‘World’s largest karaoke’ attracts seasoned singers and attempts to break Guinness record at Salt Shed

In many ways, Thursday’s free karaoke event at the Salt Shed fairgrounds was like any other you might see at your local bar.

There were the karaoke classics: Radiohead’s “Creep,” Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle” and Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” though the latter was performed in a goofy, spoken-word style by a guy in red, white and blue knee-high socks and matching sweatbands.

There was the singer who thrilled the crowd with a stunning rendition of Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” complete with someone blowing a fan through the singer’s hair for maximum drama.

But at this party, dubbed “The World’s Largest Karaoke,” the singers were positioned to perform for a potential audience of 5,000 people, attempting to break the Guinness World Record for a “free-form” karaoke event.

Timothy Hiatt/For the Sun-Times

A couple of hours into the event, which started at 5 p.m., the Salt Shed was still a long way from achieving that goal, with the crowds being fairly sparse. But the performers, many of whom were musicians and karaoke regulars, said they were thrilled, confident or simply got practice singing their hearts out on the big stage.

“It was amazing!” said Cassie Prokop, the star who sang the Celine Dion song. “I was waiting for that moment. I love karaoke. During the day I am a formal lawyer.”

Prokop, 36, of Printer’s Row, said she arrived early and signed up to sing several songs, including some by fellow divas Whitney Houston and Melissa Etheridge.

“My biggest fear was not being chosen tonight.”

Timothy Hiatt/For the Sun-Times

Before the karaoke show, singers could win a spot on stage by participating in “satellite” contests at local bars, including Carol’s Pub, Cafe Mustache and The Hideout. Others purchased $5 raffle tickets, with proceeds going to charities including Doctors Without Borders, Midwest Food Bank and Bandwidth Chicago. But most signed up in real time at the event and were informed by text message if they were selected to sing.

And the vocalists had plenty of opportunities to get some liquid courage at the venue’s multiple bars, including one that was right on stage.

“The inspiration behind (the party) is simply to create a community event that involves our customers and our neighborhood,” said Bruce Finkelman, managing partner of 16 On Center, which owns the Salt Shed.

Although Finkelman said he doesn’t do karaoke, he’s seen the sense of community it creates at Empty Bottle, another 16 On Center-owned venue.

“I’ve always thought it was a really amazing thing that people would come out and support other people who are breaking through that wall to get on stage,” she said.

There was plenty of camaraderie among the Salt Shed’s karaoke regulars. Singer Honorata Van del Sande said seeing familiar faces helped her during her performance of Laura Branigan’s “Self Control.”

“It’s the same people,” said Van del Sande, a longtime bartender at the popular karaoke spot Alice’s Lounge. “It was scary, but it was great.”

Some of the singers who took to the stage were also musicians, who said they use karaoke to hone their craft.

“For me, it’s a way to practice,” said Ricky Liontones, 38, of Pilsen, who sang “Welcome to the Jungle.”

“Sometimes if my band has a new cover we might do at a show, we’ll all go to karaoke beforehand to try out what it’s like to sing it and see how people respond.”

Timothy Hiatt/For the Sun-Times

Liontones also described the experience as “a release” from the stress of performing at a traditional concert.

“It’s fun to do karaoke because I don’t have to worry about whether people are going to buy my products or not,” she said.

Kyle Charls said taking the stage at Salt Shed has helped him as he prepares to finish his album.

“I do it to improve my personal confidence in singing and to feel comfortable being in front of people,” said Charls, 33, of Logan Square, who sang Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles.” “So this is probably the best thing I could have done.”

Like most traditional karaoke nights in dive bars, the Salt Shed event attracted a positive and supportive crowd, who cheered on the singers no matter how they sounded.

“The beauty of karaoke is that whether you have a good or bad voice, everyone wins,” says Liontones. “It’s all about how much fun you have.”