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Altos, sopranos, tenors and basses will want to limber up those vocal cords to participate in a new karaoke contest for islanders. Presented by the Pine Island VFW and hosted by Bob “Elvis” Betz, this contest is open to all singers beginning Saturday, July 16, at the VFW Post 4353, 8150 Stringfellow Road, St. James City.

“We decided to host this fun event to encourage people to get out, have fun and get to know the Pine Island VFW,” said post commander Jan Sausman. “This is not a fund-raiser, it is just an opportunity for everyone to have a good time during the summer months.”

The contests will take place each Friday night through Aug. 20, beginning at 6 p.m. Throughout the series, the top six performers, as determined by a panel of judges, will go on to compete and perform their own shows Friday, Sept. 3.

The rules for the VFW Karaoke Contest are as follows:

— All contestants must be at least 21 years of age

— Contestant may use a CD of their choosing

— Each contestant may only qualify for the finals once

— Any contestant that does not qualify one week is free to enter another qualifying round to try again

— Duets, trios, etc., are not permitted. Only single contestants are allowed

— Contestants may sing the same song as another contestant

— Contestants are allowed to use props

— Contestants will not be allowed to sing from their chair or out in the crowd. You must sing from the area designated by the bar and karaoke company.

— Contestants will sing two judged songs. If there is a tie, the contestants involved in the tie may, at the discretion of the judges, have to sing another judged song. If this does not break the tie, or if there is not enough time to sing another judged song, the judges will decide who the winner is.

— Qualifying participants may not use the same song for the finals that they used to qualify with.

— Contestants, their family or associates are not allowed to have contact of any kind with any judge during the contest.

— Contestants, their family or associates who exhibit offensive behavior during any portion of the contest, will disqualify that contestant from further competition and will nullify that contestants score if he/she has already competed. This includes whining or complaining to another contestant, bar patron, employee or judges. Please conduct yourself in a dignified manner. The judge’s decisions are final

— The order that each contestant competes will be determined by random drawing

— Each qualifying round will be limited to the first 20 participants who sign up at the judges discretion. Get there early

— Each participant will be judged on a 50 point system for each song with a possible 100 total:

1. Vocal ability (rhythm/pitch/phrasing) 1 to 20 pints

2. Stage presence (movement/confidence/command) 1 to 15 points

3. Song selection (vocal fit/range) 1 to 10 points

4. Appearance (costume/attire) 1 to 5 points

— Contestants must be present when the winners are announced to qualify

— Contestants are entitled to their individual scores only. A contestant may receive his or her score from the karaoke host after the contest has ended and the winners are announced

— Decisions of the judges are final

The prizes to be awarded are $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place. There is no fee to participate and the contest is open to the public.

Dinner will also be served each Friday evening and can be purchased by spectators and participants a like.

For more information, or to participate as a judge in the VFW Karaoke Contest, call Bob Betz at 896-3697.