Since the success of reality shows like American Idol and The Voice, it seems we simply can’t escape the singer-competition format. In fact, it’s with that very format in mind that the Chumash brings us the next in a long line of crooning contests: Rising Star. On Saturday, September 7, the Santa Ynez casino and resort will host 12 aspiring singers from the tri-county area — including three SBCC students, a music teacher from La Colina Junior High, and the president of the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation — as they battle it out in front of a panel of celebrity judges and audience voters. The winner will take home $5,000, as well as professional recording time, a musical mentorship from Dishwalla’s J.R. Richards, and the opportunity to perform as an opening act at an upcoming Chumash Casino show. The show starts at 7 p.m. and is open to the public. For tickets and info, call (800) 585-3737 or visit chumashcasino.com. For more on Rising Star, visit risingstarusa.com.