Rosemont to host 'Big Break' vocal competition

Rosemont and Joe's Live, in partnership with Bar 1 Events Group, is launching Rosemont's first vocal competition, "Big Break."

Scheduled to begin with open auditions July 12 and July 19, the nine-week competition will feature weekly live performances to find the next vocal powerhouse. The winning vocalist will be awarded a $10,000 grand prize during a special finale event on MB Financial Park's great lawn Sept. 13.

First established in 2006, by Thomas Piazza of Bar 1 Events Group, "Big Break" has attracted thousands of patrons to Piazza's downtown Chicago bar properties over the past 12 years. Now, 2017 marks the first year that Piazza and his team, Big Break Productions, have created a second competition to be hosted in Rosemont.

"Building on 12 years of success in Chicago, Rosemont is the perfect destination to take 'Big Break' to the next level," said Piazza. "Joe's Live is a premiere performance venue and we are thrilled to partner with them and the village to find the best vocal talent in the Chicago area."

Open auditions for "Big Break" will be held at Joe's Live Rosemont Wednesday, July 12, and Wednesday, July 19, starting at 6 p.m.

Those interested in auditioning must register at bigbreakrosemont.com by July 18 at 11:59 p.m. During the audition, each participant will receive 30 seconds for an a cappella performance in front of "Big Break" judges including professional vocal coach and Who Knew Entertainment founder Kelli Ann MacCord Lotrich, professional drummer and vocalist of Chicago band "Mike and Joe," Aaron Streich and Modern Day Romeos lead singer Jim Wojdyla. The contestants of 2017's "Big Break's" will be selected after a special callback event Wednesday, July 26.

The competition will continue with weekly audience voting rounds at Joe's Live every Wednesday at 7 p.m. from Aug. 2 through Sept. 6. "Big Break" judges will critique contestant performances, although audience votes will determine whether or not a contestant is able to progress to the next round. Audience members interested in voting for "Big Break" contestants must be ages 21 and older and will receive voting wristbands upon entering Joe's Live.

A special "Big Break" finale event will take place 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13 on MB Financial Park's great lawn where audience members can enjoy live performances from the five remaining contestants along with food and beverage tents from MB Financial Park's restaurants. Guests will then vote to decide who will win the $10,000 grand prize.

For information on "Big Break," including audition registration and competition rules and regulations, visit bigbreakrosemont.com.