A new TV show called ‘The X Factor’ will be holding auditions at Key Arena in Seattle on Wednesday, April 20th, and show Producers have asked us to spread the word.

Could YOU be this area’s next Yodeling Dominatrix? (if you don’t understand that reference, click here for a video explanation)

‘The X Factor’ is a singing competition show which pits contestants against each other. Contestants are aspiring pop singers drawn from public auditions. Produced by Simon Cowell, the “X Factor” of the title refers to the undefinable “something” that makes for star quality. The prize is usually a recording contract, in addition to the publicity that appearance in the later stages of the show itself generates, not only for the winner but also for other highly-ranked contestants.

“We’re looking for solo singers, girl groups, duos, boy bands or vocal groups,” reads a flier. “Maybe you and your friends have always wanted to form a group? Now is your time!”

The competition is open to everyone that is 12-years old (as of March 1, 2011) and above, with no age cap. Producers say that any type of music works – pop, rock, rap, country, R&B, alternative, hip-hop… you name it!

“This could be your first step to competing for the chance to win a $5 Million dollar recording contract with Sony Music,” they add. “We are only going to six cities, so make your plans now!”

REGISTRATION
To audition, you MUST register and pick up a wristband the day prior to the audition (Tuesday, April 19th). Those wishing to audition can stop by anytime within 24 hours prior to the audition day – starting at 6am. If you plan on bringing family and friends to your audition, they must register as well.

Everyone will be required to present a government issued photo ID in order to attend the audition; that includes friends and family. (ie: Drivers license, Passport, State ID, Military ID, Student ID).

For more information, please visit www.fox.com/thexfactor; you can also get more details via a toll free information line: 855-345-5678.

Here’s more info from a flier:

What are we looking for?
We’re looking for solo singers, girl groups, duos, boy bands or vocal groups. Maybe you and your friends have always wanted to form a group? Now is your time!

The competition is open to everyone that is 12 years old (as of March 1, 2011) and above, with no age cap. Any type of music works – pop, rock, rap, country, R&B, alternative, hip-hop… you name it!

Where are we going?
This could be your first step to competing for the chance to win a $5 Million dollar recording contract with Sony Music. We are only going to six cities, so make your plans now!

Simon Cowell wants to know if you've got the 'X Factor.'

• Los Angeles: Sunday March 27th – L.A Sports Arena
• Miami: Thursday April 7th – Bank United Center
• NYC / New Jersey: Thursday April 14th – The Prudential Center
• Seattle: Wednesday April 20th – Key Arena
• Chicago: Wednesday April 27th – Sears Centre
• Dallas: TBA – TBA

How does it work?
Registration: You MUST register and pick up your wristband the day prior to the audition. The registration is simple – you can stop by anytime within 24 hours prior to the audition day – starting at 6am. If you plan on bringing family and friends to your audition, they must register as well.

Everyone will be required to present a government issued photo ID in order to attend the audition; that includes friends and family. (ie: Drivers license, Passport, State ID, Military ID, Student ID)

Eligibility:
You must be a US citizen, or eligible to work freely in the US, and not currently under a recording contract.

Anyone younger than 18, that will be attending the auditions (auditioning or not) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Minors or those without a driver’s license, who are auditioning or supporters of those auditioning, may use a school ID or acceptable substitute (such as a yearbook page that includes a printed name with photo AND a birth certificate matching the name).

If the minor is too young to have any form of photo ID, then that minor’s parent or guardian should present a photo ID and the child’s birth certificate that includes the parent’s name with the child’s name on the certificate.

Audition
On the day of the audition, you need to arrive at the venue before 8am. Please prepare a verse and a chorus of 3 songs without tracks or instruments. Pick your song choice wisely as it should represent you as an artist. Whether you are a soloist or a vocal group, remember this is your time to shine, so make sure that you are well rehearsed and dressed to impress! There will be a long wait so prepare for the day with suitable snacks, drinks and dress appropriately for the weather. For more information, please visit our website at www.fox.com/thexfactor; Toll free information line: 855 345 5678.

If successful, you will need to be available the next day.

VIDEOS
To inspire you, here are some video clips of X Factor auditions that you DON’T want to emulate:

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Six students from Burien’s Puget Sound Skills Center will compete in an international Construction Challenge this Saturday (Jan. 15th) in Everett.

The competition occurs every three years and the Everett event is the only one happening west of Oklahoma. Over 35 teams are coming from all over the Pacific Northwest, California and Montana.

