Three Tri-City residents who performed in the semi-finals of the PNE Star Showdown last weekend will compete for cash prizes and scholarships - as well as the coveted title - in the finals on Wednesday.
Seven-year-old jazz singer Tyson Venegas of Port Moody clinched first place in the kids' division (for ages six to 12) while dancer Ben Freemantle, 18, also from Port Moody, won the youth category (for ages 13 to 18).
Venegas has been performing since he was two years old and is inspired by Burnaby crooner Michael Buble, a PNE Star Showdown titleholder.
Freemantle is a trainee with the San Francisco Ballet School. Last Saturday's kids' event also saw Julia MacLean, 11, of Port Moody take third for her rendition of Good Morning Baltimore. Her placement means a spot in the finals, happening Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Coquitlam musician Corbin Vander Zalm is up against nine other acts tomorrow (Tuesday) in the adult category.
