In The Event That

You're Just a Small-Town Girl, Livin' in a Lonely World

by Natalie Hope McDonald

Yo Darkroom Karaoke Party Launch Party | Sat., Sept. 6, 8 p.m., exhibit through Sept. 20, Yo Darkroom, 113 N. 23rd St., 215-789-9032, yodarkroom.com

Karaoke's been called a lot of things, but a serious form of artistic expression isn't one of them. Yo Darkroom begs to differ. At the launch party for their performance and video exhibit Empty Orchestra: Arts Meet Karaoke, guests can mingle with performers, check out the work and, of course, sing their hearts out.

Taking a page from Andy Warhol's idea that everyone's a superstar, Yo director Veronique Cote rounded up five artists to turn this quirky Japanese pastime into fine art. After asking folks to dial in their grievances by phone, artist Amos Latteier interprets the confessions to the tune of Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It." Chris Barr roams the streets with his karaoke ice cream cart, letting passersby sing their favorite ditty in a Philadelphia minute. Other artists included are Boris Willis, who combines dance with karaoke; Gordon Winiemko and his "Karaoke Manifesto," a medley of musical classics humorously rewritten; and Sarah Paul, a performance artist who uses music, song and video to confront issues of identity and body image.

So much for that rousing group rendition of "Friends in Low Places."