The Burien Puget Sound Skills Center is one of ten skills centers for high school students in the state of Washington.

“We are the oldest and first of the skills centers,” said Ken Pierson, Construction Technology Instructor. The Puget Sound Skills Center was founded in 1966.

“We are sending six students to the competition this Saturday, five seniors and one junior, two young ladies and four guys,” Pierson told The B-Town Blog.

“There is much more to the competition than the idea of hammers and nails,” said Sue Z. Hart, Seattle area Rally Leader and media contact for the Construction Challenge. “Team members use collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem solving to solve real life infrastructure problems and industry-related challenges.”

This year, teams will solve three challenges based on infrastructure issues. Teams will develop a transportation infrastructure, solve a water infrastructure problem to improve water quality, and present research on a critical local infrastructure issue.

The top 24 teams that advance from the regional rallies currently being held across the United States and Canada will compete at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG exposition this March in Las Vegas.

Saturday’s competition is a closed competition and is generally not open to the public. Students are not even allowed to consult with their teachers/advisors during the event.

“Although the construction industry is expected to create more than one million new jobs by 2012, the industry still faces a severe shortage of qualified workers to meet future needs,” Hart said.

The Construction Challenge is sponsored by Volvo Construction Equipment and Caterpillar and is a joint effort of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and Destination ImagiNation. More information is available at www.www.constructionchallenge.org.

Here are some videos of previous years’ competitions:

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Last Saturday (Aug. 21),

It was a lively, energetic night full of competitive dancing, and we found eight nine ten videos showcasing some of the best:

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The fourth annual “4 the Luv of It” B-Boy/B-Girl Hip Hop dance competition will be this Saturday, Aug. 21st at Burien Town Square Park from 6pm – 10pm.

Sponsored by the Good Foot Arts Collective and Burien Parks, this dance-off should be very lovely and entertaining.

Here are the details:

WHAT: 4th annual “4 the Luv of It” Hip Hop Dance Competition.

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 21st from 6pm – 10pm.

WHERE: Burien Town Square Park, located at 400 SW 152nd.

INFO: Here’s a poster:

According to their website, here’s some info about the Good Foot Arts Collective:

History
Louie and May Praseuth founded The Good Foot Arts Collective (formerly ‘Performing Arts’) Organization in the summer of 2005. They saw the need for a performing arts organization that would target the urban community and at-risk youth to share a positive message through the culture of Hip Hop and its performing arts arenas. Young people in the urban community need to find a way to relate their lives and experiences to tell their stories and be heard; the sub culture of Hip Hop is the most prevalent outlet in this community.

The desire is for The Good Foot to create a place through different activities (classes, gatherings, events, etc.) where young people can have the freedom to share their talent and experiences through various forms of art, but also be given the opportunity to hear positive life messages and mentorship that will benefit their lives.

In June of 2008, The Good Foot Arts Collective officially became Non-Profit 501(c)3 under Fiscal Sponsorship through The Allied Arts Foundation of Seattle Washington.

Mission
The Good Foot Arts Collective engages the community and youth with positive life messages through the arts.

Vision
Transforming lives through healing, hope and love in the community, the city and the world.

Apparently the contracted skate board ramp provider is unable to um, actually provide the ramps, so instead of scramble for a new provider, it’s been canceled.

Here’s some official word from Burien Parks’ Gina Kallman:

Oh no!  Last minute change at the Wild Strawberry Festival! The skate board ramps for the competition are missing in action, so we are so sad to announce we need to cancel the skate comp this year.  But the good news is that we have so much other amazing activities at the event!  B-Town Bike Fair, Trapeze artists, great music, demos, Discover Burien Car Show, and more!  The skate comp will be back next year!

Teens…were you going to check out the skate comp on Saturday?  Check this out instead:

The Cabiri performance troupe, hosting the amazing Trapeze Rig on Saturday, teaches aerial dance for teens and  adults and will be offering free samples of their trapeze classes at the festival on Saturday. Teens and adults are invited to stop by Daedalus Trapeze Rig and sign up for your free trapeze lesson with their expert  instructors throughout the day. The Cabiri look forward to flying with you!

PREVIOUSLY: Despite being moved from the old community center and its built-in cement skatepark, Burien’s revamped Wild Strawberry Festival will have a skate competition this year after all, utilizing a portable facility.

We’ve got some great sk8ers around B-Town, so this year’s contest should be right up there with previous ones, chock full of sick, gnarly grinds, ollies, kickflips, air and perhaps even a fakie or three.

