Brooklyn gets set to crown a new Senior Idol

July 28, 2014 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

State Sen. Marty Golden congratulates Sherry Kayser, the winner of the 2013 Brooklyn Senior Idol talent contest

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Older adults all over Brooklyn are spending the summer rehearsing for the chance to become a star.

Auditions for the Eighth Annual Brooklyn Senior Idol contest are a little over a month away and would-be finalists are busy preparing to impress the judges so that they can get into the final.

The auditions are set for Monday, Sept. 8, at Xaverian High School, 7100 Shore Road in Bay Ridge, at 4 p.m.

Brooklyn Senior Idol will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25, also at Xaverian High School, at 7 p.m.

The contest is open to anyone age 50 or older.

Brooklyn Senior Idol is modeled after “American Idol,” the popular talent competition on Fox. But the Brooklyn version has a twist: the contest is designed to display the talents of senior citizens.

The popularity of “American Idol” has waned in recent years, as evidenced by a decline in Nielsen ratings. In May, Rolling Stone reported that “American Idol” ratings have decreased by 30 percent over the past two years.

But Brooklyn Senior Idol appears to be growing more popular.

Last year’s winner, Sherry Kayser, mesmerized the audience with her soulful version of “You Belong to Me,” the 1950s hit by Jo Stafford that begins with the lyrics, “See the Pyramids along the Nile.”

Senior citizens trying out for the 2014 contest on Sept. 8 should bring a CD or cassette tape to accompany their performance. A piano will be available and contestants can bring a guitar.

Finalists will be selected from those who audition to compete. At the Oct. 4 finals, the winner will be selected through the votes of the audience and the judges.

State Sen. Marty Golden, who sponsors Brooklyn Senior Idol, said the caliber of the contestants keeps getting better and better. “Every year, Brooklyn’s Senior Idol attracts great talent from our borough and many fans show up to cheer on our contestants at the show,” he said. “This year, as we set our sights on the crowning this year’s Brooklyn Senior Idol, I look forward to another successful event which has come a very popular tradition. So if you can sing, be sure to try out. And if you want to see a great show, don’t miss the show.”

Tickets for the event are $10 each and can only be purchased at the door. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Xaverian High School Music Scholarship Fund. Monies will also go toward the purchase of new instruments for the Xaverian music program.

For more information on Brooklyn Senior Idol, call Golden’s office at 718-238-6044.