The wait is almost over.
There are only two days until celebrity teens Jordan Francis and Victoria Duffield hit the stage of the Charlottetown Civic Centre with the Cross Country Fun Hunt Concert.
They can’t wait for Sunday to get here.
“It’s something we’ve been looking forward to. The concert involves kids from all across the country that are also fans of mine. So we’re really excited about sharing the day with the kids,” says Duffield, the Warner Music artist best known for the singles Shut Up and Dance, Feel and Break My Heart as well as her appearances on the Canadian television series, Mr. Young.
As part of the pre-show, Duffield will perform with her dancers.
“Then I’ll be incorporated into the main show, singing and interacting with the audience. As for the final details, we’re working them out now. What I can tell you is, it’s a sold-out show, so it’s going to be big,” says Duffield, during a telephone interview.
Jordan, the concert emcee, is also excited that Charlottetown was chosen as the location for the grand finale.
“I’m glad that Lacey (Koughan)and her friends got the votes so the concert could be on P.E.I. I got to see it from a cool perspective when she and her friends took me up in a hot air balloon when I was here last summer. It was a highly amazing time and it’s going to be an awesome concert,” says Jordan, during a break in rehearsals for the show in Toronto last week.
The star of Camp Rock says the concert is a must-see event.
“You’re going to see a lot of cool dancing. Four of my dancers are coming out. They’re going to be on stage, having a good time. We’ll be performing all the Cross-Canada Fun Hunt Songs as well as some pieces that I’ve been working on for Universal Records, where I currently have a recording deal,” he says.
The concert is also a huge event for Lacey Koughan. The Stratford teenager won the Cross Country Fun Hunt after the P.E.I. episode that she and her friends helped to create received the most votes last fall. For her prize, it was agreed that a concert would be held in her own hometown.
“Thank you so much to everyone for supporting me and voting for P.E.I. as the funnest place in Canada, I can’t wait to see you all at the concert,” says Lacey, 14, who is extremely excited about Sunday evening.
“I can’t believe it is actually happening. It’s unbelievable. I am so excited to meet Victoria Duffield and get to hangout with Jordan again. It’s going to be so much fun,” says Lacey who is busy making plans for the reunion.
“I am bringing along a few of my friends to hang out with Jordan and I, while we go sledding. They include Maddy Neuffer, Ashley Fitzpatrick, Sarah Jenkins, Robyn Power Alex McMonagle and my sister, Celia Koughan,” says Lacey.
Jordan is also looking forward to catching up with old friends.
“It’s going to be great to reconnect with Lacey and her family. We had a great time. The last time I was there was because of Lacey. Like me, she’s a dancer. So we clicked right then and there. I’ve been dancing all my life, too,” he says.
As Lacey awaits Sunday’s concert, she is practising her dance moves.
“I am part of the Storm Troupers dance team for Summerside Storm basketball. Our instructor, Kashena Bartlett, choreographed an awesome dance to the Fun Hunt theme song. All of the Storm Troupers get to perform the dance in the concert. It’s going to be amazing,” she says.
Sally Cole is a features writer with The Guardian. She welcomes comments about her column as well as suggestions for future columns from readers. She may be reached at scole@theguardian.pe.ca or by phone at 629-6000, ext. 6054.
