Category — Music

Friends of mine - British Chinese “double violin assault specialists” CHi2 recently premiered their new show MONKEY KING - A Modern Beijing Opera, in North London, UK.

Celebrating the richness and colour of Beijing Opera and re-interpreted for the modern day, CHi2 created a visually and musically exciting show, blending digital media and music.

I photo-documented the event which I have to say, was very good! I’m not a regular live music go-er, but they combined lots of visuals and lighting effects with a variety of musical textures, that told the story of Monkey - who in this case, was depicted by actor Tom Wu.

Stunning if you can catch it! This show was a one-off, but CHi2 are now planning a tour - watch this space!

Check out my photo gallery of Monkey : A Modern Beijing Opera

CHi2’s website

Technorati Tags: A Modern Beijing Opera, Beijing Opera, British Chinese, CHI2, double violin assault specialists, MONKEY KING, Tom Wu

If you like classical music and you’re free this Saturday in London, classical guitarist Xue Fei Yang, from Beijing, plays a free, informal concert at the Southbank Centre.

“The first ever classical guitarist from China to study in the West, Xue Fei is one of the most exciting international talents of today. She has given concerts at many of the major concert venues across the world, coming to prominence in 2003 with a 54 date Night of the Proms tour across Europe, to an estimated audience of 800,000. This year, her CD Romance de Amor (EMI Classics) was released to rave reviews: ‘Her technique is flawless, but as well as being an impeccable technician, she also displays great feeling for the music…A superb album’ (Classic FM Magazine).

“In this informal concert, Xue Fei Yang performs music by Albeniz, Barrios and Lauro.”

Xue Fei Yang also performed at The Pearl Awards in November last year.

Xue Fei Yang, in The Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre
Saturday 12 January 2008, 4pm

More info

Technorati Tags: Beijing, Chinese, classical music, music, Southbank Centre, Xue Fei Yang

If you’re in London on the 21st or 22nd February 2008, you can get a taste of Beijing hip hop in the form of mandarin rappers Dragon Tongue Squad.

(Photographer: Luna)

As part of the Five Circles Arts Festival, organised by Chinatown Arts Space, Dragon Tongue Squad will cross with wicked London sounds from British Chinese scratch-artist DJ Phat and flamenco guitarist Suki Mok, to share a fantastic set showcasing both their own work and the results of their week-long residency jamming in a London studio. blaZian, a mix of young exciting black and East Asian dancers, will kick off the evening with blaZian Invasion!

Five Circles Arts Festival
Hip Hop Rap (UK/China)
Thursday 21 & Friday 22 February 2008, 8pm
Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House
£12 Adults, £8 Students & ROH Access List, £5 Standing

More information on ChinatownArtsSpace.com

Technorati Tags: Beijing, Beijing Hip Hop, British Chinese, Chinatown Arts Space, DJ Phat, Dragon Tongue Squad, Five Circles Arts Festival, Mandarin Rappers, music, Royal Opera House, Suki Mok, UK Artists, United Kingdom

I’ve heard about how hip-hop culture is being embraced by some younger China residents, although they do add their own flavours and (mandarin) lyrics, sometimes choosing to stay away from subjects that are too radical.

However, I came across this clip of some Chinese beatboxers, who obviously don’t need to say much, but use their voices nonetheless to make beats.

The video is from Yanji, a city in China on the border with North Korea. Enjoy..

Via FusionView

Technorati Tags: China, Chinese beatboxing, culture, hip-hop culture

Here’s a clip of a little 3 year old Chinese girl from a Japanese TV show playing an energetic xylophone solo. Considering her age, she’s amazing, and even better, seems to be having so much fun doing it!

Via TokyoMango

Technorati Tags: Chinese, Japanese tv show, xylophone

Check out 5 year old DJ Ryusei and 8 year old DJ Sara mixing and scratching! Their parents need to pair these guys up to the previously posted Amazing 5 Year Old Chinese Breakdancer!

Via BoingBoing

Technorati Tags: China, DJ Ryusei, DJ Sara, music

I just came across an excellent gallery containing scans of rare 60’s and 70’s East-Asian Pop Singles. I’m too young to know of any of these, but they do look like something my parents have in their collection (of LP’s). Definitely worth a look!

More covers below…

Technorati Tags: 60’s and 70’s, design, entertainment, music, pop single covers

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Nobuko from the Asian Music Centre sent me this note about a free Taiko Drum Workshop they are holding on Friday 28th September, 2007. I’ve seen a performance by the Joji Hirota Japanese Taiko Drummers and it looks and sounds excellent, especially if you like your beats. The performers really looked like they were having fun too. Find out more below…

TAIKO at the ASIAN MUSIC CENTRE!
Fri 28th Sept, 4.00 - 5:15pm, 2007
Japanese taiko drum workshop for beginners / Free
In partnership with Open Rehearsal, an initiative of the Mayor of London

Come and learn the taiko! “Taiko” means ‘big drum’ in Japanese and is played in festivals, rituals, and the concerts stage throughout Japan. With an energetic sound and powerful physical performance, it has become popular all over the world. Mark Alcock from Taiko Meantime will lead the workshop. Please wear comfortable clothing. Open to all ages.

BOOKING STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
Tel 020 8749 9584
E-mail info@amc.org.uk
Web www.amc.org.uk

ASIAN MUSIC CENTRE
1-2 Bradford Road, Acton London W3 7SP

Technorati Tags: Asian Music Centre, culture, Japanese, music, Taiko Drummers