The skate competition is scheduled for Saturday, June 19th at 1pm with registration at Noon. There’s a $5 registration fee, and you can register the day of the event at the skate tent near SW 150th and 5th Ave SW (on the old B/IAS lot).

A registration form (download here, PDF file) must be completed and signed by an adult prior to competing.

There will be three Divisions:

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

Here are the rules:

1. Riders WILL be disqualified for interrupting another rider’s run.
2. Handle all property and equipment safely and properly.
3. No vulgar, offensive, or derogatory language.
4. Helmet required
5. Have FUN!

Performance of the rider will be judged in the following three categories:

• Consistency
• Technicality
• Style

Each contestant will get two 1-minute runs.

Contestants will be judged and scored on each run then totaled for a final score after both runs.

More information on the Wild Strawberry Festival, including schedules of events, is available here: www.burienstrawberryfestival.org.

To warm you up for this fun event, here’s a video from last year’s competition:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Amanda Schiripo (in red) presents the 1st place prize to Jagger's human.

Story & Photos by Michael Brunk

Last Thursday’s Farmers Market saw Burien’s sexiest new models strut their stuff in Town Square Park. Sleek, sensual, and um… furry. With four legs. That’s right; it was a doggie fashion show!

The brainchild of Puget Sound Skills Center student Amanda Schiripo, the event was the culmination of her senior project. Amanda worked with local businesses to obtain prizes for the winners, and money raised through her effort went to benefit three local non-profits; Puget Sound Rescue, Seattle Humane Society and Animals First Foundation.

When the competition was over, Jagger came out on top with Riley and Rusty taking second and third place honors.

Amanda said she chose this project because, “I like animals and it sounded like fun!” That seemed just as true for the dogs and their owners who participated.

Here are additional photos taken by B-Town Blog photographer Michael Brunk.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Don’t forget – the Burien Farmers Market continues on Thursday, May 13th from 11am – 6pm; come on by, find our booth and say hi!

Last Friday night (Mar. 5), the Cove to Clover race organizers held a “Student Limerick Throwdown” contest for area students at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub. Each school in the Highline School District was eligible to submit one entry, with the winner earning $500.

If you haven’t seen the snake posters around yet, the Cove to Clover is a 5k fundraiser run for the Highline Area Food Bank, and it takes place this Sunday, March 14th beginning at Noon at the Normandy Park Community Club (full details here, including how to register).

The winning entry was selected by an “Official Limerick Selection Panel” composed of three non-partisan judges – Normandy Park Councilman Shawn McEvoy, Normandy Park Mayor George Hadley and “A Place for Pets” Owner Kevin Foxen. The winner of the competition was Marvista Elementary 4th 5th Grader Molly Marquis, whose entry we publish below:

The snake is back and we all cheer.
Cove to Clover is finally here
Tiny leprechauns dance
in their jiggly pants.
The race ends with lots of rootbeer!

Marvista decided to give the $500 winnings directly to Molly’s classroom to spend any way they want (with help from their teacher, Mrs. Brossard).

Other schools representing in the throwdown included Bow Lake, Gregory Heights and St. Francis.

Molly’s winning entry will also be read aloud to inspire runners immediately prior to the 5k race start, which is this Sunday, March 14th at Noon – full race details are available here.

Every year, Members of Congress are allowed to display one piece of artwork by a high school student from their district in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

Congressman Adam Smith, who represents Washington’s 9th Congressional District (which includes Burien), is holding an annual judged art competition to select which local art receives this honor, with a deadline of April 9th.

The selected student will win prizes and be invited to attend the national reception for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 24, 2010 in Washington, DC.  two round-trip airline tickets are donated for travel to DC.  The winning entry will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

Prizes also include a scholarship to the Savannah Collage of Art and Design.

If you have any questions or want to receive electronic updates about Rep. Adam Smith’s Congressional Art Contest please contact Ms. Debra Entenman   (253) 593-6600 or email: Debra.Entenman@mail.house.gov.

For contest guidelines, please download the forms from Adam’s website here.

2010 Congressional Arts Competition:

The Congressional Arts Competition allows each Member of Congress to display one piece of artwork, created by a high school student in their district, in the Capitol for one year.

