For the past 10 years, over 100 Sunshine Boyz and Girlz have been given the opportunity to shine on the Sunshine Nation stage.  This year, the organizers of this famed talent search were inspired by the dynamic performances in “High School Musical” and thought it a fitting theme for this year’s contest. On August 28^th, the ten finalists of Sunshine Nation 2009, a.k.a. the Class of 2009, will graduate from their intensive training with a magnificent stage production, trying to win over the judges with their energy, talent and charisma. 

The Finalists

This year the Sunshine Nation finalists are the youngest in history, with an average age of 17.5 years old.  Despite their youth, they are extremely talented:  Alex is a ballroom dancer, Angel writes songs, Basil has a love for playing piano, Ivy is a hip-hop dancer, Grace is gifted in picking up new languages, Iver is an aircraft maintenance engineer, Jack is a basketball player, Jeffrey is a multi-instrumentalist, Julia plays pipa and Reika is fluent in Japanese. 

Since they were selected at the end of June, the ten finalists have been taking modeling, dancing, acting and fitness classes in preparation for upcoming events. On Aug 10^th, they impressed the media at a Press Conference at the Stone Grill Restaurant in Vancouver.  Following that, the energetic young pack made their way over to the Vancouver Aquarium where they visited the two-month old beluga calf and her mother, Aurora.

Then this Saturday, August 22^nd, the public will have a preview of their talents at the Crystal Mall.  The Sunshine Nation Talent Show is expected to attract hundreds of audience members with one winning a cell phone in a contest sponsored by Rogers Wireless.

According to the organizers, having the Sunshine Boyz and Girlz participating in these publicity events is essential.  It is quite obvious that the teenage contestants are gaining experience and confidence every time they put themselves in front of a live audience.

The Final Contest

The Sunshine Nation 2009 finale–where this year’s winners will be determined–is going to be held at Michael J. Fox Theatre on Friday, August 28^th, at 8pm.  To ride on the success of “High School Musical”, the show will be a 2-hour production of singing, dancing, acting and even a tribute to Michael Jackson, the King of Pop.  There’s no doubt the ten Sunshine Boyz and Girlz, costumed in hip and chic school uniforms, will give the best performances of their lives.

“HotCha”–a Hong Kong Canto-pop trio, will be the special performers for the event.  Regan, Crystal & Winkie were born to be dancers. Performing a repertoire of up-beat and energetic songs since their beginnings in 2007, in only two years time, “HotCha” have won numerous musical awards, including “Favorite Female Group” and “Best Group Performance of the Year”.

Judges for this year’s finale will be Comic Productions / Meteor Garden Production representative, Fiona Sze; Manager of Neway Star Artiste Management Ltd., Joey Wong; renowned actress and beauty pageant winner, Cher Yeung; and Senior Vice President and General Manager of Fairchild Radio, George Lee. They will determine who becomes Sunshine Boyz Champion, Sunshine Girlz Champion, and who recieves the Music Talent Award. The People’s Choice Award will be determined ahead of time by an on-line voting system. Tickes are now on sale at Fairchild Radio at Unit 2090-4151 Hazelbridge Way in Richmond.

Audience Participation

The organizers of Sunshine Nation made a giant step this year by utilizing the most popular Internet networking sites—Youtube, Facebook and Twitter—to incorporate direct & interactive communication into the audience’s experience.   The official websites www.am1470.com and www.fm961.com are loaded with beautiful pictures, TV commercials, behind-the-scene footages and outtakes, personal information and self-introduction videos of the Sunshine finalists. Each of the Sunshine Boyz and Girlz has his or her own blog and has posted a lot of funny and intimate comments and photos to share with his or her fans. 

Also, anyone can log onto the official websites and vote for their favorite in the Brian Jessel BMW People’s Choice Award, and get a chance to win a $300 cash certificate at the BMW Gift Shop.

About Sunshine Nation

Organized by Fairchild Radio and Comic Productions / Meteor Garden Production, the Sunshine Nation Contest is an annual event giving deserving young people of Asian heritage the opportunity to embark on careers in the entertainment business by giving them exposure and performance coaching, as well as valuable prizes.  Along with their moment in the spotlight, they are also in the attention of talent scouts looking for the next Asian superstar, so the possibilities are endless!

For more information please call 604-295-1234.

特別表演嘉賓Hotcha親自面向鏡頭提提你她們將會現身溫哥華，於Sunshine Nation 2009決賽夜載歌載舞。看看她們如何形容Sunshine Nation是一個怎麼樣的比賽！
Guest performers Hotcha look at the camera and tell you that they will come to Vancouver and perform at Sunshine Nation 2009’s Finale!

風雨無情，人間有愛。為幫助台灣莫拉克風災災民，加拿大中文電台決定將Sunshine Nation 2009所有門票收益撥捐作賑災之用。現在你也可以出一分力，向災民伸出援手。購買Sunshine Nation 2009門票，除了可以現場感受精采的比賽過程，欣賞香港新一代青春跳舞組合Hotcha載歌載舞，見證新一代Sunshine Boyz和Sunshine Girlz的誕生之外，更可以做善事，幫助這次風災有需要的人。

門票$30一張，閣下可於辦公時間親臨加拿大中文電台位於列治文時代坊的辦事處購買。地址可按此查看。

Sunshine Nation CARES. As part of the global community, Fairchild Radio has decided that all proceeds from the ticket sales of Sunshine Nation 2009 will be donated to help the victims of typhoon Morakot in Taiwan. So now YOU can help. Buy tickets to watch Sunshine Nation 2009, enjoy the spectacular performances of our finalists and guest performers Hotcha, and contribute to the donation that will help the victims in Taiwan.

Tickets are $30 each. You may buy tickets at Fairchild Radio’s office at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond. Click here to see the address.