Some of the city’s most talented teenagers will be front and centre in Cloverdale later this month, when the Surrey Coast Capital Savings TeenFest kicks off.
The annual event, set for Jan. 31 at the Cloverdale Agriplex, will be highlighted by a teen talent contest, which will showcase singers, dancers, musicians, comedians and other entertainers, all between the ages of 12 and 18.
Visit www.teenfest.ca for instructions on how to audition for entry into the talent show. The deadline to enter is Jan. 21, and those selected will be invited to perform at TeenFest. The winner will receive a $250 Visa gift card courtesy of Coast Capital Savings.
Last year’s talent-show winner, 12-year-old singer-songwriter Shon Burnett, went on to become a top-six finalist in the YTV television show Next Star 7. Burnett will be back to perform at Teenfest again this year.
Others set to perform include 15-year-old musician Tristan Thompson, whose song Tidal Wave is played on 60-plus radio stations worldwide; singer/songwriter Ria Jade, 17, who also hosts her own show on Shaw’s multicultural channel; and teen all-girl band ARIUM.
“We are thrilled to showcase the talent of our community and put the youth in touch with mentors who can help further their dreams,” says Ali Berman, who co-founded TeenFest with her husband, Wayne.
And while the talent show is the one-day festival’s marquee event, it’s by no means the only one.
TeenFest will also feature an indoor skateboard park, interactive sports and gaming activities, and more than 80 booths set up to help teens explore their areas of interest – including education; fashion and beauty; health and wellness; and technology and gaming.
Berman said TeenFest was created in an effort to inspire and “open up a world of possibilities to local teens.”
“We can introduce these kids to the people who can help further their careers,” she said, pointing to the success Burnett has had since last year’s event.
“We want them to have as many opportunities as possible.”
TeenFest will be held Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Cloverdale Agriplex (17798 62 Ave.).
For more information, visit www.teenfest.ca