The woman behind Starry Eyed - Queenstown's answer to Stars in their Eyes - is launching a new local talent show "but instead of imitation, we have the real thing", she says.
Organiser Margaret O'Hanlon said tickets for Songstars will be available from Monday. The show is described as "X-Factor and The Eurovision Song Contest combined".
Extensive auditions have been held and 12 musical artists from throughout Wakatipu, Southland and Otago selected to present their original songs to a live audience, which will vote for their favourite performance.
The celebration of original New Zealand music seemed set to become "one of Queenstown and the South Island's most popular events".
The entrants for the debut Songstars show are: Pearly McGrath (Bannockburn/Queenstown); Katy Anderson (United Kingdom/Queenstown); Peti Seiuli (Invercargill/Queenstown); Max Gunn (Queenstown); Katie McNeill (Dunedin/Queenstown); Ailsa and Lindsay Woods (Queenstown); James Rea (Tapanui); Thomas Brinsley (Arrowtown); Jazzmin Pearse (Athol); Maeve, Junior and Nina Kopa (Tapanui); and Sarah Foley (Queenstown).
"Since the final Starry Eyed show in 2007, people have been asking me when it will happen again," Ms O'Hanlon said.
"Well here it is, but instead of imitation, we have the real thing.
"This time the focus is on original talent, original artists, stars in their own right, not imitating mainstream.
"With the absolute success of UnderGround Productions' rock-opera, Rock and Roll Suicide we felt it was possible to create a competition for original artists who perform their own music."
The show would be staged on July 14, 15 and 16 at the Memorial Hall. The winner will be decided by a cumulative total of votes over the three performances and announced at the end of the final concert.
Tickets will be available from Ticketek from Monday.
