First Rockaway Idol Crowned

By Katie McFadden

Rockaway’s got talent! That was made clear under the tent at Bungalow Bar on Friday, September 5, as some of Rockaway’s best singers battled it out to be named Rockaway Idol. After pulling out all the stops in full costume as Stevie Nicks, a great voice, and with a few bribes for the judges, Mary Harkins’ rendition of “Landslide” won her the coveted golden microphone.

Years in the making, the hostess with the mostest, Bettina Hornung, known as a lead singer of Rock Soup, the host of stand-up comedy shows, Rockaway Roasts and more, unleashed her latest project this summer, Tent Cocktail Karaoke. Hornung teamed up with general manager Katy Grey at Bungalow Bar to make the magic happen and since May, she’s been hosting karaoke nights that turned into an audition to find the best singers around town. That culminated in a finalist event on Friday called Rockaway Idol that was a resounding success.

“I’ve been trying to put this together for years, and Katy was finally someone who trusted me to do it,” Hornung said. “The turnout was EPIC. We SOLD OUT the entire tent and back area for the show.”

Not only was the event sold out, but the talent was endless as 15 individuals, duos and groups took to the stage to sing their hearts out before the packed crowd. But only four judges had the tough time of selecting the best of the best. Among them were Owen Loof, better known as The Best Dressed Man in Rockaway, Mel Jam, Sir Henry Francis and Queen Sativa.

With the incredible talents of singers like Alannah Fabry of Rock Soup and the Rockaway Theatre Company who brought out her best Evanescence, Mary Claire Smyth who sang “Creep,” a costumed Kim who sang the tough song, “Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga and many more, the competition was fierce. But it was the strong voices, the stage presence, the costumes, and of course, the bribes, that set others far apart. “The talent was incredible! I felt like I was hosting an actual vocal competition,” Hornung said. “I was truly blown away and have no idea how the judges were able to narrow it down.”

The Diabolicals, a group that randomly showed up for dinner at one karaoke night and wound up getting the “Golden Buzzer” to the finals, won best group for their theatrical performance of “Summer Nights’” from Grease. They went home with a Kona beach wagon. In third place was Dylan Taruskin, another Rockaway Theatre Company talent, who put his best boot forward and captivated the audience with his rendition of Lorde’s “Green Light,” and took home a Budweiser cooler. Hornung said, “His voice is insane. He sang this song ‘Green Light’ by Lorde and it was fun, new, and everyone was dancing!”

Ali Reynoso, just 16, had everyone in tears with her performance of “I Have Nothing” by the legendary Whitney Houston, earning her second place. “She NEEDS to be discovered. Unbelievable voice,” Hornung said. And coming out on top was Stevie Nicks, or rather, Mary Harkins for her costumed performance of “Landslide.” Harkins was a shoo-in after buying a round of shots for the judges. “Mary Harkins understood the assignment, which is why I’m not surprised she won. She came in full costume, sang perfectly and bribed the judges accordingly,” Hornung said. Harkins went home with the golden microphone trophy, but she was so impressed by Reynoso, that she passed on the grand prize of a Kona-themed bike to an overjoyed Reynoso.

Hornung said she hopes to continue Rockaway Idol. “I am currently on the hunt for a new weekly spot so I can produce Fall 2025 Rockaway Idol in December. In the meantime, Bungalow Bar has welcomed me back monthly for karaoke and the schedule is currently pending,” Hornung said. For updates and to see what Bettina is up to next, follow @BettinaShow on Instagram and Facebook.