By Natalee Kerr
New local singing talent is emerging in an entertaining competition at North Geelong’s Sphinx Hotel.
The hotel’s Voice of Geelong Across has so far completed nine weekly heats testing the karaoke skills of local amateurs.
The inaugural talent search’s tenth and final heat is tonight, giving contestants their last opportunity to vie for the grand final.
Sphinx marketing manager Santosh Dsouza said the contest had received a strong response.
“We’ve seen some great talent so far in the heats, so it’s shaping up to be a big grand final,” he said.
“The winners of the heats are based on three categories: vocals, presentation and applause.
“It’s a great opportunity to get up on stage and perform in front of an audience.”
The competition was open to people aged 18 years and over but was closed to paid performers or singers with past or existing recording contracts, Dsouza said.
Heat winners would each sing two songs in the grand final.
“Heat winners and wildcards will get the chance to perform twice in front of a panel consisting of five to six judges,” Dsouza said.
“It will be a great night. We’re really looking forward to the grand final, along with seeing the talent presented to us in the last heat.“
The Sphinx will host the Voice of Geelong grand final on 26 April, with $5000 for the winner.
