GREENFIELD — Wayne Addison threw down the gauntlet early.
“I happen to be the defending champion, and that’s all I have to say about that,” he boasted to the crowd.
Contestants, judges and emcees for the 2019 Psi Iota Xi Lip Sync War were gathered at the Wooden Bear for a pre-competition meet-and-greet.
Addison breezily — and with humor — sang his own praises, recounting his renditions of Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog,” Steve Martin’s “King Tut” and Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off” that propelled him to victory in the 2018 Lip Sync War.
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Addison will defend his title and bragging rights at the 2019 Psi Iota Xi Lip Sync War, at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St. against the formidable skills of several talented groups.
Representing the Hancock County Public Library is the League of Librarians, Stephanie Haines and Cody Flood. The latest addition to the line-up is Kathryn and the Vixens, fronted by Kathryn Ray and backed up by Stacey Havlin, Amy McIlynn and Katrina Greene. C.L. Ever — made up of CrazyLake actors Luke Agee, Trever Brown and Christine Schaefer — are returning to challenge Addison’s champion status.
Each group will be performing for a $500 prize to be donated to the non-profit organization of their choice: the League of Librarians will perform for the Friends of the Library; Kathryn and the Vixens will donate their winnings to Bentley’s Buddies; and C.L. Ever hopes to be handing over its prize money to KidsPlay, Inc. children’s theatre. Addison, a member of the Rotary Club, plans to donate his winnings to one of the non-profits competing in the Rotary Club’s Steak N’ Bake event the following weekend.
The trash talk and verbal challenges flew freely during the hour-long gathering. Stephanie Haines, overhearing Addison’s boasts, offered her pre-competition condolences for when the League of Librarians walks off with the trophy.
“That’s so cute,” Addison retorted.
Haines, outreach assistant at the library, shared the obstacles she faced in trying to persuade her fellow library staff members to join her on the League of Librarians.
“The only other extrovert on the library staff was busy that night,” explained Haines. “I went through the whole staff. Cody (Flood) said he would do it if I couldn’t find anybody else. Eight people later, I told him, ‘No one else wants to do it. Cody, you’re on.’”
The group recalled last year’s competition when NineStar’s David Spencer kicked two planters of mums off the edge of the stage during his rendition of “Monster Mash.” The comedic value of his stunt riled the crowd, but….
“They were supposed to be raffle prizes,” said event organizer and adviser for Psi Iota Xi, Katie Ottinger. “Fortunately, they survived the fall and we were still able to give them away.”
Judges for the event are Katelyn Colclazier, Melissa Ewald and Judge Scott Sirk. Colclazier, a Greenfield native, volunteers her time on the economic vitality committee for Greenfield Main Street. Ewald works for the Greenfield Chamber of Commerce. Sirk, a performer from last year’s competition (“I Got You, Babe”) felt his talents were naturally more suited to judging than performing.
Judges will score the contestants in three areas: 30 percent lip-sync precision, 30 percent creativity and 40 percent audience reaction.
Lip-sync precision is based on whether or not it looks like contestants are actually singing the songs. Contestants will receive a creativity score contingent on costumes, props and choreography. Audience reaction will also figure heavily in each performers’ score.
Tickets are still available for the Lip-Sync War for $10 (plus fees) at eventbrite.com, by searching “Lip Sync War.” Tickets will be $15 at the door.
A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $25. VIP tickets include early admission, a drink coupon and a guaranteed seat in the first three rows.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Psi Iota Xi service projects aimed a improving the quality of life in the community. Philanthropic priorities are speech and hearing, and art, music and literature.
No one in the gathering was too eager to spill the beans on their performance numbers for this year; all were tight-lipped about their choices, but there was a rumor floating around that Addison was considering “Baby Shark.” Keep your fingers crossed.
