Brandon Singers Compete Today for Teen, Adult Idol Crowns

Today's the day Brandon will name its latest idol victors, with youth and adult contests set to get under way Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, at the Brandon Elks Lodge.

According to organizer Dave Loebig, attendees can get discounted tickets for the adult show by mentioning the contest and purchasing any item to eat or drink at one of three restaurants in the Greater Brandon area:

• The Clubhouse Sports Cafe, 1265 Kingsway Road
• The Oaks Bar & Grill, 108 Lithia Pinecrest Road
• The Shrimp Warehouse, 779 West Lumsden Road

The discount for the adult show brings the cost down to $15.

Cost to attend Brandon Idol is $25 (which is $5 less than last year's event). To attend Brandon Idol Teen, the cost is $15 for adults and $5 for children under age 18. The Brandon Elks Lodge is at 800 Centennial Lodge Drive in Brandon.

Both events are collectively known as the Momentum Festival and this year’s benefiting charity is the Brandon Family YMCA. 

Brandon Idol Teen contestants will compete in one of two categories: ages 10-13 and ages 14-17.

Brandon Idol adult contestants have been selected at auditions held at various Greater Brandon venues over the past two months.

In addition to the awarding of the idol crown, attendees cast votes for the People’s Choice Award.

• 2012 Brandon Idol Contestants
• 2012 Brandon Teen Idol Contestants

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Neat Facts About Brandon Idol and Last Year's Contest

• Brandon Idol has been a fundraiser to help community efforts since its start in 2001, as an event hosted by Arlene Waldron in what would become her successful bid for honorary mayor of Brandon. The mayoral race is run each year in June, with the new mayor “elected” based on the candidate who raises the most money for local charities, including the Community Roundtable and the charities selected by each candidate.

• Over the past couple years, Brandon Idol has expanded, with a Brandon Idol Teen competition held for middle and high school students. Both idol contests are now part of the Momentum Festival held annually.

• The 2011 Brandon Idol winner was Maura Mazzer, who also took home the crown in 2005. In second place was Tammy Groff, the 2006 Idol winner. In third place, Alexander Shaw IV. The People’s Choice Award went to Chris Halfman. Mazzer sang, “I Am What I Am,” from the musical "La Cage Aux Folles,” and then ended the show with her rendition of “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” from “Funny Girl."

• Joining Mazzer, Groff, Shaw and Halfman in the 2011 Brandon Idol contest were singers Pedro Amaral, Brittany Brown, Racquel Elliot, James Hemenway, Lazarus Lastres, Britt Lobato, Jonathan Mousset, Erica Saenz and Beyoncie Staley.

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RELATED COVERAGE:

• Brandon Teen Idol Contestants Wow the Judges (2011)

• A Look Back: Brandon Idol Contest 10 Years Later (VIDEO)

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