The public gets a chance to watch the "most prestigious voice competition in North America" this Sunday with the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions Grand Finals Concert. Tickets are still available for the 3 p.m. event which features eight aspiring opera singers—selected from nearly 1500 who were heard during auditions across the U.S. and Canada—performing with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra—and in front of "opera company executives, artist managers, music critics, and other opinion-makers of the music world." more ›

Yesterday, for the 23rd year in a row, musicians gathered at Grand Central Terminal to audition for a chance to perform for free in the Big Show: The NYC Transit System. Although it's legal to perform in the subway system (in accordance with certain rules), try telling that to a transit cop. (We have.) But when you've got an official Music Under New York [MUNY] banner, the sky's the limit. As one hopeful told the Post, "It means the cops won’t chase you away or ticket you." MUNY approval also means prime real estate. more ›

The Rockettes are still kickin' after all these years. They first took the stage at Radio City Music Hall in 1932, and have had a rotating cast since. Yesterday some new girls tried out for the line at their annual audition, where just 20 spots are available and around 500 showed up to fight for them. One 22-year-old told the Daily News, "This is one of those things: you see them when you're young and say, 'I'm going to do that one day.' It's a childhood dream." more ›

Do you have a silky-smooth voice that sounds great filtered through static, feedback, and screeching train brakes? Then this could be your big, um, break: NYC Transit has allocated funds to expand their Dedicated Announcers Program, which broadcasts announcements through individual sections of the subway system containing between four and 22 stations. And the subway's customer communications director, Termaine Garden, actually seems to believe these announcements are intelligible: "We look for professional voices to make professional sounding announcements. Our goal is perfection." A noble pursuit, but how about a little mediocrity first—with all the garbled static, most of these announcements make as much sense as a Sonic Youth feedback jam. Currently 33 announcers cover 15 posts throughout the system, and 14 more are going to be hired soon. After the Daily News reported on the "elite group" yesterday, some readers even showed up at the MTA building to try auditioning. One hopeful, Anthony Paterson, a 55-year-old unemployed chauffeur from Long Island, explained, "I've been told by many people I have great voice." We hope he gets it, and look forward to not hearing a word he's saying. more ›

Songwriter and film director Joseph Brooks was charged with a 91-count indictment yesterday for using his status as a onetime-Oscar winner to lure women with dreams of stardom into his apartment so that he could allegedly rape and sexually assault them. Brooks, 71, primarily used craigslist to advertise parts in "his next movie" that led to sexual assaults on at least 11 women at his apartment on East 63rd Street, mostly over the last two years. An investigator told reporters, “The Oscar was used as a prop. This could be you, this could be you holding this Oscar. If you do what I say.” more ›

Many model wanna-be's—those under 5'7" and between 18 and 27 years old—are lining up outside the Hotel Pennsylvania for America's Next Top Model's second attempt at NYC auditions (the first go-around resulted in a panicked riot). This time, organizers made an effort to work with the NYPD this time as well as more tightly manage the process: One hopeful told the Daily News, "This is amazing. We know where to stand... [Last time] I got shoved, trampled on, and left with my leg all black and blue, but I was most disappointed because I never had the opportunity to see the judges. I couldn't stop crying." But another wasn't happy about Mother Nature's rain showers, "Great, now I look like a freakin' crack addict." more ›

Consider this a reminder (or a warning?): America's Next Top Model will attempt a second open casting call at The Penn Plaza Pavilion located at the Hotel Pennsylvania (401 7th Avenue, 18th Floor) tomorrow. There are extensive rules, after last month's audition essentially turned into a riot; according to the Daily News, "This time, cops met with organizers and will station officers outside to help keep order." The cops are also assigning a detail to the event. Remember: "No lining up overnight and no lining up prior to 6:00am. Registration will begin at 7:00am" and "Be courteous to others around you." (The rules and other details.) more ›

After the last month's open casting call for America's Next Top Model Ladies turned into NYC's Current Hot Mess, ladies under 5'7" will get another chance to show they can smile with their eyes. The CW announced that a "final open call" for Cycle 13 contestants will be held , but outlined a number of rules—and didn't reveal where the auditions would be just yet. more ›

Forget The Dark Knight – the hype is already giving way to disappointment. It’s time to start getting really, really excited about Spider-Man the Musical, which will feature a score by U2’s Bono and the Edge and direction from Julie Taymor of Lion King fame. In May, Marvel Executive Peter Cuneo announced that the show could open as soon as next year, with Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood – Taymor’s stars in Across the Universe – playing Peter Parker and Mary Jane. more ›

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