Kristen Mazur
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Fans of singing competitions were treated to a spectacular performance Sunday afternoon at the Houlton Community Arts Center.
Open to singers age 12 and up, Houlton’s regional event featured a wide array of talent as 12 singers took to the stage. For many of the performers, appearing on the stage was nothing new as they have been there several times before, either from past competitions or high school plays.
Kristen Mazur of Linneus and Amira Abouleish of Houlton were both chosen by the audience to advance in this year’s competition.
Dropped from this year’s competition was the duo/group category. Instead, a new wrinkle was introduced, incorporating an elimination round similar to that seen on the NBC television program “The Voice.” After the audience selected the two singers to advance to the regional finale, each winner was then paired with a judge, who in turn selected another singer of his or her choice to compete in a sing-off at the finale.
At the finale, slated for Sunday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. at the Caribou Performing Arts Center, the audience will vote for the contestant in each pair who they felt was the best and that contestant will then give a solo performance in the final round for the 2014 Northern Star title.
Judges for the Houlton show were Tim McAfee, Tammy Goetsch and Julie DeMarr. Mazur was paired with judge McAfee, who selected Presque Isle’s Dan Rooney as her partner. Abouleish was paired with judge Goetsch, who added Hodgdon’s Nick Lunn to her team. Mazur and Rooney will sing-off in a duet, as will Abouleish and Lunn.
“We have a whole new twist this year and we have some great talent performing today,” said co-host Claudia Stevens, executive director for the United Way. “We will be bringing more people than ever to our finale. Things just keep getting better and better.”
Another twist to the event was the introduction of contestants from beyond southern Aroostook.
“We have taken the geographic boundaries off the show,” said co-host Jason Parent. “This allows you to see some new talent that you might not have seen before on this stage.”
Ballads were once again the predominant song type for contestants, with only a couple choosing more rock-driven songs.
Mazur drew a large ovation for her performance of “Midnight Train to Georgia,” made famous by Gladys Knight and the Pips in 1973.
Abouleish, who advanced to the regional finale last year as well, gave an elegant performance of “Angel,” by Sarah McLachlan.
Brandon Clark of Houlton, the 2013 Northern Star, performed two musical numbers as judges tallied the votes from the audience. Clark belted out a crooning version of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” by Queen and performed a duet with his friend Samantha Leone.
Amira Abouleish
Singers selected to advance from the Presque Isle show were: Megan Ouellette of Van Buren; Jay Nelson, Jamilynn Deschene and Justin Quinones, all of Caribou.
Selected to advance from the Fort Kent show were: Adam Ouellette and Indya Ouellette, both of Madawaska; Cady Hebert and Emily Marin, both of Fort Kent.
Also participating in the Houlton competition were:
• Robert Helstrom of Washburn, performing “My Way,” written by Paul Anka and performed by Elvis Presley.
• Aaron Pierlioni of Hodgdon, singing “How Do You Get That Lonely,” recorded by Blaine Larsen.
• Chris Sennett of Houlton, performing, “Here Without You,” recorded by 3 Doors Down.
• Peggy Tomah of Tobique, N.B., singing “Sweet Dreams,” recorded by Patsy Cline.
• Rev. Marc Fuller of Houlton, performing the traditional song “Old Man River.”
• Dan Rooney of Presque Isle, singing a self-composed tune “Take Me Back.”
• Lunn, performing “I Think About You,” recorded by Ross Lynch.
• Tad Hamel of Stacyville, singing “Drink A Beer,” recorded by Luke Bryan.
• Chuck Grimm of Houlton, performing a self-composed rap song “Weak and Worthless.”
• Nathan Cyr of Patten, singing “Whatever She’s Got,” recorded by David Nail.
All proceeds from funds raised at the door go directly to the United Way of Aroostook’s annual campaign. Since the United Way of Aroostook launched the original “Aroostook Idol” fundraiser, it has drawn more than 200 competitors to the stage. Northern Star generates between $25,000-$30,000 per year and has raised more than $200,000 to benefit agencies funded by the United Way in Aroostook County.
Admission to the finale is $10. For more information on the Northern Star competition, call the United Way of Aroostook at (207) 764-5197.
Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
CONFERRING — Judges for the Houlton Northern Star performance were, from left, Tim McAfee, Janet DeMarr and Tammy Goetsch.
