Auditions and entries in SE Wisconsin

Bel Canto is seeking new members, The Milwaukee Theatre hosts “Singing with the Broadway Stars,” a unique vocal competition, and The Establishment Salon is looking for a few talented artists to help chalk up the streets. For more information, see below.

Bel Canto Chorus

The 100-voice Bel Canto Chorus is Milwaukee’s premier, independent choral organization, as well as Wisconsin’s oldest performing arts organization. Since 1931, Bel Canto has provided both professional and amateur singers alike with extraordinary opportunities to perform a vast and inspiring repertoire, from Baroque to modern.

Bel Canto collaborates regularly with other performing arts groups such as the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, the Milwaukee Ballet, and The Skylight. The Chorus has toured throughout Europe and Canada, performing in major cultural centers, at prestigious music festivals, and for international competitions. Rehearsals currently take place on a weekly basis at a central Milwaukee location.

* Music – Participate in premieres and explore a cappella and orchestral choral repertoire from ancient to modern
* Enrichment – Enhance musical skills with like-minded singers
* Fun – Join social gatherings and meet new people
* Community – Help weave the cultural fabric of Greater Milwaukee and enhance the quality of life in our community
* History – Be a part of Southeastern Wisconsin’s oldest performing arts organization
* Culture – See the world on our international concert tours
* Transformation – Join a group of dedicated singers on an emotional journey, bringing music to life in powerful, moving performances

The chorus is currently seeking new members and will hold auditions on September 11. To schedule an audition, or for more information, call 414.481.8801.

Milwaukee Theatre: Singing with the Broadway Stars

Five Broadway stars are giving contestants the chance to join them on stage in Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway at the Milwaukee Theatre at 7:30 pm. Friday, Oct. 22.

Contestants are asked to upload a 90- to 120-second video clip of themselves singing a Broadway favorite to YouTube, MySpace, or Facebook. They then can visit www.singingwiththebroadwaystars.com and select “Milwaukee.”  Fill out the submission form and send a link to your video by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6. The panel will judge the audition tapes to decide who will get the chance to show off their singing skills in front of their family and friends with five Broadway stars and an all-star New York band.

The panel will announce the winners on Tuesday, Oct. 12, and winners will receive notification by e-mail or phone. One winner and several runners-up will be selected by the show’s panel of industry experts (including producers, singers and managers as well as Neil Berg himself).

100 Years of Broadway features stars from Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Jekyll and Hyde, Fiddler on The Roof, Wonderful Town, Tarzan, Cats, The Woman in White and It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues singing hit songs from the best Broadway musicals.

Submission guidelines are posted at www.singingwiththebroadwaystars.com.

The Establishment Salon presents: The 2010 Chalk Art Contest

The Establishment Salon has launched a public Chalk Art contest. To enter, simply draw Chalk Art on a sidewalk or building anywhere around Milwaukee, include The Establishment name or logo somewhere in the work, take a picture and send it in.

Submissions are accepted via email at info@establishmentproductions.com, on Facebook to The Establishment Salon Fan Page or on Twitter to @EstablishmentWI.  Each person who submits will receive a $10 gift certificate toward services at The Establishment.

Deadline is September 18th, 11:59pm.

The winning submission getting a $100 gift certificate and all entries receive a $10 gift certificate. Top 5 entries will be selected by local artists Mike Brenner, Dwellephant and Kevin Callahan. The Top 5 then enter an online voting battle decided by the general public.

Founded in 2004, The Establishment has been a long-time supporter of local art and artists and has sponsored the Milwaukee Film Festival, gallery exhibitions at the Burning Snow Center for Arts and Mondo Lucha, to name a few.