Rockaraoke contestant Shandon Hayes’s aviator sunglasses reflected the crowd as she took the stage for her rendition of Here for the Party by country singer Gretchen Wilson. With studded jeans and a rocker attitude, Hayes entertained the crowd and walked away with the first place title.

The Rockaraoke contest took place at the Bellevue Galleria as part of the Bellevue Downtown Association’s Live at Lunch Series.

Hayes was one of 10 performers who battled it out for the title of Rockaraoke’s 2009 winner. With an elevated stage and a live band, the lunchtime crowd sat under the hot sun, listening to contestants perform songs by Michael Jackson, Journey, Melissa Etheridge, Carrie Underwood and more.

Three Rockaraoke judges scored each contestant on accuracy, style, audience appeal, inventive and overall performance score. [Editor’s Note: The Bellevue Reporter’ Lindsay Larin was one of the judges.]

Contestant Paul Vega moonwalked the stage for his tribute to Michael Jackson and Terri Dewey belted it out for her take on Carrie Underwood’s song, Before He Cheats.

Wearing a shiny blue shirt and white fedora hat, Robert Brewer’s performance of Billie Jean by Michael Jackson won him second place. His encore performance of, Let’s Stay Together by Al Green, had the crowd singing along.

“This was so much fun performing with a live band on stage,” Brewer said. “Everyone did a really good job. What a great way to spend your lunch time.”

Takisha Longs brought a little spunk and good vocals when she channeled Sublime’s song, Santaria, taking the third place slot.

Lindsay Larin can be reached at 425.453.4602.

For more information on the Live at Lunch Series in Bellevue, visit www.bellevuedowntown.org.