It was a hometown stroll down the red carpet for Carly Rae Jepsen Monday night.

The Grammy-nominated pop singer from Mission, B.C., performed a set for 500 fans at the Fraser Valley community's Clarke Foundation Theatre.

The last time she graced the stage there was in the lead role in the musical Annie.

"I am thinking of throwing in a little Tomorrow to the set," says Jepsen.

"My grandmother is coming and she saw me then, too. But that wig is never coming back - never."

The performance was part of the final leg of the Target Road Trip.

This brand awareness initiative for the Canadian wing of the massive American retailer is in preparation of its banner year ahead, which sees 124 stores come online offering Target's successful blend of youth and family fashion and lifestyle products.

Jepsen said it was a good fit for her goal of a hometown show.

"We said that we should really do a hometown show and the call came in from Target saying pretty much the same thing, so it was a go."

Visiting family and getting to have some of her favourite holiday baking before the show was a highlight for the busy artist, who hasn't had any downtime since her single 'Call Me Maybe' hit No. 1 in over 37 countries, selling 10 million-plus copies.

Looking ahead to next year, the 27-year-old says its more of the same; touring as opening act for fellow Canadian popster Justin Bieber and then headlining her own tour.

"We're going to Europe with Justin and then heading to Japan for a headlining show, which I am super excited about because I really loved it there."

What was key to the shine for the land of the rising sun? "Great sushi. And you should know I love sushi."

Reflecting on where she is now to where she wants to go, Jepsen is all business.

Getting a Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance nomination after placing third on Season 5 of Canadian Idol - anyone remember who won? - can give confidence.

"For the Grammys it isn't really any pressure, it's a celebration with all of the people who should be there - my family and co-writers Josh Ramsay and Tavish Crowe.

As for headlining, it's a chance to turn those dreams and ideas into reality.

How many costume changes, what to put in that whole set of songs and effects.

Justin's crew has been so amazing in letting us get that sense of what you can do with the big stage, and I intend to embrace that."

Much of her new smash album Kiss was recorded on the road and she says that she and Crowe are back at it working material for the follow-up.

This can mean making song notes in some pretty odd places.

"Oh, if I had my iPhone with me I would play you this idea I had to put down in the airport bathroom just yesterday.

I heard a woman use a word and it connected with a title and suddenly there I was quietly singing it in the bathroom."

Later on, she and Crowe flesh out these ideas, and she has certainly put out requests for co-writers.

Working with industry giants such as Max Martin and others who contributed to Kiss was a dream come true that she is ready to repeat.

"Not to write another Call Me Maybe, because you don't want to repeat yourself. But I know I have the writing thing now and I just want to take it further."

How did her hometown gig go?

First fellow 604 Records label mate Kieran Mercer played one of those warm-up sets that leaves you pretty sure you'll hear tweens screaming out his name in future.

Big ups for the trio's chops and groovy Cajun player.

Everyone should get one of these Latin percussion boxes as instrument/party furniture.

Anticipation built in the intimate confines of the theatre in the way it can only do when really young, hyped fans are around.

Following ever-escalating rally rounds of "Carly, Carly" and proof that the whole scream until you cry thing actually happens, Jepsen bounced onstage to the super catchy 'Tonight I'm Getting Over You'.

Yes, the time opening for the Biebs has certainly honed the show.

It was a rare treat for fans who got in.

From those who will remember it always - like the girl who had a signed T-shirt and got bangs just to go with it - to the toddler that will have to refer back to the photograph to understand.

They bounced to 'This Kiss', caught shirts she threw out for 'Tiny Little Bumps', howled for confetti and generally kept freaking out to a set that has certainly amped up to the dance in the pop.

She did trot out her guitar for a solo version of 'I Almost Said It'.

Her voice suggested a likely roots album somewhere down the road.

Obviously, 'Call Me Maybe' was on everyone's mind.

The giant old skool phone receiver was a dead giveaway. But the acoustic band version of the seasonal 'Home Tonight' - complete with lit-up phone wave - needed to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

'Twas the week before, after all.

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