Local percussion group to perform in US

Hanoi-based percussion ensemble Go Group will perform in the US next month under an invitation of Brigham Young University in Utah.

The group will perform local pieces such as “Bai ca chim ung” (The Falcon Song) by Dam Linh, Rhapsody Viet Nam (Vietnamese Rhapsody) by Do Hong Quan as well as foreign works in Utah and Idaho.

Formed in 2010, the group includes Phan Nam, Nghiem Manh Tuan, Bui Anh Dung and Tran Xuan Hoa from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra and the Vietnam National Opera Ballet.

The group has just arrived at Brigham Young to rehearse for their first concert on November 2.

In related news, the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra has also performed at the Carnegie Hall in New York on October 23 and at the Boston Symphony Hall on October 24.

“Victory Song” broadcast live in Vietnam and Russia

A special programme “Victory Song” marks important milestones in the Great Patriotic War waged by Russian people.

“Victory Song” was broadcast live in Hanoi and Moscow on October 31 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the historic parade on Red Square (November 7, 1941), followed by the Great Patriotic War.

Present at the event in Hanoi were former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Teenagers and Children Dao Trong Thi who is also President of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, Vietnam Television Director General Tran Binh Minh and some other officials.

While Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Thanh Son, Ambassador to Russia Pham Xuan Son and many Vietnamese people in Russia attended the programme in Moscow.

The progamme highlighted historical milestones of the Great Patriotic War from 1941 to the victory day on May 9, 1945 through stories of Russian war veterans. The sacred war lasted 1,418 days and nights with thousands of fierce battles involving millions of Russian and European people. Images of Russian people, especially those directly involved were brought into focus through Russian songs and dances.

A strong debut for Dragonfly theatre
 
Seeing The Importance of Being Earnest in Saigon may have been a bit like catching sight of a tiger in the Antarctic, but the unexpectedness of the location didn’t detract from the magnificence of the beast.

Wilde’s witty and absurd play was the cleverest comedy to be written in England in 150 years when it first surfaced in 1895. It continues to be very funny, and some of its lines have become so well-known that they’re on your lips even before they’re on the actors’.

How astonishing it is, then, to report that, in this largely expatriate amateur production, the best performers were the two Vietnamese, mastering not only a second language but matchlessly sophisticated lines in it as well.

Nguyen Ha Tu Trinh as Cecily and Nguyen Lan Phuong as Gwendolen established their professionalism with ease, and perfectly embodied the innocent-seeming but actually very astute characters Wilde had created for them.

The foreigners didn’t do too badly either though.  Aaron Toronto was an unusually outrageous Algernon and Michael Adams hit on just the right note of daft ridiculousness for Chasuble. Brian Riedlinger began as a modest Jack but rose to the challenge later in the show. Belinda Shorland and Emily Huckson both differed from the usual characters of Lady Bracknell and Miss Prism, the former avoiding the normally orotund pomposities of an Edith Evans, the latter adopting an absurdity that was highly memorable. Darryl Cullen played both Lane and Merriman with some appropriately deft touches.

The two sets, as well, were excellently evocative and even included a swing in the garden scene. The lighting was professional, as were the Vietnamese subtitles, these last something that can’t have been easy to synchronize.

There were some historical anomalies, such as Gwendolen appearing late in the performance in a short skirt, a somewhat plastic-looking “handbag”, and Algernon playing some modern-sounding music on the piano. None of this seemed right for 1895, but then neither did an interpolated song-and-dance routine which both received a round of applause and proved that the accomplished director, Jaime Zuniga, had no intention of slavishly following anyone’s traditions.

All in all this was an exceptionally pleasurable evening, and a highly creditable debut for the Dragonfly Theatre Company. The Youth World Theatre on Cong Quynh Street proved an excellent venue that should be used more often, and the use of amplification, though probably strictly unnecessary, ensured that every one of Wilde’s felicities was heard to perfection, even though many of them failed to raise a laugh from a sometimes bemused audience.

Michelin starred Chef Thierry Drapeau in city with flair  

Two-star Michelin Chef Thierry Drapeau is bringing the vibrant cuisine of France to Ho Chi Minh City diners between Monday and Friday.  

The renowned French Chef is taking charge of the kitchen at Reflections Restaurant at the Caravelle Hotel in the business district for five nights from October 31 to November 4.

He said he came to serve diners with selected dishes from his Logis de la Chabotterie restaurant in Verdun of France.

The Chef conducted a one-time cooking class at the Caravelle Monday. His a-la-carte menu of regional French cuisine displayed his inventive preparation of seafood, fish, foie gras, pigeon, and lamb, as well as a selection of his distinctive desserts.

Regarding the Michelin ranking, the term normally refers to the Michelin Red Guide, the oldest and best-known European hotel and restaurant guide, which awards the Michelin stars. The guide awards one to three stars to a small number of restaurants of outstanding quality.

Children's pictures depict traffic safety

Sixty pictures featuring subjects related to traffic have been on display at an exhibition on traffic safety at the Ha Noi Children's Cultural Palace since Sunday.

The pictures, drawn by kids from five to 15 years old, were selected from a drawing competition on traffic circulation which was organised by the Centre for Research, Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Identity and the National Traffic Safety Committee.

The competition, announced in June, drew the participation of nearly 100 children from throughout the country. As many as 532 pictures were submitted and awards were given to 60 pictures drawn by 50 kids.

Photo of volunteer wins gold medal

Photographer Le Minh won a gold medal for his photo Giua Dong Nuoc Lon (In a Strong Water Flow) at a digital photo contest organised by the Image Colleague Society in the US.

The picture, consisting of a young volunteer helping a child, achieved victory amidst over 6,000 other entries.
Seven additional photos from Minh's portfolio were chosen for exhibition.

At 48, the artist currently works at the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the southern province of Phu Yen.

TA