DC Gets Competitive Karaoke

Karoake. It’s getting competitive in the Nation’s Capital.

“I’m a huge, tremendous fan of the sport of karaoke,” says District Karaoke Founder Jesse Rauch.   Sport?  “Well, yes,” he insists.  “It’s a sport because it involves training and competition.” And a new karaoke competition introduced by Rauch – entertaining for the singers as well as spectators – is tuning in to the take over DC.

The idea, which started as an informal Ward v. Ward throwdown at a venue on 8th Street NW, has now been legitimized as a ‘League’ after putting forth a set of rules, establishing scoring criteria and starting to take on new teams of crooners for a ten-week sporty spectacle at Policy starting February 8.

How will it work? Teams of participants will be scored in three categories: Sing It (musicality), Bring It (stage presence and performance), and Schwing It (overall appeal and personality) as audiences vote on a 1-5 scale for the each groups’ weekly trio of selections.  (Remember, there is a Karaoke Kill list of songs not permitted — the offensive, overlong and overdone are prohibited… and while it’s not on the Do Not Sing list, we recommend you not butcher Rauch’s current fave, “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.”  He may not be singing, but he is scoring!)

*And there (may be) more!  Rumor has it the winners could receive a CD recording contract.