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Formed in 2007, the group includes five members: the well-known singer Mette Linberg, trumpet player Miloud Carl Sabri, saxophonist Sven Meinild, guitar player Mad Brinch Nielsen, drummer Rasmus Valldort and Lars Iversen, a composer and producer.
During their show, they will perform The Golden Age, one of their best known songs, composed by Lars Iversen.
“This is one of our most sentimental songs. We mean to show our appreciation for the great music that was made in the past, especially from the 30's, the 60's and the 70's,” said Lars.
The count-down festival will be held by Hanoi municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism as an international cultural event free for the public.
HCM City launches new tourism programme
Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has launched a programme called “Ho Chi Minh City – 100 interesting things”.
The aim is to develop the tourism industry in Vietnam's largest city.
Tourists will be asked to select their top five destinations - museums, landmarks, historical sites or even events - around the city.
They will also be encouraged to add their five favourite restaurants, dishes, cafes and markets, among other things.
The programme will last from December 2011 through March 2012.
The top 100 list will be announced in April of next year.
La Quoc Khanh, Deputy Director of the department, said the they encourage businesses and institutions to nominate themselves, but the final decision will be made by tourists votes.
This is the second time such a programme has been carried out in Ho Chi Minh City. The first one was launched in 2009.
National Television Festival concludes
The 31st National Television Festival closed in Danang city on December 21, presenting 27 gold, 27 silver and 57 bronze medals for the best works.
The jury also awarded consolation prizes to 147 works and honoured the best directors, cameramen, actors and actresses.
The four-day event attracted more than 600 entries in eight categories, including children's programming, documentary and reportage, short reportage, science and education programs, talk shows, ethnic programs, music shows, and television series. It also brought together producers and other broadcast professionals to share experiences.
The works reflected the country's political, social, economic and cultural achievements as well as current issues such as hunger, poverty, corruption and the campaign to emulate President Ho Chi Minh's moral example.
The 32nd National Television Festival will take place in Vinh city of the central province of Nghe An in 2012.
Celebrities pull stunts with scanty clothes
Since being involved in a scandal seem to be a new recipe for success in the local show business, celebrities and star-wannabes nowadays turn to clothes to help boost their career by gaining a bit more popularity.
Young performers wearing scanty or outrageous outfits have been spotted everywhere in the industry, Tuoi Tre Newspaper wrote in an article on Wednesday.
Most young female singers have given interviews claiming “sexiness and maturity” as their style, and it is not uncommon to see them wearing clothes that intentionally reveal most of their breasts, back, or belly on stage.
Stories and pictures of celebrities in skin-revealing poses also appear in the headlines of popular newswires every day, while a storm of curiosity and criticism follows each news release.
Even if the clothes are not sexy, most of the time these fame-seeking celebrities will opt for other outfits which seriously raise eyebrows for their flamboyance or sparkling decoration, worn solely for the purpose of not being left out or labeled a ‘plain Jane’.
Thuan Viet, a famous ao dai designer, told Tuoi Tre that he was furious at a contestant in the 2011 Vietnam Supermodel competition when she altered the ao dai he designed for her, and other contestants, by applying additional outrageous embellishments in an effort to “stand out from the rest”.
Cong Tri, another well-known designer, said it is not uncommon for his clients to change his designs and wear them at their will, just to grab a bit more attention, although most of the time they can’t do a good a job as the actual fashion expert.
Show business has always been considered a highly competitive industry, and it is understandable that seeking attention is part of the package for many artists, especially young and emerging ones, the newspaper wrote.
And the media, which takes advantage of this thirst for fame to sell its products, is part of the big picture here, it opined.
Many newswires either eagerly embrace the chance to run a catchy headline, or create one themselves by sending photographers to capture celebrities in their most revealing poses in order to increase their page views.
Apparently, pictures of artists in proper (or full) clothes can’t beat the ones without them, thus more celebrities are willing to pull the stunt, knowing full well they will have a channel to publicize their images.
However, the race to be the “most outstanding of them all” has reached a certain absurdity where even the industry, riddled as it is with these clothing scandals, seems to be fed up with these over-publicized stunts.
On December 27th, a meeting held by the Central Performing Art Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will discuss controversial issues in the local show business, including performing artists’ scanty clothes.
Vuong Duy Bien, head of the department, said it would impose stricter rules and penalties on such publicity stunts.
Italian artist to feature mouth harp in Hanoi
A music night of mouth harp by Italian artist Mathias Esnault will take place at the Hanoi Cinematheque at 8:30 p.m. on December 19, according to an announcement on his private web site.
Mathias Esnault, 28, is a mouth harp virtuoso and a passionate collector, who plays and learns how to make the countless different types and styles of mouth harps that exist worldwide.
Starting his trip in Lakutia (Siberia), he scoured the countrysides of Mongolia, China, Laos and northern Vietnam for people who play this instrument.
The style of playing varies totally according to the instrument and its origins.
Starting from some Norwegian-Irish tunes to Chinese electronic sounds ending in a sort of Indian beatbox, his performance is a research of the new inside the old -- a way to rediscover the richness of sounds contained in one of the simplest instruments in the world.
Mathias wrote on his web site, which highlights his project on the instrument, called A travel in Asia meeting the Mouth Harp, that when he was in Vietnam’s Sapa on December 14, he saw a gazebo from which came a delightful music.
