more than 700 people into the mall for the competition. This time we have adequate space to accommodate even more people,” she said.

Proceeds from the final event will benefit the parish’s CASA for Kids program. CASA provides services to abused and neglected children.

There is no entry fee for singers wishing to compete. Registration for the event will be held at the civic center on the days of tryouts.

For more information, contact Duplantis at (985) 790-3900.

Tri-parish singers vie for ‘Centerstage’