Bay Ridge

Senior Idol winner wows crowd with ‘You Belong to Me’

October 10, 2013 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
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Sherry Kayser invited the audience at the Seventh Annual Senior Idol talent competition to “see the pyramids along the Nile,” and they willingly went along!

Kayser’s rendition of the 1950’s Jo Stafford hit “You Belong to Me” earned her top honors in the contest held Oct. 5 in Bay Ridge.

Kayser was selected as the winner by a panel of judges that included Brooklyn Daily Eagle columnist Charles Otey, Xaverian High School Music Director Joseph Loposky and Xaverian music teacher Karen Chalif. Larry Morrish, a well known Bay Ridge civic and political activist, served as master of ceremonies for the evening.

Sponsored by state Sen. Marty Golden (R-C-Bay Ridge-southern Brooklyn), Senior Idol is a talent contest modeled on the smash hit television show “American Idol,” except that it has an interesting twist. The competition is designed to show off the singing skills of seniors and is open only to Brooklyn residents over the age of 50.

Kayser beat out the other nine finalists in the contest, which took place before a crowd of 200 spectators at Our Lady of Angels auditorium at 347 74th St. “All of the finalists were wonderful,” Otey said.

The finalists and the songs they performed included: Victoria Keller (“Cabaret”), Louis Keith (“Georgia On My Mind”), Stephanie Spathakis (“Today I Met The Boy I’m Gonna Marry”), Wei Rong Chu (“Our Country”), Andy Gandolfo (“Peggy Sue”), Gagz Danzo (“Ain’t That A Kick In The Head”), Nick Thomas (“Can’t Buy Me Love”), Daniel Onzo (“Being Alive”) and Florence Irving (“Don’t Cry Out Loud”).

As the grand prize winner, Kayser will be the opening act in Golden’s summer concert series next year. Golden sponsored a series of outdoor concerts in parks in his senate district throughout the summer.

“Saturday night we held what I consider to be the best event of the year. It was a night full of excitement and great entertainment.  I want to thank all the judges, our master of ceremonies, and congratulate Sherry Kayser, who gave an unforgettable performance. I can’t wait to see her open up the Summer Concert Series next year!” Golden said.

Tickets for the Senior Idol show were $10.00 and all of the proceeds will go to benefit the Xaverian High School Music Scholarship Fund and to purchase new instruments to support the school’s music program, Golden said.

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