Erick Johnson | 11/5/2014, 2 p.m.
They have earned their title of champion by dethroning another with dazzling performances at the Lyric Live amateur competition at Overtown’s Historic Lyric Theater.
One of them Maylin Cuadra, the talented two-time winner who belts out Whitney Houston’s best love ballads, will bring her A-game against a pool of champions.They include a singing group who was struck with tragedy.
It will be an epic spectacle when the contestants face off at Lyric Live with its All Star Championship on Friday, Nov. 7 at the Lyric Theater, located at 816 NW Second
Ave. The champions show closes the season.
Special guest judges from the entertainment industry have been invited to provide feedback for the contestants,who will perform two songs this time. The $500 prize for first place will be the same amount as the regular season.
Since reopening in February after extensive renovations, Lyric Live has been held on the first Friday of every month. Hosted by local comedian Chello, contestants performed to live music performed by the Jody Hill and The Deep Fried Funk Band. Contestants who fail to please a usual critical audience are booed and escorted off the stage by the Bahamian Junkanoo band. The contestant with the best performance are given the loudest applause and crowned the winner.
This year’s seasons has produced six champions. Of the group, two contestants have won multiple times and are expected to be a force in this epic battle of the best.
One of them, Arsimmer McCoy, has won the competition three times, more than any Lyric Live champion this year. Cuadra, a cashier at Wendy’s in Kendall, has won the competition twice.
Also returning is Diamonds in a Ruff, which includes brothers Demetrious, Gregory and Markell Sams and Charles Coley. The group inspired spectators in May with Boyz II Men’s soulful ballad, “End of the Road.” It was a heartfelt performance that not only captured them a title, but was also a tribute a member’s brother, Marquis Sam, 20, who was killed in random gunfire just one week before the group was to perform on stage.
McCoy and Cuadra will pose a big challenge to Jai Rose, a local amateur singer and heavy favorite who received a loud, standing ovation with her robust vocals and powerful, passionate delivery.
Rose used these skills to beat then-defending champion and crooner Ronnie J. in October with “Lose to Win,” a version many spectators believe was better than the original sung by Rhythm and Blues Singer Fantasia Barrino.
The new season of Lyric Live will start in Feburary 2015.
For Friday’s show, parking is available in the lot on Northwest Second Avenue on the north side of the building. Tickets cost $10 each and parking is $2.