The Martlet

In its third week, UVic Idol 2009 has already boasted talented and diverse performances. The conclusion of round one at Felicita’s on Oct. 15 saw nine new performers take the stage.

Matt Lemay, the winner of last year’s UVIC Idol, is hosting the competition. To begin the night, he sang a fun cover of “Ride Sally Ride.”

Lemay introduced the panel of judges: “The Reverend,” host of the Rock n’ Roll Breakfast Show on 101.9 CFUV, UVSS Director at Large Meghan Shannon and finally Lisa Vargas, an elementary school teacher and UVic music major.

The judging results are based 50 per cent on audience ballots and 50 per cent on the judges’ scores.

First to take the stage around 9:30 p.m. was Ryan Williams. He started the round with the swing hit, “Zoot Suit Riot.”

Williams got into it with some wild dance moves, and while the crowd at Felicita’s was still small, he captured the attention of those present.

The judges gave Williams positive feedback, though noted he may want to “try and take a few more risks.”

Next, Jeremy Notheisz performed “Nessun dorma” by Pavarotti (the same song that shot Paul Potts to fame on Britain’s Got Talent).

It was an unconventional song choice for a karaoke competition, but Notheisz, a vocal student, amazed everyone with his powerful voice.

“You blew my mind,” said The Reverend.

Alicia O’Jay, one of several competitors from last year, sang next. She looked nervous to follow Notheisz, but performed a beautiful rendition of “Beautiful Goodbye” by Amanda Marshall.

The judges complimented her on her song choice, saying it was the “perfect song for her voice” and confirmed she was “awesome.”

Then, Chanel Chu sang “Another Sad Love Song” by Toni Braxton. While more difficult to hear than the previous contestants, she did well with her Mariah Carey-esque voice.

After a karaoke break for crowd participation, Chris Lu restarted the competition. This time, the bar was nearly full.

Lu sang a heartfelt cover of “All Out of Love” by Air Supply.

“Air Supply to me has always been a joke,” said The Reverend. “[But] You made me like Air Supply!”

Conor Rooney arrived on the stage next in a flashy turquoise dress shirt and sang the difficult Blood Sweat and Tears song, “And When I Die.”

Both the host and the judges enjoyed his performance, but enjoyed his shirt more.

“You’re a triple threat,” said Shannon. “The shirt, the song, the singer.”

“Everyone tonight has been so good,” Rooney commented later. “It’s definitely a more difficult competition than last year.”

Lauren Kyfiuk performed next with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” She seemed the most comfortable on stage, and the crowd sang along loudly to the popular hit.

“The butterflies in my stomach are pretty active,” Kyfiuk said a few minutes before going on stage.

She had no reason to worry, however, as both judges and crowd loved her performance.

“I’ve got one word written down here: killer,” said The Reverend.

Next, Emily Mintz kept the energy high by singing another popular song, Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.”

“Some spots you got it really good,” said one judge. Vargas remembered Mintz from last year’s Idol and noted that she has “improved.”

Peter Jorgenson wound up the night with “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer. Jorgenson recruited a huge fan base, all who stood the entire time singing along.

UVSS Chairperson Veronica Harrison organized the event and was pleased with the performances.

“There’s a lot of talent,” she said.

Harrison also said the competition has been “very popular” with a bigger turn out than last year thanks to more people coming out to cheer on their friends.

“We’re really excited,” said Harrison. “And next semester we’re switching it up and putting on UVic’s Got Talent.”

With the number of talented artists who performed Thursday, the judges’ decision was surely difficult.

Notheisz, O’Jay, Chu, Kyfiuk, Mintz and Jorgenson moved onto the next round.

First place prize for UVIC Idol is $750 cash and a $250 Travel Cuts gift certificate, second prize is $250 cash and a $200 Travel Cuts gift certificate, and third is a $150 gift certificate.

Round two begins Nov. 5, where the successful singers will each perform two songs. It costs $2, which buys you one chance to vote.