Type the name "Frankie Cena" into the Burnaby NOW archives, and you'll get a list of stories that dates back to 2005, when the then-14-year-old was a semifinalist at the PNE Discovery Search and took to the stage in Burnaby's Cavalcade of Stars.
Over the years, he's continued to make headlines for his debating skills and his performing accomplishments - not the least of which was his win as Mr. World Canada in 2012.
Now the Burnaby native is coming home to celebrate his love of music and some of his favourite musical moments over the past decade, with a special concert on Thursday, June 26 at the Michael J. Fox Theatre.
"It was so important for me to have my first show in Burnaby. This is where I went to school, this is where I grew and developed as a person," Frankie says in a press release. "I've hosted numerous events and performed many times at this theatre. It feels like home."
The concert will have a live band directed by Trevor Hoffman and will feature singers from around the Lower Mainland, including Burnaby's Stephanie Standerwick along with Jerrica Santos of Surrey, Ria Jade of Maple Ridge, Gelsy Wong of Vancouver, Iris Del Castillo of Maple Ridge and Jessica Zraly of Coquitlam.
"I will never give up on my dream to be Burnaby's greatest star," Frankie says. "To honour those who have helped me along the way, to work hard, to inspire young people and to hopefully change the world."
Frankie is partnering with the charity Promise for Tomorrow, which works to help raise funds for AIDS-orphaned children in China.
Frankie Cena in Concert is set for 6:30 p.m. Buy tickets at www.eventbrite.ca or see www.frankiecena.ca.
Tiockets are $20 for kids up to age 12, $25 for youth 13 to 19 and $30 for regular admission before May 31. Tickets at the door will be $35.
You can find out all the event details on Facebook - search for "Frankie Cena in Concert."
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Music lovers, don't miss out on your chance to see some emerging stars in performance.
The Clef Society of Burnaby is presenting the winners of its annual concerto competition in concert with the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra.
The concert takes place Monday, June 2, 7:30 p.m. at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby.
The performers are those who received the highest marks in their category in the recent competition, and audience members will be treated to one cellist, one violinist and four pianists.
On the program are:
* Natalie Lo, piano, playing Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 43, by Sergei Rachmaninoff;
* Athena Deng, piano, playing Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26, by Sergei Prokofiev;
* Sa Rang Kim, violin, playing Violin Concerto in A Minor, Op. 82, by Alexander Glazunov;
* Tate Zawadiuk, cello, playing Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104, by Anton Dvorak;
* Jack Le, piano, playing Piano Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 16, by Edvard Greig; and
* Ryan Zhu, piano, playing Piano Concerto in C Major, Op. 15, by Ludwig van Beethoven.
They'll be accompanied by the orchestra, under the direction of Ken Hsieh.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the box office on the day of the performance, starting at 6:30 p.m. Theatre doors will open at 7 p.m.
The Clef Society is expecting a capacity crowd, so they're suggesting that people arrive early to avoid long lineups.
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Art lovers, don't miss out on the Burnaby Artists' Guild's next show.
The guild is presenting an exhibition and sale, Nature Inspired, at the Deer Lake Gallery from June 21 to July 12.
An opening reception is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, and the gallery will be open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.
The show features work by 23 guild members in a variety of styles and mediums, and admission is free.
For information, call 604-298-7322 or check out the guild website at www.burnabyartistsguild.com.
Deer Lake Gallery is at 6584 Deer Lake Ave.
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With all those talented people in Burnaby, I just know there's a choir director out there somewhere who'd love this one.
The Bonsor seniors' choral group is looking for a choir director to lead their group, which meets Friday afternoons at the Bonsor Recreation Complex.
The choir is a four-part-harmony group open to seniors over the age of 55. It performs two programs a year - Christmas music in December and "golden oldies" in May - at seniors' residences and care homes.
It's a volunteer-run choir, so the position is a volunteer one.
The director should have strong leadership and choral conducting skills, with education and experience in training senior singers and the ability to conduct from the piano when required.
For information, call Christine Leston at 604-516-0277.
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Do you know an interesting local artist or performer who deserves to be in the spotlight?
I'm always searching for people to be profiled in our Fill in the Blanks series - which gives interesting folks from the arts and entertainment scene a chance to introduce themselves to the community.
All you need to do is fill out a questionnaire (I can email it to you) and have a photo taken.
If you're interested or you know someone who would be a good subject, email me, [email protected], with name and contact details.
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Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
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