Downtown Showdown to showcase talent
Sugarshack Downtown is on a mission to find Southwest Florida talent by hosting its first-ever singing competition, The Downtown Showdown.
“We host live music every day, seven days a week, but this will be our first-ever competition highlighting local talent from all over the Southwest Florida area. Our plan is to make it an annual event,” said Julia Szilagyi, Sugarshack Downtown event coordinator. “This event will be successful with the support of the locals! Gather your music, food, and drink loving friends, and make plans to join us for every Tuesday of the competition.”
The competition is open to all ages, with parental consent for contestants under 18 years old. Those interested are asked to upload their audition video to such supportive platforms as — Instagram, YouTube and Vimeo, as well as submitting it to their website.
“We know there is tons of talent right here in our own backyard, and we are on a mission to find it. Being a live music restaurant, music and community is baked into our foundation,” she said. “We’re all well-aware that summer is the time of year when most businesses close-up shop and overlook our locals. Sugarshack Downtown is dedicated to changing that narrative by bringing the community together through music and shining a spotlight on who call Southwest Florida home.”
The singing contest will take place over a seven-week period starting Tuesday, July 1, at 6 p.m.
Preliminary rounds are every Tuesday in June with eight contestants competing each night.
“The top two of each preliminary round will advance to our semi-final round on Tuesday, Aug. 5, and the top five will compete in the finals on Tuesday, Aug. 12,” she said.
The top three will be crowned with the grand prize winner taking home a $2,500 cash prize, as well as other gifts.
“The contestants will be singing along with a live band, the Sugarshack Allstars. Each contestant will be judged by a panel of three judges – one member of the legendary Sugarshack crew, one local Southwest Florida celebrity, and the third just is you – the live audience,” Szilagyi said. “The audience will be able to cast their vote via text at the end of each night to make sure their voice is heard. Come out and support all of your favorites.”
She said Sugarshack Downtown offers covered outdoor and indoor seating, two bars and an outdoor stage.
“We preserve heritage oaks and repurposed a historic building from 1941,” Szilagyi said. “With more than 270 seats, we create a destination for Southwest Florida, combining local history with live music, and community gatherings.”
For more information, visit sugarshackdowntown.com.