DaveR
12-11-2003, 11:05 AM
BERLIN, CONNECTICUT -- People wishing to bare their souls and some skin during a proposed nude karaoke event at the Berlin Station Cafe will have to compete in a qualifying round Jan. 10.
Contenders must show up in pajamas or underwear. Bar owner Marty St. Pierre promises to supply bathrobes.
The event was proposed in September when St. Pierre posted a "Naked Karaoke with Candy" sign to tease Candy Curren, veteran bartender at the Farmington Avenue bar.
Naked karaoke piqued the interest of dozens of residents, who signed up.
It also raised eyebrows among town officials, who warned that the event had to comply with an ordinance regulating sexually oriented businesses. St. Pierre filed a lawsuit in October, challenging the scope of the ordinance. David Koskoff, St. Pierre's attorney, said Wednesday the case is on the docket in New Britain Superior Court but may not be heard until January.
Town officials, including Town Manager Richard Haberman, have said they have not forbidden the activity, but merely asked that it comply with the town's rules.
St. Pierre will base his choices during the qualifying round on personality and sense of humor, not looks or singing ability.
"That would also be discriminatory," he said. "Besides, what's karaoke without bad singing?"
Contenders must show up in pajamas or underwear. Bar owner Marty St. Pierre promises to supply bathrobes.
The event was proposed in September when St. Pierre posted a "Naked Karaoke with Candy" sign to tease Candy Curren, veteran bartender at the Farmington Avenue bar.
Naked karaoke piqued the interest of dozens of residents, who signed up.
It also raised eyebrows among town officials, who warned that the event had to comply with an ordinance regulating sexually oriented businesses. St. Pierre filed a lawsuit in October, challenging the scope of the ordinance. David Koskoff, St. Pierre's attorney, said Wednesday the case is on the docket in New Britain Superior Court but may not be heard until January.
Town officials, including Town Manager Richard Haberman, have said they have not forbidden the activity, but merely asked that it comply with the town's rules.
St. Pierre will base his choices during the qualifying round on personality and sense of humor, not looks or singing ability.
"That would also be discriminatory," he said. "Besides, what's karaoke without bad singing?"