HIT Idol show tonight features 2011 finalist

IRONWOOD - Naima Adedapo, a top 11 "American Idol" finalist, arrived in Ironwood Friday for a brief performance that night and a longer one today at the Historic Ironwood Theatre.

Forty-five area singers competed at the theater Friday night, all trying to become the opening act for Adedapo's performance tonight in a 90-minute show.

HIT members greeted Adedapo Friday afternoon at the Maplewood Steakhouse on Cloverland Drive. She had been in town just long enough to watch a blast of Big Snow Country snowfall arrive.

Adedapo, from Milwaukee, competed in the "American Idol" television elimination competition in 2011, when she was 26. Because she sang so well that year, she continued to advance and ended up performing during seven live TV shows.

The daughter of a jazz vocalist, Adeloka Adedapo, as a child she tagged along on her mom's gigs. "I've always loved the arts, in general," she said.

She obtained a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

She describes her style of singing as soul-pop and said her voice has gotten better since the "Idol" competition.

The local winners in the various HIT Idol age categories from Friday will be announced before Adedapo's show at 7 tonight.

There may still be a limited number of tickets for tonight's show. To purchase a ticket, visit the downtown theater box office at 109 E. Aurora St., or call 906-932-0618 for more information.