Hopeful music stars are gathering at Yonge-Dundas Square for the first day of Canadian Idol auditions in Toronto, an event that is taking a new approach compared to previous years.
Canadian Idol auditions usually attract thousands of people with dreams of making it big in the music business. For the 2007 auditions, the show's producers decided to make it a concert event.
Performing in an outdoor concert are American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee and the current Canadian Idol Eva Avila.
"Eva Avila (and) Katharine McPhee (are) living proof that dreams do come true," Susanne Boyce, President of Programming for CTV said recently.
Boyce added that "Idol makes superstars" out of people who were unknown before their appearance on the show.
"That next superstar might just show up in Toronto on April 14."
Auditions for this year's Idol program are being held at a nearby location. Rule changes this year have allowed potential contestants to audition while playing an instrument.
The shows producers say it has proven to be very successful during auditions across the country, with fully half of the competitors picked so far playing instruments for the judges.
"It's time that Toronto shows the rest of the country what it's made of in the talent department and brings some real contenders to the Canadian Idol stage this Summer," John Brunton, Canadian Idol's Executive Producer said.
"Pack up your instruments and join the party," he added.
Auditions started at 8 a.m and will continue throughout the day. The outdoor concert with Avila and McPhee started a half hour later.
Also performing is the Vancouver-based pop-punk band Faber Drive.
The Media Idol event, where local media personalities compete for top honours, is slated for later in the day.
As that happens, the auditions are also happening.
A second day of auditions is slated for Sunday. After this weekend, Canadian Idol moves to Oshawa on April 17 for another two full days of auditions.
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