NEXT BIG (BUT TINY) STAR

By Nick Lees, The Edmonton Journal

The big hit of the weekend was petite Charice Pempengco, the 16-year-old Filipino singer who Foster introduced to Celine Dion. Charice flew off Sunday to sing with Dion in New York's Madison Square Gardens that night.

"She'll be the next big star," said Foster. He had her sing The Prayer, a huge crowd-pleaser.

Charice at David Foster & Friends: Harmony: Part I

Charice at David Foster & Friends: Harmony: Part II

Charice at David Foster & Friends: Harmony: Part III

Charice at David Foster & Friends: Harmony: Part IV

Vocalist Josh Groban, a Foster protege, was to appear as a surprise guest but begged off with strep throat.

Seal missed the dress rehearsal and arrived 35 minutes before the curtain went up, after attending his son's birthday party. Paul Anka, en route to China, also missed dress rehearsal when his plane was late.

The big hit of the weekend was petite Charice Pempengco, the 16-year-old Filipino singer who Foster introduced to Celine Dion. Charice flew off Sunday to sing with Dion in New York's Madison Square Gardens that night.

David Foster found two new stars while raising a record $3.8 million for his foundation on the weekend.

There was Tyler Hamilton, who won the Star Search competition. Then there was the darling of Edmonton's black-tie charity crowd, auctioneer Danny Hooper.

"David Foster asked me if I'd be the auctioneer for Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night, March 28 in Phoenix," Hooper said Tuesday.

"I have a prior booking, but I'm going to see if I can make alternative arrangements." Hooper was also asked to auction at next fall's Foster concert and gala, and has committed to being there.

Friends who have worked closely with Foster's foundation, which financially and emotionally supports children in need of organ transplants, tell me next year's event is in L.A. Tables are expected to sell in the $50,000 to $100,000 range.

TINKLING AMONG THE STARS

The single item that raised the most at the auction ($160,000) was Foster's polished ebony grand piano autographed by many celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, Sheryl Crow, Andre Agassi and Barbra Streisand.

"The auction on Friday and Saturday nights raised a total of $950,000," said Angus Watt, who spearheaded events with his wife Heather, committee chairman John Holmlund, Ann Finzer, Kathy Ferguson, Don Metz, Doug Goss, Bob Westbury, Tommy Banks and Dianne Young.

NEXT BIG (BUT TINY) STAR

Vocalist Josh Groban, a Foster protege, was to appear as a surprise guest but begged off with strep throat.

Seal missed the dress rehearsal and arrived 35 minutes before the curtain went up, after attending his son's birthday party. Paul Anka, en route to China, also missed dress rehearsal when his plane was late.

The big hit of the weekend was petite Charice Pempengco, the 16-year-old Filipino singer who Foster introduced to Celine Dion. Charice flew off Sunday to sing with Dion in New York's Madison Square Gardens that night.

"She'll be the next big star," said Foster. He had her sing The Prayer, a huge crowd-pleaser.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN A JOKE

A surprise guest was Warren Buffett, the American businessman and philanthropist, named by Forbes this year as among the richest people in the world, with an estimated net worth of $62 billion US.

Buffett regularly travels with friends to Foster functions and was teased by the producer. Foster opened Buffett's wallet to find only $44.

Comic Sinbad had fun with that one.

WHAT IS 'FOSTER CASUAL'?

Still wondering what "David Foster casual" dress means are Rob Pepper and Dylan Wowchuk, hosts of the Pepper and Dylan Show on The Bounce.

The pair worked tirelessly to make David Foster's Star Search what the record producer described as "the best Star Search we've ever had."

But baby-faced Dylan showed up Friday to emcee the final contest at Lux restaurant wearing a designer T-shirt and blue jeans, while pierced-nose Pepper was elegantly attired in a mauve shirt and smart blue jeans.

"I've been to a lot of Hollywood red carpets and thought I was suitably dressed. The T-shirt I wore cost more than the suit I wore the following night," said Dylan.

He went to Henry Singers and borrowed a jacket and white shirt, but foundation representatives asked the pair if they minded if Hooper emceed.

"Danny was better suited to the crowd," said Pepper.

A DIVA IS A DIVA IS A DIVA

She chatted with Edmonton Symphony Orchestra fans with a girl-next-door approachability, but Renee Fleming still maintained the presence of a diva.

Invited onto the stage to meet fans after her performance last week, Fleming stayed as long as anyone else.

"It's easy to understand why she is known as 'the people's diva,' " said the ESO's Melayne Shankel. "She strives to balance singing in the great concert halls and operas houses of the world and yet lead a normal life."

The two-time Grammy winner said the Winspear was a great concert hall. "But I did have to find my spot on the stage," she said. "It didn't work when I went upstage. I had to move forward."

How does the 49-year-old look so fresh at the end of a three-act opera?

"Pilates," she said. "I invest a good few hours in Pilates every week."