Hot bands & hot ladies

May 30, 2007

Union Street Station on the prowl for the best


Union Street Station plans on making this one “hot” summer. The popular entertainment venue in Traverse City is in search of the hottest bands in the region, along with the 12 hottest women. On Saturday, June 2, they will launch two contests: a battle of the bands and the search for their 2007 VIP Girls.
A collaborative effort by Union Street Station and Blink (a marketing company), the 2007 Battle of the Bands will be a summer-long search for the best the area has to offer. The collaboration plans a different approach than other battle of the bands competitions.
“We are inviting all bands in the area to register at noon on Saturday, June 2 at Union Street Station,” said Kate Van Ocker of Union Street Station. “They don’t need to bring a CD, or their equipment. They simply show up, fill out a one page application, and the first 30 bands to meet the criteria are in. To establish whether a band meets the criteria, the band will go through a 15-minute interview process with the selection committee.”

RULES & REGS
The criterion includes being established, having at least one original song, and all members must be over 21. Bands have to be able to set up and tear down quickly (10 minutes both sides), and a drum kit will be provided by North Star Productions to speed the process. Each band will perform three songs; they may be all-originals.

“We will also look at whether a band is bookable,” said Don Swan of North Star Productions. “We want to know they have a sense of seriousness to their music and that they have at least two sets of music under their belt.”
On Saturday night at Union Street, all 30 band names will be put in a hat. Bands must have one representative present for the “draft.” The first 15 bands will be in round one with the first five bands competing on Sunday, June 10, and each of the two remaining groups of five bands competing on the following Sundays. Each week, a panel of judges will select one band, and the top three bands will compete on Sunday, July 1.
“The winning band will get a three-song demo produced at North Star Productions, an opening slot on the Kenny Olson Music Stage during Cherry Festival week, and their music played on the WKLT Morning Show with Omelet,” said Van Ocker. “Everyone has a chance at winning because judges are from the industry, so bands may get discovered or get booked to play gigs.”
The second round will begin after the Cherry Festival with the same format for the final 15 bands. The winning band will receive the same prizes with a gig at Union Street at the end of summer.
“Our final judges include recording artist Will Ready, rock star Kenny Olson, bar owner and talent buyer David Van Ocker, music and entertainment promoter Dana Olson and a rock music journalist,” said Kate Van Ocker. “The qualifying rounds will have no cover charge so bands can fill the place up with their fans.”

YOU GO, GIRL
Running simultaneously will be the Union Street Station 2007 VIP Girls challenge. On each Saturday, ladies will be invited to the stage with judges selecting the “hottest” gal. Each of the next 11 Saturday nights a gal will be selected to form the 12 Union Street VIP Girls.
“This year our VIP Girls will be photographed professionally for our calendar,” said Van Ocker. “Plus, they get a Gold VIP card that gets them into any event for free. We also have a couple of outings and some promotions.”
Anyone is welcome to participate and there is no entry fee. To view last year’s VIP Girls visit www.unionstreetstation.net

For additional information on the Union Street Station Battle of the Bands competition, visit www.unionstreetstation.net to learn more about the challenge and the VIP Girls.