Street concert to test mixed blend

Music fans will have a chance to enjoy a big seasonal outdoor feast, Luala concert, scheduled for April 20 to May 12, which will test the mixed blend of traditional and new age music.

Six performances, to take place from 3pm every Saturday and Sunday on the pavement of Ly Thai To street, will bring together musicians and young singers across the country, said Luala organisers at a press briefing in Hanoi on April 16.

While the Luala Fall-Winter concert was devoted to classical masterpieces, this summer feast will combine Vietnam’s traditional genres, such as Cai Luong (reformed opera) and Hat Van (northern traditional folk art combining singing and dancing) with Jazz and electronic music.

Danang-born pianist Pho An My, who has been well known for mixing Tuong (classical drama), Hat Van and Hue singing with western genres, will perform at the concert.

Since its inception in 2011, Luala concert has become popular with the capital city’s audience.

Each pervious programme attracted the audience of about 300-400 locals of various social strata and ages, and tourists.

HCM City ballet troupe spotlights modern dance

The HCM City Ballet and Symphony Orchestra (HBSO) will perform Modern Ballet based on contemporary themes and choreographed by its own artists.

The show at the HCM City Opera House tomorrow, April 19, will be in three parts and bring together several popular pieces for the first time.

It will open with Nuoc (Water), a work choreographed by Phuc Hai with music by Vu Viet Anh and Nguyen Manh Duy Linh.

Hai, considered one of the HBSO's most talented dancers, will also perform in his piece along with Duc Nhuan and Phuc Hung.

Kim Cuc will show off her moves in Nhung Manh Ghep Cua Giac Mo (Dream Puzzles), a two-act ballet based on a novel of the same name by Cherry Hartman.

Hung, who choreographed the work, said it was inspired by Hartman who said: "When your dreams are shattered, sweep up the pieces and keep them. Little points of hope can be found in the ruins of dreams."

Hung uses music by Max Richter in his choreography.

Ngay Hom Qua (Yesterday) and Chuyen (Motion), creations by Hai and Hung and featuring music by Paul McCartney and Amon Tobin, will come next.

Hung and Hai have worked long hours every day with the dancers to perfect their routines.

The show begins at 8pm. Tickets cost VND200,000 (US$10) to VND400,000 and are available at the theatre at 7 Lam Son Square, District 1.

Italian exhibition highlights Vietnamese culture

An exhibition on the Vietnamese Cultural Space was opened in Florence, the capital of Tuscany region, on April 17, kick-starting “Vietnam Days in Tuscany”.

On display are pictures of Vietnam through different periods of history, typical musical instruments, brocades, traditional long dresses and publications on Vietnam’s tourism.

“Vietnam Days in Tuscany” is part of the “Vietnam Year in Italy” which features a diverse range of activities to take place in major Italian cities of Rome, Florence, Milan, Bologna, and Venice throughout the year.

It came hot on the heels of “Vietnam Days in Rome” which was held in January 2013 by the Vietnamese Embassy, drawing great attention of local people.

During the two-week event, there will be photo exhibitions, installation art shows, displays of Vietnamese fine arts and handicrafts, music performances, fashion shows, and a forum on Vietnam-Italy economic cooperation.  

The same day, a photo exhibition on the Vietnam-Italy solidarity in the 1960s and 1970s was inaugurated by the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Society.

Performance art exhibition to be held in Ha Noi

An art exhibition entitled Solo for A Choir will be held featuring video and performance art at the Goethe Institute in Ha Noi.

The video installation by Jamie Maxtone-Graham will be open to public from 10am to 7pm over six days from April 19-24. Over the next three days, a number of artists will rotate in various performance art pieces. The exhibition will change from hour to hour depending on the number of and which artists will be there at each hour.

A live performance with all artists who have appeared in the installations will be held on April 28 with an art talk by independent artist Nguyen Trinh Thi about the process of working with the artists in the exhibition at 7pm.

The Ha Noi-based artist's practice consistently deals with memory and history, artists and their context.

Malaysian, Spanish artists to discuss their work

Malaysian artist Shyevin S'ng and Madrid-based Ignacio De Grado will present an art talk to explain their works and inspirations at the Alto Heli Bar tomorrow.

Both artists have had exhibitions in Viet Nam and other countries. They are now teachers at the District 2-based VinSpace Art Studio.

Tickets costing VND400,000 can be booked at the studio, 4 Le Van Mien Street, in District 2 and at the bar, level 52, Bitexco Financial Towner, 2 Hai Trieu in District 1.

Tango festival to liven up city hotels

Tango dance festival Saigon Tango Bliz from April 27 to May 6 will feature performances of international dancers, including Pablo and Noelia Giogini and Guillermo Claure from Argentina, and Asian Champion in 2012 Park Jiwon and Lee Inkyoung from South Korea.

Claure will perform during a Milonga (tango dance party) retreat week at StarCity Saigon Hotel from April 27 to May 1. Other Milongas, workshops and private lessons will be held at Windsor Plaza Hotel Saigon from May 2 to 5.

For more information, contact via email or call 0947750576.

French jazz Fabien Mary Quartet to perform

French trumpet player Fabien Mary and his band's members, including guitarist Hugo Lippi, contrabass player Fabien Marcoz and batterie (percussion section of a band) player Moruad Benhammou, will hold a concert at the Institute of French Cultural Exchange (IDECAF) this Sunday.

Born in 1978, Mary received the coveted Prize Django d'Or Young Talent for his first album Twilight, recorded in 2003.

He established a quartet to perform on his albums Twilight and Chess (2005) and an octet in Four and Four (2007).

Tickets priced at VND100,000 are available at the venue, 28 Le Thanh Ton Street, in District 1. The show will begin at 8pm.

Food fair to whet appetite for Japanese cuisine

The Oishi Nippon Fair presents Japanese food and cuisine at the Tokyo Town restaurant in District 3 this Saturday.

In a five-day event, visitors will have a chance to try free Japanese specialties and know more about the country's cuisine and cooking ingredients.

The restaurant is at 188 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street in District 3.

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