You know how there are club kickball, softball, dodgeball etc. leagues? Well imagine something like that for chorus and theatre nerds. Earlier this year, my roommate heard about a karaoke league starting in Baltimore. We've competed in three seasons since then.
Originating in DC, the league welcomes six teams of eight performers to a bar for ten consecutive weeknights to sing their hearts out against each other. Drinking is encouraged but not enforced. The first eight weeks are head-to-head matchups featuring two soloists and a group number with themes ranging from decades, locations, and gender-swap. It's then followed by semi-finals and finals. You might ask how that works with six teams, but you'll have to come out sometime to figure that out.
As a lover of karaoke and the spotlight, I couldn't pass up this opportunity. For me, it's kind of like that college athlete that never made it to the pros, so he waits in the park for a game of pickup basketball. Not everyone goes in with that mentally; most of the people there are just there to enjoy karaoke. Or at least that's how they start out.
While the league is meant to be fun and supportive, it's still competitive karaoke. There are gift cards, glory, and honor on the line. Rivalries form. Costumes and props are purchased. Mics are dropped! [Not really, they'll disqualify you for damaging equipment.]
While they don't have every song out there - I'm still waiting on some Janelle Monae (cough, cough) - the selection is still pretty choice. I've performed Super Freak, Call Tyrone, Luck Be A Lady, Used to Love You, Heaven on Their Minds, and Lose Control just to give you an idea of how diverse my repertoire - I mean, their library is.
Honestly, my favorite part of the karaoke league is the rivalry. The first season, my friends and I called ourselves Songs Against Humanity. Our biggest competition was Black and Purple Rain, the team led by the guy who told my roommate about the league. We had been floating around the top two spots all season, waiting for our opportunity to face off in the last round. Unfortunately, in the round prior, we were both knocked out by the sixth and fifth seeded teams. A moment like that reminds you to never underestimate your opponent. The first season ended up going to those gotdamn Honey Badgers.
The season following I decided I wanted to lead my own team, create a three way rivalry. We had enough attention seeking friends to make it work. My roommate's team The Basic Pitches ended up winning that season with their show-stopping Proud Mary number. There are tiny trophies littering our house to remind me of that every day.
But through the rivalries I've met very interesting people that I probably wouldn't have come across any other way. Artists, filmmakers, teachers, retired veterans, etc. I suppose this is how adults make new friends. I'm not sure if it's because of the league or because I'm older, but people five years or older no longer intimidate me. We all just fellowship as one. Don't get me wrong, my friends and I are definitely the youngest in the league, but it doesn't really matter. We still get our asses handed to us every now and then.
If any of this sounds appealing to you, I recommend you come out to Tin Roof on Tuesdays at 7pm. We'll starting our semi-finals for the 3rd season. And to toot our own horn, but my team MeloDEEZ NUTZ is pretty good this season. You can also check out United Karaoke's official website to see if they're in a city near you. The next season'll be starting soon. I'd love some new competition.
Word
*This is not a sponsored post. ...but I wouldn't mind if it became one.
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