With the Olympics over, it's now time to cheer for your favorite artistic performers. The Academy Awards will be broadcast this coming Sunday night, but two days before, on Friday, March 5th, at 8pm in the Hopkins Center, you have the chance to determine who is the next Dartmouth Idol.

Now in it's third year, Dartmouth Idol 2010 is a singing competition, sponsored and produced by Dartmouth College's Hopkins Center for the Arts, in cooperation with the Office of the Provost. Open to undergraduate students at the College, the competition just completed a semi-finalist round with 16 Dartmouth students. Now there are only ix contestants left, and the audience in the Hopkins Center on Friday night will determine who is the next Dartmouth Idol.

How big a deal is winning?

Last year's idol, Michael Odokara-Okigbo '12, got to sing on Oprah Winfrey's summer cruise ship on the Mediterranean, and later performed at President Kim's inauguration. The winner this year gets a $500 cash prize, plus the opportunity to record a 2-song demo. Oh, and big-time bragging rights.

All of the vocalists on Friday night will be accompanied by a 10-piece band directed by Walt Cunningham, who also leads Dartmouth Gospel Choir. Each contestant will sing two songs -- one of their choice, and the other selection will by made by the Dartmouth Idol production team.

Tickets are very inexpensive: $3 for Dartmouth students, $6 for all other students, and just $12 for general admission.

Interested? Check out this website about the contest, and be sure to see the video highlighting this year's contest.