9th Annual Brooklyn Senior Idol Finals This Saturday Night

You’re not likely to run into Harry Connick Jr, but it’s still one of the best shows in town.

The final act for this year’s Brooklyn Senior Idol competition takes place Saturday night at Xaverian High School, where 11 finalists will compete for the $500 grand prize.

Brooklyn Senior Idol, now in its 9th year, is open to Brooklynites 50 years and older. Saturday’s finalists were selected in early September at auditions that drew more than 30 hopefuls, according to a press release from Senator Marty Golden’s office.

This year’s Senior Idol competition landed in hot water and almost had to carry on under a new name. FremantleMedia North America, the production company behind “American Idol,” sent a letter in June to Golden, the show’s co-host, asking that the word “Idol” be dropped from the competition. The order put only the name, not the future of the show, in question.

However, FremantleMedia later withdrew its request and signed a legal contract with Golden’s office allowing Brooklyn’s senior singing competition to continue using its name.

The finals for this year’s Brooklyn Senior Idol start at 7pm and tickets are $10 at the door. All ticket sale proceeds go to the music program at  Xaverian High School, whose jazz band greeted Pope Francis last week when he arrived at JFK airport.

Xaverian High School is located at 7100 Shore Road (handicapped accessibility available at the 71st Street door).

For more information, contact Golden’s office at (718) 238-6044.