Think the primaries were something to talk about? Meet the candidates who are vying to become the next UGA Idol.

Sponsored by UGA Hillel, Sigma Delta Tau, Athens rock icons REM and the Music Business program, UGA Idol is the ultimate talent show for the singing elite at the University.

After 130 auditions in November, 16 semi-finalists were chosen and will compete tonight for the $500 grand prize and a chance to move onto the statewide Campus Superstar of Georgia competition, which serves as a fundraiser for Hillels of Georgia and will award $5,000 to its winner.

“It’s going to be an awesome, fun show – we’ve been working for months to have a show that people care about and know is happening for a good cause,” said 2008 Idol co-chair Brad Erbesfield. “Some of these students get to live out their dreams,” he said.

Along with the usual Idol grandeur and performances, the first honorary UGA Idol award will be given to Darius Weems, a local celebrity in his own right as the subject of the award-winning and internationally-acclaimed documentary, “Darius Goes West.”

“We see this as a great way to link the UGA Idol cause with the students and the great community,” said UGA Hillel Jewish Student Life Coordinator, Adam Klein. “It’s a fun event with a meaningful cause in that we are supporting both Child Abuse Athens and raising awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and the ‘Darius Goes West’ film.”