Lesbian Idol gears up

Thoughts of a lowly karaoke competition, begone. With its diversity of singing talent and an expected audience of 1,500, the grand final of Dikes On Mikes -“ Lesbian Idol on 11 February is shaping up as one of the Mardi Gras festival’s must-see events.

A few special guests will add to the Fox Studio event’s appeal.

Joining the eight finalists will be former Australian Idol judge Dicko, who will perform judging duties alongside resident judge Nic Van Dyke, Corinne Smith from The Singing Studio and New Mardi Gras’ Steph Sands.

The cast of Australian Queer Eye For The Straight Guy is also set to make an appearance.

Dicko chose to get involved in the grand final after hearing about the growing success of Lesbian Idol. He told Sydney Star Observer he saw the event as an opportunity to unearth fresh talent but also to exercise his critical powers.

I think it would be a shame for everyone involved if there wasn’t a certain amount of ritual humiliation, said Dicko, adding that he was looking for more than a single style of music.

After about four k.d. lang songs, I might stand up and say, -˜Look, get fucked, I’m going home,’ he said. I want some pop, I want some trashy pop, basically.

Dicko need not worry. Lesbian Idol’s director, Yvonne Hall, told the Star each grand final contestant would perform two songs representing different styles, and musical diversity would be a feature.

We’ve got girls who are rock, we’ve got RnB, we’ve got a fabulous cross-section, if you like, of genres going on there, Hall said.

In the lead-up to the grand final, the Lesbian Idol hopefuls will perform together at the Mardi Gras Launch in Hyde Park on Friday night.

While the song to be performed is under wraps, Hall is confident it will be a crowd pleaser. People are just going to be blown away -“ that’s all I can say, Hall said.

The Dikes on Mikes -“ Lesbian Idol grand final is on Friday February 11 at Fox Studios’ Stage 11, from 7pm. Tickets are available from www.moshtix.com.au.