Published: July 01, 2009 08:38 pm      

Next round of Superstar set

Seven Huntsville Superstar contestants took the stage of the Old Town Theatre for the last time Saturday, making way for the third round of competition July 4.

Twenty-five contestants are still in the contest, with at least seven of those likely to be eliminated this week.

“The second round went well,” event producer and host Paul Shiver said Tuesday. “The competition was certainly starting to heat up, and the contestants are very serious now.

“One thing the contestants always say is that there is a camaraderie developed backstage – that lots of friends are made,” he added. “But at the same time, they know it is a competition and they are all out to win it.”

Adding more excitement to this year’s competition is online voting, with videos of each Round 3 contestant posted on the show’s Web site at www.huntsvillesuperstar.com.

“The video clips will be posted on our site starting Wednesday,” Shiver said. “We have put a big emphasis on the online voting, which along with audience votes, are big factors in determining this year’s Superstar winner.”

With this week’s show falling on July 4, Shiver reported that a special Independence Day presentation was being planned for audiences.

“We have planned a very patriotic show with our own ‘fireworks,’” Shiver said. “And we will be celebrating indoors, in an air conditioned theater.

“Attending Huntsville Superstar will make a nice evening out for those who want to enjoy the Fourth in a unique way.”

Tickets for Round 3 of the 2009 Huntsville Superstar talent contest are $12.50 at the door and can be purchased online at www.huntsvillesuperstar.com.

The 2009 Huntsville Superstar winner will receive $1,000 cash award and a recording opportunity. Second and third place winners will receive $500 and $300, respectively.

Contestants performing this Saturday include: Aretha Horton, Huntsville; Kyle Lane, Athens; Brandi Barger, Coldspring; Jill Paulsen, Huntsville; Ashley Kiser, Huntsville; Huong Le, Huntsville; Richard Loveless, Trinity; Steven Lee, Huntsville; Orlando Velasco, Deer Park; Laertes Davis, Huntsville; Earnestine Smith, Huntsville; Ashley Cline, Huntsville; Chaunsea Dimaggio, Trinity; Michael Porter, Trinity; Lela Hightower, Huntsville; Ashlea Smith, Huntsville; Devan Clute, Huntsville; Heather Wiley, Conroe; Destinee Hedspeth, Huntsville; Shaniqua Green, Livingston; Kohl Neel, Beaumont; Ally White, Lovelady; Bobbi Larson, Huntsville; Omar Ramirez, Huntsville; and Austin Ainsworth.