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BK SINGS
The sounds of Brooklyn have
always been a part of American
music. Our most renowned musicians
— Barbra Streisand and the
Beastie Boys, Jay-Z and Pat Benatar,
Neil Diamond and Biggie Smalls —
have defined popular music for generations.
To build on this legacy, Borough
President Adams wanted to provide
a stage for every amateur singer in
Brooklyn to perform. In April, at The
Way Station in Prospect Heights, he
launched BK Sings, a first-of-its-kind
borough-wide karaoke competition
to find Brooklyn’s best amateur singers.
“So you think you can sing…well,
we’re about to find out!” said Borough
President Adams. “Karaoke gives
amateur singers near and far a shot
at stardom; a few have even become
famous through ‘American Idol,’ ‘The
Voice,’ and YouTube. More than anything,
karaoke is a community — a
chance to gather at a neighborhood
joint and cheer on friends, old and
new, as they take on the greats. Here
in Brooklyn, we sing with many voices
— we are the home of Carole King
and Barry Manilow, of Maxwell and
Norah Jones. I’m proud to crown the
first champion of BK Sings, adding
their name to our borough’s first-rate
musical marquee.”
More than 300 singers participated
in BK Sings at locations across
Brooklyn. The winners from each
location were narrowed down to
10 finalists advancing to the grand
finale, held on Sunday, June 12th
at Hill Country Barbecue Market in
Downtown Brooklyn.
After an evening of extraordinary
performances by Brooklyn’s most
talented karaoke singers, the judges
reached their verdict. Christine
Thomas of East Flatbush, who performed
“And I Am Telling You” by
Jennifer Holliday, was crowned the
champion of BK Sings, receiving
a karaoke machine, $500, and an
opportunity to sing at MCU Park in
Coney Island.
Borough President Adams awarded
a trophy to Thomas, as well as
to second place finisher Hadfield
Weekes of Canarsie, who sang “Turn
Back the Hands of Time” by R. Kelly
and received $250 and a tablet computer,
and third place finisher Lisa
Diamond of Midwood, who sang “I
Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston
and received $100 and dinner for two
at Suede Restaurant in East Flatbush.
“I was amazed to win the contest
— amazed and elated,” said Thomas,
who entered BK Sings at NY Tracks
Café in Flatlands. “There are many
very talented people in Brooklyn, and
I had hoped to place in the competition.
To win the contest was a great
joy. I am excited to sing at MCU Park.
I have always wanted to perform
before a wide audience, and now I
have that opportunity.”
Photo Credit: Erica Sherman/Brooklyn BP’s Office
Christine Thomas celebrates her victory in Borough President Adams’ BK Sings karaoke competition
on Sunday, June 12th at Hill Country Barbecue Market in Downtown Brooklyn.
Photo Credit: Stefan Ringel/Brooklyn BP’s Office
A contestant belts out Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” at The Way Station in Prospect Heights during
Borough President Adams’ BK Sings karaoke competition.
Participating
Locations in
BK Sings
• Three Jolly Pigeons, Bay Ridge
• Brooklyn Beso, Bedford-Stuyvesant
• Therapy Wine Bar, Bedford-Stuyvesant
• Blue Agave Restaurant Bar, Bensonhurst
• Ooh La La Lounge and Bar, Brownsville
• Mi Sueno Restaurant, Bushwick
• Brooklyn Wine Yard, Clinton Hill
• Rustik Tavern, Clinton Hill
• Two Steps Down, Clinton Hill
• 40 Knots Bar, Columbia Street Waterfront
• Essence Bar & Restaurant, Crown Heights
• Q’s Tavern, Crown Heights
• Footprints Café, Coney Island
• Hill Country Barbecue Market,
Downtown Brooklyn
• Footprints Café, East Flatbush
• NY Tracks Café, East Flatbush
• Round 2 Café, East Flatbush
• Fusion East, East New York
• D’Savannah Bar & Lounge, Flatbush
• Lagos Lounge, Flatlands
• Mo’s Fort Greene, Fort Greene
• Shenanigans, Kensington
• BK9 Restaurant, Park Slope
• Woodland Bar and Grill, Park Slope
• 333 Lounge, Prospect Heights
• Eve’s Lounge, Prospect Heights
• The Way Station, Prospect Heights
• Red Karaoke Lounge, Sheepshead Bay
• Freddy’s Bar and Backroom, South Slope
• Alligator Lounge, Williamsburg
BROOKLYN NEWS