WHO: Talented vocalists of all ages across Central Indiana interested in competing for cash prizes in four categories: Solo (under age 18), Solo (age 18+), Group (under age 18) and Group (age 18+)

WHAT: Care-oke competition to raise funds for United Way’s signature childhood literacy initiative, readUP. To be entered into competition, we ask that all participants commit to raising at least $250 ($500 for a group) on our easy-to-use peer-to-peer fundraising tool by September 22.

WHEN: Online vocal/video submissions are due by September 22 at 5 p.m. Our celebrity judges will choose 16 winners to compete live on stage at the Old National Centre on October 19, 2021.

WHERE: Deluxe Theatre, Old National Centre (502 N New Jersey St, Indianapolis, IN 46204)

WHY: Your support helps us train new mentors, stock school libraries, purchase supplies, and deliver books to students for continued at-home reading with family and friends.

Official Care-oke Contest Rules:

This competition is open to all ages. Participants do not need to live and/or work in United Way’s seven-county service area.

Deadline for submitting an entry and reaching the $250/$500 fundraising threshold is September 22, 2021.

Each entry must pay a $50 registration fee to be participate, which counts toward their total fundraising commitment.

Performers must use clean lyrics and have only an instrumental (non-vocal) backing.

Performances are limited to 4 minutes each.

The top performer in each category (soloist under age 18, soloist age 18+, group under age 18, and group age 18+) who receive the most votes/raise the most money will receive an automatic bid to perform in the finale on October 19. The remaining 12 performers will be selected by a panel of celebrity judges and announced no later than October 1.

Only performers who reach the $250 threshold (solo) or $500 (group) will be considered by the judges to perform in the finale for cash prizes.

All votes are secured with at least a $1 donation to United Way’s ReadUP tutoring program. One dollar is the equivalent of one vote. Voting is unlimited.

Performance categories may change based on the entries received, and all participants will be notified of any changes deemed necessary.

The interpretation of these rules is at the sole discretion of United Way of Central Indiana