Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Feb. 17, 2025 – Get ready for the ultimate karaoke night as The Foundation of Arts (FOA) hosts its first community-wide Extreme Karaoke Battle.
This public event will take place on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in The Forum Theater in downtown Jonesboro. It serves as a fundraiser for the FOA, with the money raised benefitting the various outreach programs that the FOA offers.
These include the LEAP program, an art and theatre classes for adult clients at Abilities Unlimited; Pay What You Can Performances; Tuition Assistance for families unable to afford FOA art, dance and theatre classes; and FOA’s Educational Enrichment Series, private matinee performances for area school field trips at a reduced rate.
FOA Marketing Manager Meridith Pierce said the foundation saw the competition as a fun way to promote community involvement while raising funds for programming.
“We love all things performance art around here, so why not karaoke,” she said. “With contestants representing various organizations and businesses from all over Jonesboro, we can’t wait to showcase their best karaoke skills.”
With this being the first competition, Pierce said no fundraising goal was set.
“Once we host this first one, we will be able to gain more exposure for the event, then gauge and adjust for next year to aim for even bigger,” she said.
While admission is free, it costs $1 to vote for your favorite contestants. People can vote an unlimited number of times, with pre-event voting opening Feb. 24.
“We will open up our online voting ahead of the event for those who may not be able to attend but still want to support a certain contestant and then voting will remain open throughout the event, both online and in person,” Pierce said. “Votes will be tallied at the end of the night and the winner will be announced live on stage. The Grand prize is two 25-26 FOA season ticket passes and a plaque, plus bragging rights.”
Registration for contestants closes Feb. 24 at 5 p.m., with voting beginning shortly after. Contestants will be announced on the Foundation of Arts Facebook and other social media.
“We still don’t know the final count [of contestants] right now with people still inquiring and signing up, but the final count should be around a dozen acts,” Pierce said. “We have also secured a group from First Community Bank, Karleigh Anderson & Abigail Earley from Valley View Jr High Choir, Andrew Tippitt with the Jonesboro Fire Department, Suzanne Faught at International Studies Elem., Cory Epps from Central Baptist Church, and Bethania Baray-Harrison from Jonesboro Unlimited.”
Other acts listed on Facebook so far, include Skeeter Nash, on-air talent for 104.9 The Fox with the Jonesboro Media Group; Katie Edlemon, the Westside Elementary assistant principal; Brian Nobles, a downtown artist, musician and business owner of The Rec Roo; Cory Epps, a lead worship pastor from Central Baptist Church.
Contestants can be a solo, duet or small group. The entry fee is $25 per act and competitors will choose/prep their song beforehand. The FOA will provide the staging, lyrics, and light show.
“This is intended to be a fun, relaxed event,” Pierce said. “We want folks to enjoy themselves and definitely not take it too seriously. We hope the performers ham it up and that audience members make fan clubs and cheer as loud as possible for their contestant. This is all for a great cause, serving as a fundraiser for the Foundation of Arts Outreach.”
Contact Pierce via email at meridith@foajonesboro.org for all the details.