When it comes to the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous lip sync competition, you might have to bring more of an A-game than you’d have to bring to a contest where you actually sing. Somehow, lip sync competitions have come to attract a level of commitment to theatrics usually reserved for Broadway.
“It’s just fun,” said Marjie Cowell, one of the organizers of this year’s show, which takes place at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre (KDCC) on at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22. “It gives adults a chance to be fun and goofy. Everybody loves having their three minutes onstage. And not actually having to sing the song, it makes it that much less intimidating.”
So much less intimidating that you can actually feel pretty awesome dressing up in head-to-toe spandex to sing Bonnie Tyler’s I Need a Hero, the way some performers did in 2018 (and won the people’s choice award in the process).
Cowell said this year’s show has a full 12 acts, chosen from among the winners at preliminary lip sync competitions that took place in Whitehorse in November, December and January. In addition to the entertainment provided by those acts, which range in size from soloists to groups of four, classic Rendezvous characters will be onstage.
“You’re going to see them all – the Showshoe Shufflers and the Sams and the Queens will all be adding to the fun of the evening,” said Cowell.
The prizes for the winners, chosen by a panel of judges, include $750 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third. The people’s choice award winner receives a $250 gift card for Air North.
Cowell, who is new to organizing the event, said that even having seen the lip sync spectacle last year didn’t prepare her for the degree of preparation performers put into their routines. She said people keep contacting her to talk about technical cues and coordination.
“It’s really whatever each performer puts into it. Last year they all brought their A-game. There was some really great coordination last year, and props. One group built a cardboard car and the whole time they were bouncing in this lowrider. And the costumes were amazing,” she said.
She said the judges this year aren’t all confirmed, but she knows she definitely has Antoinette, owner of Antoinette’s Restaurant and Liberal MLA Paolo Gallina.
“I think the big thing is they want to see you moving your lips to the songs, but also your creativity and your approach. Jus to have fun with it,” Cowell said.
The event will be emceed by Sourdough Sam hopeful, Just Stew.
Discounted tickets for the event are available through the website at YukonRendezvous.com, but will also be available at the door of the KDCC.