Entries for the 9th Congressional District Art Contest are due by 5:00 PM on Friday April 9, 2010. All submissions should be sent to:

Congressman Adam Smith
2209 Pacific Avenue, Suite B
Tacoma, Washington 98402

Additionally, during the month of April, most entries will be on display at Tacoma Art Museum (1701 Pacific Avenue).  However, please be advised that due to space limitations it may not be possible to display all entries.

The winner of the competition will be announced at the Art Exhibition and Reception on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 1:00 pm at The Tacoma Art Museum.

The winning student will win prizes and be invited to attend the national reception for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 17, 2010 in Washington, DC.  Three round-trip airline tickets are donated for travel to DC.  The winning entry will be displayed in the Cannon tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year.

2010 Congressional Art Competition Guidelines:

The competition is open to high school students only. Exceptions will be made for schools that have 7th through 12th grades on one campus. Each Member’s office can choose whether or not to include 7th and 8th grades in the art competition if there are schools in its district that fit these criteria. Additionally, official resources are to be used only to the extent authorized by the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

In order to allow artwork to hang in the Cannon Tunnel in the U.S. Capitol, the following restrictions are enforced:

• Artwork must be two dimensional;
• Each piece can be no larger than 28”x28”x 4” (28 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 4 inches deep) including the frame. Artwork cannot weigh more than 15 lbs;
• Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo (not the student’s own), painting, graphic, advertisement, or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing);
• Artwork must arrive in Washington by May 24, 2010 for inclusion in the exhibition.
• Artwork will hang in the Capitol for the entire year of the exhibition and cannot be returned to the students earlier. Students should, therefore, submit artwork they will not need for other purposes.
  

  Last year's Congressional art contest winner Arunan Mukphrom with Congressman Adam Smith at his office in Washington DC. The winning artist and their family were invited to Washington, D.C. to see their artwork hung in the Capitol.

Artwork accepted mediums are as follows:

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
• Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers
• Collage: must be two dimensional
• Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
• Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
• Computer-generated art
• Photography

Paper Work:

A typed and securely affixed large label must be applied to the back of each piece. Also provide a typed copy of the Student Release form, signed by both the teacher and the student, must be attached to the back of the artwork to certify the originality of the piece.

The winning artist’s student release form along with the Member Approval form should be sent to DC via fax to 202.225.3012, attn: 2010 Art Competition, as soon as you have chosen a winning artwork .

Release forms and Member Approval forms must be received by May 28th. This will allow us to determine if more information is required from the student before actually receiving the artwork.

The final decision regarding the suitability of all artwork for the 2010 Congressional Art Competition exhibition in the Capitol will be made by a panel of qualified persons chaired by the Architect of the Capitol.

Artwork must adhere to the policy of the House Office Building Commission.

In accordance with this policy, exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed.

It is necessary that all artwork be reviewed by the panel chaired by the Architect of the Capitol and any portion not in consonance with the Commission’s policy will be omitted from the exhibit.

Framing Guidelines:

High School students in Washington's District 9 are eligible.

Framing guidelines apply only to the ONE winning artist/artwork that will be sent to Washington, DC.

All artwork must be framed. Frames should be kept as simple and sturdy as possible.

Metal frames are recommended. No “snap on” frames with glass are to be used.

All artwork must be protected by Plexiglas or glass. Plexiglas is preferred. If glass is used, special packing and shipping arrangements are encouraged to ensure that the work is not damaged if the glass breaks.

All works, including frame, should be no larger than 28 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, to the outside of the frame, and 15 lbs. in weight. Please double check the size before sending the entry to Washington, DC. Due to wide participation of Member offices, framed work larger than the specified dimensions will be turned away.

Matting can enhance or detract from a work of art and should be carefully prepared.

Use sturdy picture hangers on the back of the frame. Two sturdy eye hooks should be attached at the top right and left sides of the back of the work for hanging in order to prevent the work from leaning forward or hanging unevenly. Do not put wire between the hooks for hanging; these will be added when the artwork is hung in the Capitol.

Do not attach labels, ribbons, etc. to the front of the piece or underneath the glass or Plexiglas.

If the artwork is abstract in design, please indicate on the backside which side is “up” with arrows.

As directed by the House Oversight and Standards of Official Conduct Committees, each district winner is responsible for framing his or her own entry. Any hardship case should be assisted at the district level; works can no longer be framed by the Architect of the Capitol.

A typed copy of the Student Information & Release Form must be securely attached to the back of the artwork.

More information on this art competition is available at Adam Smith’s website.

