So you wanna be a rock 'n' roll star? Here's you chance to do it - or at least be crowned Rock Star: Cincinnati. That's the title up for grabs, along with $10,000 in cash and prizes, in a new contest.

The competition is open to all local bands willing to send in a demo CD and pay the $49.95 application fee; deadline is Aug. 1. Ten groups will be chosen to battle it out at local clubs for 10 weeks, beginning Aug. 26. The last two bands standing go head to head on Oct. 30 at the Madison Theater in Covington.

The first-place winner takes home $4,000 in cash and prizes worth another $3,500; second-place winner receives $1,500 in cash and $500 in prizes; third-place winner gets $500 in cash. All 10 bands will get the chance to record a track for the Rock Star: Cincinnati CD.

For complete rules and more information, go to www.cincyrockstar.com.

— C.E. Hanifin