SEDF and Lee Cultural Council Present Inaugural Lee Idol 9/23-24

As part of the Lee, MA 2011 Founder's Day Weekend on September 23 and 24, The Student Educational Fund (SEDF) and the Lee Cultural Council (LCC) are presenting the first ever "Lee Idol", a contest of singers/musicians of all ages who live or work in Lee, MA. All entrants will have an opportunity to showcase their talent on the stage of the new Spectrum Playhouse at 20 Franklin Street in Lee on Friday, September 23 starting at 8pm. The finalists will be part of the finale concert on Saturday, September 24 at 8pm. The winning act will receive a $100 cash prize, donated by an anonymous donor. On Friday, three local celebrity judges will determine the top three finalists. On Saturday, the audience will choose the winner by secret ballot.

Council co-chair Bob Lohbauer says "The Lee Cultural Council is pleased and gratified to have a hand in what we see as the early stage of the Town of Lee's emergence as a center for the public display of creative energy and celebration of the arts. We're thrilled to be collaborating with SEDF and lending a hand to the 2011 Founder's Weekend."

"The Student Educational Development Fund's goal is to forge an alliance between students with Learning Differences and the greater Lee community," adds Michael McManmon, SEDF Founder, "This event integrates both together and will be lots of fun!"

SEDF and LCC thank the Lee Chamber of Commerce for including this inaugural 'Lee Idol' event as part of Lee's Founder's Day Weekend. Thank also go to Cutting Edge Video of Lee, MA, for providing sound equipment and technical services as a sponsor for the event.

HOW TO ENTER:
Entries must be made by Wednesday, September 21 at 5 PM. A maximum of 15 acts will be included. All acts must be appropriate for all ages. All acts must be able to sing at least two songs. Solo singers as well as singing groups are welcome to enter. Due to the technical set-up of the venue, only acoustic performances will be allowed. Singers are able to accompany themselves on their own instruments. For more information and to enter the contest, call Chris Collins of the Lee Cultural Council at 413.281.1662.

WHEN:
Friday, September 23 at 8pm-First Round
Saturday, September 24 at 8pm-Finale Concert

WHERE:
Spectrum Playhouse
20 Franklin Street, Lee, MA, 01238

TICKETS:
Free with a suggested donation of $5 per evening.
Proceeds go towards producing the event and supporting the missions of SEDF and LCC.

ABOUT SEDF:
The Spectrum Playhouse is a recently re-purposed church at the center of Lee: the former St. George's Episcopal Church. It is part of the Berkshire Visual and Performing Arts Center (BVPAC) project of the Student Educational Development Fund (SEDF), a not for profit 501 (c) 3 organization whose mission includes providing visual and performing arts opportunities for students with Learning Differences. www.sedfund.org

ABOUT LEE CULTURAL COUNCIL
The Lee Cultural Council supports public programs that promote access, education, diversity, and excellence in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences.