Sinatra Idol Postponed Until Friday

Hoboken's Seventh Annual Sinatra Idol Contest has been postponed for one night due to the heavy rain forecast for Thursday evening, the city announced on its website.

The popular competition, which will feature "Real Housewives of New Jersey" brothers Chris and Albie Manzo as judges, has been rescheduled for Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Sinatra Park, located on Sinatra Drive between 4th and 5th streets.

This year's contest features 15 contestants from three countries and four states, including six from New Jersey.

ESL teacher Mario Cruz, of Guttenberg, and Joe Harkins, of Jersey City, are the only two Hudson County competitors.

Cruz was turned on to Sinatra by a student who asked him for the lyrics to "I've Got You Under My Skin," and eventually began performing Sinatra songs at restaurants, festivals and weddings.

Harkins, a historic preservationist in Jersey City, first heard Sinatra perform at the age of 10 during a War Bond tour in 1943, and began singing Ol' Blue Eyes' songs at his summer camp's weekly talent shows the following year.

“I won every week for the first five weeks, at which point, I was banned from the contest because no one else wanted to compete," Harkins said.

The Manzo brothers and a panel of four other judges, including Hoboken city clerk Jimmy Farina, will award prizes to the singers who best capture Sinatra's style.

James Anthony, the 2012 Sinatra Idol winner, will be on hand to sing a few songs and pass the trophy on to this year's winner.

Friday's event, which is free to the public, is being sponsored by Muller Insurance, Carlo's Bakery, Little Town NJ and Stan’s Sports Center. An after-party will be held at Little Town NJ, located at 310 Sinatra Drive, immediately following the competition.