With immensely popular shows like American Idol and The Voice giving hopefuls the chance at stardom, the International Summer Night Market is looking to give people a similar opportunity, albeit on a slightly smaller scale.
The first, and aiming to be annual, Summer Night Idol will take place at this year's Summer Night Market giving singers of all ages a chance to let their voices be heard.
The idea came from Robb Hardnette, the founder of the StreetBeat Entertainment Society, a group that encourages diversity, self-esteem and an awareness of social issues through the arts and entertainment.
"I had talked with the owner, Paul Cheung, and we did a performance last year at the summer market and he came up and said, 'Wow that was fantastic, we'd like to have you again next year and maybe be more a part of it,'" said Hardnette.
"I had seen some of the idol show that they had and I said here's an area where StreetBeat itself could really support and give more organization to it, because I think the idea itself is a fabulous idea to showcase talent here in B.C."
The night market had been doing a small idol type of event for the last couple of years, but it was always more of an impromptu thing, with people just coming on stage and singing for the crowd.
But this year it will be a much more organized event with auditions, judges and a prize for the top talent.
"Our ultimate goal is to search for the superstar performer that we can promote and send to recording companies in the coming season," said Paul Cheung.
"This event is going to be great exposure for the city, community and new talent and it is going to give youths a place to showcase their hidden art of music and dance."
Although the actual event doesn't start until the end of May, tryouts will be starting on April 26 at Landsdowne Centre from 6 to 7: 30 p.m.
"You can either email or you can text, and when you text 555-444 and then you put in SNI sign up, you'll get an immediate response that you have registered to be part of the audition," said Hardnette.
"We are trying to make it as close to the real deal like American Idol as possible, because that's going to make people more excited about it than an impromptu walking on stage."
Hardnette is hopeful for Summer Night Idol's success and plans on making this one of the most anticipated events of the annual Summer Night Market.
"We really want to get the best of the best so we can create a flagship mark for an event that if it continues next year, it just gets better and better and better."
