Movember Journal 2014: Day 3 – Movember Challenge Karaoke is Coming!
Movember is here, I have a little stubble above my upper lip, and I have good news!
The Movember Challenge Karaoke Toronto event page has been officially created and you are very invited!
On Thursday, Movember 20th at 9pm we will start the party at the Marquis of Granby (418 Church St.) and we’ll keep things going until 1am… or maybe even 2am.
If #MoChaKaTO is new to you, let me explain a little. In 2010, Sean and I were sitting at karaoke thinking about ways we could raise money for our first Movember campaign together. Out of that conversation came the idea for challenge karaoke. A night where people could pay to see their friends sing the songs that they picked for them. That 1st MoChaKaTO was held on a cold and rainy Tuesday, November 30th at Tequila Sunrise and we raised $500. We were super happy. And every year since then, we’ve grown!
In 2011 we raised $1116. In 2012 we raised $1680. And in 2013 we raised $2200.
Our 4 year total sits at nearly $5500, which makes us even happier than we were with $500 in our hands in year 1.
With the history out of the way, here’s how Movember Challenge Karaoke Toronto works.
When you walk into the Marquis of Granby you will want to go immediately to see karaoke host Jason Rolland to put your name in the rotation. If you wait to do that, you’ll be waiting longer for your chance to sing!
When Mr. Rolland calls your name for your turn to sing, make your way to the microphone in a timely manner with your $5 donation ready to put in the bucket.
Now the fun part… Challenges.
You’ve arrived at the bar, you’ve grabbed a drink, you’ve put your name in the rotation (or you haven’t, we’re not pushy) and you’ve found somewhere to be comfortable – awesome! Now the singing has started and one of your friends gets their name called, so what do you do? You yell CHALLENGE!
For a donation of $20 you can challenge your friend (or a stranger) to sing any song in the Jason Rolland library that you want (banned songs excepted, we’ll get to those in a minute) to hear. The key to a great challenge is picking a song that works with the singer. A song that they probably know (at least a little) and that they can sing (maybe) and that they can have fun with (definitely) is the way to go.
However, if the singer decides they don’t want to sing your challenge song, they can get themselves off the hook with a donation of $30. If this happens, you will get your $20 back to save for another challenge!
BANNED SONGS!
Jason Rolland has a list of banned songs and artists that includes Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Clay Aiken, Josh Groban and Celine Dion.
If you would like to sing one of these songs, or you would like to challenge someone else to sing them, the donation is $50.
If the banned song you want to sing/challenge is Celine… that donation is $100.
Every year we’ve had 1 singer bust out Celine Dion – this year we’re hoping for 2.
And please don’t let the $100 scare you away, you can pool your money together with friends to make the challenge happen. We are big believers in team work!
In addition to the singing, we will have a raffle that always includes a ton of fun prizes. And we’re working on another surprise that we think will be a ton of fun (and a good reason to donate your money) as well.
November 20th is just a couple weeks away – so check your calendar, clear your schedule, and put aside some cash because this is always one of the best karaoke nights of the year!
We can’t wait to see you. And we can’t wait for you to see our ‘staches!
Be awesome!
Movember Challenge Karaoke Toronto 2012!
creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.
