The Lougheed Sings! competition at Lougheed Town Centre ended Friday with Burnaby vocalist Frankie Cena, 20, as the grand prize winner.
Out of 120 contestants, Cena most impressed the judges with his singing abilities and took home a pair of tickets to see Madonna, as well as a $500 gift card for Lougheed Mall, and a one-to-one mentoring session with Adam H., of Rockstar Academy, who was one of the judges in the competition.
"It means a lot," Cena said of his win. "Burnaby is my home community and I love singing at Lougheed Mall. It's not my first time, and having the support is really, really nice."
The North Road Shopping Centre hosted the singing contest in which contestants had to submit a video demo or audition in person to be entered.
This finalist group performed a Madonna medley live on Friday in a Canadian Idol-style show at the mall before the finalists performed their final numbers.
Runner up was Burnaby resident Stephen Sccacia.
Judges included Jan Cooper of Pump Records, and Frederick Robert, a former member of the Canadian Tenors.
LIVE LAUGHS
If you've ever wanted to be part of the studio audience during the taping of a TV show, your opportunity has arrived.
Mr. Young is a comedy show being produced at a studio in Burnaby for the family-friendly YTV network.
Currently in its third season, the show follows the story of a child prodigy who finishes college at 14 and becomes a science teacher.
Tickets to watch a live taping are free, and include entertainment, prizes, and pizza served during breaks in filming.
The show is taped on Friday evenings - Sept. 28, Oct. 5, Oct. 19 - with the finale on Oct. 26.
The studio is at 5828 Byrne Rd. in Burnaby.
Guests are encouraged to arrive by 4 p.m. and can expect to be on site until sometime between 8 and 9: 30 p.m., though it is not mandatory to stay for the whole evening.
Cast members will sign autographs once taping ends.
To reserve seats, phone 604-433-0779 or email [email protected].
VMO TO OPEN SEASON IN BURNABY
The Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra season opener is fast approaching.
The 10th annual Chamber Orchestra Concert will be held at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby on Sept. 9 at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 1: 15 p.m. The program includes a new commission by Alain Mayrand, Haydn's Sinfonie Concertante, Mendelssohn's Scherzo from Midsummer Night Dream and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. Featured artists will be conductor Ken Hsieh, violin soloist Siu-Fan Yiu, cello soloist Luke Kim, oboe soloist Emily Yu and bassoon soloist Tristian Lambert. The theatre is at 7373 MacPherson Avenue in Burnaby. Tickets are $25, available by phone, 604876-9397, or by email, [email protected]. For more information, visit www.vmocanada.com.
