Arts & Entertainment

Sing! Competition in Deer Park

Semi-finalists from Lake Zurich to Naperville will perform Sept. 17 and 24 at the Deer Park Town Center for a chance to advance to the national finals of Sing!

A talented group of Buffalo Grove vocalists will be among the 18 area semi-finalists competing in Saturday’s Sing! vocal competition at the Deer Park Town Center in Deer Park.

The event is tied to a national competition for singing ensembles and soloists, sponsored by Developers Diversified Realty (DDR). Live performances will be held at 13 DDR shopping centers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The top three finalists from each event will go on to compete for the grand prize. The national winners will be determined by online votes of their video-taped performances.

“Arts and education have always been a top corporate objective and the impact music has on both the arts and education makes Sing! a natural fit for our company,” said Dawn Marie Lecklikner, regional vice president of shopping center marketing for DDR.

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“Sing! brings a positive and empowering experience to our communities, gives back to a deserving non-profit and who knows, may provide a ‘big break’ to a talented undiscovered group,” she said.

Buffalo Grove's Encore group will perform songs including Bridge Over Troubled Water and Lean on Me.

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The national group winner will receive $20,000 for the charity of their choice, $5,000 in DDR Mastercard gift cards, and an exciting opportunity to record a song with Emmy Award winning singer/songwriter Kevin Briody. The national solo winner will receive $5,000 for their charity, $2,500 worth of gift cards and that once-in-a-lifetime recording session.

If Encore wins, the $20,000 prize will be donated to the .

Semi-finalists from across the country and in Puerto Rico will compete this month at their local DDR shopping centers. The groups that go on to compete at nationals will be selected based on judges' scores and .

Deer Park’s performances will be held noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 and 24 at the Deer Park Town Center located at 20530 N. Rand Road.

Regina Verdico, marketing director for the Deer Park Town Center, said the event will take place under a covered stage near the gazebo area outside Brighton Collectibles and Brooks Brothers. Deer Park will be distributing 50 goodie bags filled with coupons and store items. Additionally, Kernel Fabyan’s will pass out samples of their gourmet popcorn.

Because the contestants reside from Lake Zurich to Naperville, said Verdico, “We expect a good turnout of spectators to support the groups and soloists.”

Performing Saturday, Sept. 17:

  • Buffalo Grove - Encore!; The Five Stars
  • Chicago - Janey Age
  • Lake Zurich - Bare Voices; Sarah, Bianca, Taylor; Taylor Welborn
  • Naperville - Yaevin Lee
  • Pingree Grove - Alexis Nguyen
  • Wauconda - Powerhouse; Heather Moran

Performing Saturday, Sept. 24:

  • Buffalo Grove - Donna Galloway
  • Chicago - Martin Hughes
  • Hoffman Estates - Do-Wop Crop,
  • Long Grove - Kate Diaz
  • Oak Lawn - Canticum Choir 
  • Palatine - Erin Fisher; Midnight Blues
  • St. Charles - Jamie Ann Dowat

In addition, Kevin Briody will appear Sept. 17 and Deer Park’s Center for Ballroom Dance will perform on both dates.


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