By Jennifer Champagne
Managing Editor
Twenty singers. Five judges. One packed downtown coffeehouse.
The fifth annual U.P. Voice Singing Competition returns to Gallery Coffee Co. on Thursday, Dec. 4, bringing one of the most energetic crowds of the holiday season — and some of the strongest vocal talent in the Upper Peninsula.
What started as a casual idea in 2019 has turned into a full-blown community tradition, according to event organizer Ana-Marija Dolaskie.
“As we were forming Gallery Coffee as a venue — a concert venue and a community-centered space — we came up with this idea to host local talent and showcase what we have,” Dolaskie said. “With Rekindle the Spirit being an annual thing, we thought what better night than having a captive audience right here in town? Watching this event grow year after year has been truly amazing.”
This year’s competition is stepping things up again. For the first time, U.P. Voice is a ticketed fundraiser supporting the Roam Community Foundation, the nonprofit Dolaskie co-founded to help Munising families through hard times “by providing a good time.”
Standing-room tickets are $5, and limited seated tickets are $10. Children under 12 are free.
“All proceeds go to support the community,” Dolaskie said. “We’re very community-focused, and we try to do that through arts and culture. The U.P. Voice really aligns with the mission of the foundation.”
The competition
Twenty finalists — selected from video submissions sent in this fall — will take the stage beginning at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Performers get three minutes, no props and can sing a capella or with a guitar, harmonica or mp3 track. No bands or karaoke setups are allowed.
“It’s important to me to have judges that can actually critique and compliment and know what they’re talking about,” Dolaskie said. “This is not your typical Simon Cowell make-fun-of-contestants thing. We have very, very talented contestants, and we want feedback that helps them grow as artists.”
This year’s five-judge panel includes last year’s U.P. Voice champion, Stina Jackson; Kenny P., a past contestant on NBC’s “The Voice”; Jessey Adams, a Nashville artist and local favorite with hometown ties; Keri Lee Pierson, an NMU music professor; and one additional judge who will be finalized this week.
Dolaskie said the talent level keeps climbing, with many performers returning year after year.
“Watching some of the same vocalists come back and seeing how they’ve grown is truly inspiring,” she said.
In celebration of the event’s fifth anniversary, organizers will award five prizes: $500 for first place, $300 for second, $200 for third, a $500 Golden Buzzer award and a $200 Fan Favorite award. All cash prizes this year are sponsored by local businesses.
Judges score contestants on a 10-point system, and the singer with the highest total takes home the top title — along with bragging rights as the U.P.’s next breakout voice.
Keeping it fun and respectful
U.P. Voice is held during Rekindle the Spirit, downtown Munising’s festive kickoff to the holiday season. The cheerful chaos of Dec. 4 is part of what makes the event special — but Dolaskie says the excitement can sometimes overwhelm performers on stage.
“Each year, we really look forward to people respecting the performers,” she said. “Yes, it’s a jolly event. Yes, it’s a fun time for our community. But you can give two minutes of your time to listen to each performer. Talk between sessions.”
Dolaskie notes that most of the chatter does come from a good place.
“People are excited,” she said. “They’re not trying to be disrespectful … but there are people in the seated section who really come to listen and enjoy the show.”
Dolaskie says the community’s enthusiasm, and donations, fuel everything the Roam Community Foundation does — from hosting school events to providing free hot chocolate for kids’ movie nights.
“Anytime the school asks us for anything in the venue — if the venue is free, here, have it,” she said. “It’s money that is directly impacting our children and our community.”
And as for the U.P. Voice? Dolaskie hopes this year continues the tradition of a packed house.
“We hope several hundred people come to support local artists,” she said. “The community really shows up.”