The Museum of Flight is holding an Engineering Fair this weekend, and the one event that stood out to us was the 15th Annual Popsicle Bridge Contest, which is scheduled to take place Saturday, Feb. 13th from 8am to 5pm.

High School engineering students will be busy creating sturdy (and perhaps not-so-sturdy) bridges made entirely of Popsicle sticks and white glue, which to us sounds like a lot of fun (especially if they have to eat a lot of Popsicles beforehand to prepare).

Here are the details:

WHAT: Engineering Fair & the 15th Annual Popsicle Bridge Contest

WHEN: Saturday, Feb 13th from 8:00am-5:00pm

WHERE: William M. Allen Theater at the Museum of Flight, located at 9404 East Marginal Way South in Seattle; Phone: 206.764.5720

INFO: From the Museum of Flight’s website:

The Younger Member Forum of the American Society of Civil Engineers will put on a competition of bridges built using only Popsicle sticks and white glue. Each year teams of high school students from local schools build bridges that are strong, efficient, as well as aesthetically pleasing. The bridges will be judged and then tested to failure with a hydraulic press. Be sure to be in the room as each bridge snaps and broken Popsicle sticks fly everywhere. At 12:00 noon the winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded.

In the Museum’s Side Gallery, the Puget Sound Engineering Council will celebrate the annual National Engineers Week with an Engineering Fair. Local chapters of national societies representing the entire span of engineering disciplines will staff booths all day where those interested in engineering careers can learn more about the exciting opportunities available. Several university engineering departments and student clubs will also be represented.

Here’s a video about the Popsicle bridge competition:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Burien resident Tom Nelligan will be channeling Elvis this Friday (Jan. 8th) when he returns to the 13th annual Seattle Invitationals, the contest to find the area’s best amateur Elvis tribute artist!

Tom has lived in Burien for years and is a local painting contractor – but on the side, in his heart-of-hearts, he’s a hip-swivelin’, pelvis-shakin’ Elvis Tribute Artist!

He’ll be “leaving the (Burien) building” this Friday night to perform at the Seattle Invitationals, hoping to take home the top prize by singing the crowd favorite “I Got A Woman.”

Here are the details:

Rockabilly Queen and Burien resident "SWEETPEA" poses with Tom Nelligan and Burien native Marlow Harris as Priscilla.

WHAT: Seattle Invitationals – The search for the new amateur King of Rock and Roll, featuring Burien’s own Tom Nelligan!

WHEN: Friday, January 8th at 8pm (Elvis’ 75th Birthday!)

WHERE: Club Motor, located at 1950 First Ave. S. in SODO, Seattle

COST: Tickets are $12.00 in advance & $15.00 at the door; buy tickets online here.

INFO: From their flier:

That’s right, the thirteen-year old “mother of all Seattle amateur musical contests” is back in style for 2010…

On The King’s Birthday, Friday January 8th 2009, this beloved Seattle institution returns to Seattle and TO beckon impersonators from near and far to represent just what “The King” really means to them!  There is only one place in Seattle each year where you can see thirty different impersonators in full hip-gyrating, fried Chicken-eating and swooning action… You’ll probably even see his wife Priscilla, manager Colonel Tom Parker and even Red West, The King’s alleged best friend in the crowd or on stage… it’s all at the Seattle Invitationals !

Each Amateur performer in attendance will tackle one of the Kings many personas: the innocent and magnetic country boy, the hip-swinging rockabilly superstar, Army Elvis, the Hollywood playboy, the devout gospel singer, or the diamond-studded, gold-sun glassed Vegas crooner. Each impersonator will get one chance to show what he (or she) is made of – a single shot to perform a song, in costume, backed by the fabulous Kentucky Rain band!

A panel of celebrity judges and an audience clap-o-meter decide on who will be crowned The King of the Seattle Invitationals…

Live Music!  Comedy!  Over 20 professional and amateur Elvis Tribute Artists!

Judges include VFTA (Vern Fonk Tribute Artist) Robert Thielke, Rockabilly Queen Sweetpea, Priscilla and The Colonel!

Hosted by Seattle comedian Nicole Lucas, with special Guest Appearance by Robert Washington, winner of Image of Elvis contest in Memphis!

Opening by THE KINGS, female-fronted Elvis tribute band.

Starring THE KENTUCKY RAIN BAND!

More information at http://www.SeattleInvitationals.com

And here’s the best video we could find from a previous Invitational, with KING-TV’s Jim Dever doing his Elvis:

Click here to view the embedded video.