“It was a funeral! As they saw me with all my equipment, they invited me to join them, offered me a cup of tea and a leaf of already prepared of betel,” he said. “In the meantime I was recording the music band, made up of a dan bau (Vietnamese monochord), two Dzat (a type of primitive oboe), and two lightning drums of different size.”
Tickets are priced at VND50,000.
Hanoi Cinematheque is located on 22A Hai Ba Trung Street.
Southern antique ceramics exhibition in town
An exhibition on southern antique ceramics is on display at Phu Tho Indoor Stadium in HCMC under the arrangement of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations and the UNESCO center for Vietnam Antiquity Preservation Research.
The exhibition, which was opened on Tuesday, features over 100 porcelain items of such schools as Bien Hoa, Lai Thieu, Cay Mai, Oc Eo, and Saigon Xua alongside former southern residents’ tools, including earthen pots and teapots among others.
Joining the event are well-known members of the center such as Huynh Minh Hiep, Nguyen Anh Tuan, Nguyen Anh Kiet and Nguyen Thi Le.
The event runs until Saturday at 221 Ly Thuong Kiet Street in HCMC’s District 11.
Kid theme park opened in Ho Chi Minh City
The education and entertainment theme park KizCiti for children aged 3 – 15 opened Sunday in District 4, Ho Chi Minh City.
Children will have a chance to work as adults in a replica city complete with a central square, hospital, bank, fire and police stations, airline, food court and engage in more than 40 other interactive occupations.
A special currency called Kizo is used within the city and children will have to work to earn money for their shopping or entertainment.
Parents can keep track of their children as they will be given positioning bracelets. The theme park also designs areas for teenagers and adults such as a mini golf court or bowling alley.
The park is expected to give kids a new playground which combines both playing and learning activities. Organizers also hope to help them learn social and family roles as well as discover and nurture their dream and personal ability.
The KizCiti theme park is located on Hoang Dieu Street, Ward 5, District 4, HCMC. Entry ticket costs VND180,000 per child on a daily basis, VND220,000 during holidays and VND50,000 for each parent.
Children under 3 enjoy free admission.
'Rock Storm' to shake Ho Chi Minh City
Enthusiastic fans in the Rock Storm show that took place in Da Nang on December 3. Photo by Dieu Hien.
After appearing in six other cities across Vietnam, the "Rock Storm 2011" show will end with a live performance in Ho Chi Minh City’s Stadium in Military Zone 7 on December 23.
The show will feature local rock bands including Quai vat ti hon (Tiny monsters,) Black Infinity, K.O.P, I-Tễu. One band remains unknown will be the last participant in the show.
The organizer of Rock Storm 2011 announced that it will release around 20,000 tickets at a price of VND20,000 (US$1).
All the profits gained from the music tour will be donated to the charity fund of the Central Delegation for studious students and support the local Operation Smile.
Hanoi builds new street on 1,000-year-old site
Important archaeological items have been found in a construction site to build several new streets, namely Van Cao- Hoang Hoa Tham – Ho Tay, in Hanoi.
After one month of excavation, the site has finally been confirmed to be a part of the Thang Long Imperial Palace, which dates back to a period as early as the 9th century, when the Ly Dynasty ruled the area.
The 200 square-meter archeological site that has been revealed was once a part of the palace’s outer walls, which were well constructed, the researcher said.
Around the site a large number of ancient metal wares, potteries, coins, and other items belonging to different historical eras from the Ly Dynasty to the Le So Dynasty, a period stretching between the 15th and 18th centuries were also dug up.
However, the research team will have to return the site to construction workers on December 21st, according to a contract signed earlier by both of the parties.
The contractors want to fill in the site and continue their construction after all of the items are taken from the site.
An archeologist said that, according to Vietnam’s Heritage Law, both excavation funding and deciding the timeline of a site under construction are ironically decided by contractors, who are apparently only concerned with their own interests.
The Thang Long Imperial Palace, which was recognized by UNESCO as a World Historical Site in 2010, is known for symbolizing a continuation of history, culture and construction techniques through different dynasties from the Ly to the Le So, he said.
The original royal palaces and most of the structures of the Thang Long Imperial City (which the city was called before the name ‘Hanoi; appeared) were destroyed in the late 19th century, and the ruins are still being excavated today.
Hanoi’s People Committee, who should have a say on the situation, has yet to make any comment.
Two Beethoven concerts slated for this week
A Beethoven concert will be held at Saigon Technology University on Wednesday night and another will take place 24 hours later at District 11’s Cultural Center.
The two concerts will feature violinist Ho Dang Hoi, cellist Nguyen Tan Anh, composer Do Kien Cuong and the HCMC Symphony Orchestra. The participating artists will perform four works by Beethoven, including Symphony No. 2 in D major featuring Adagio molto, Allegro con brio Larghetto, Scherzo Allegro and Allegro molto.
Composer Do Kien Cuong will present two of his pieces – Ve lang (Returning to the village) and Bien khuc ly ngua o (Ly ngua o variation) in the concerts.
Saigon Technology University is located at 180 Cao Lo Street in District 8 while District 11’s Cultural Center is at 179 ABCD Binh Thoi in HCMC.
A series of free Beethoven concerts have been launched by local artists, musicians and conductors in a bid to introduce the great German classical composer’s works to the public.
Jazz master Nguyen Le performs in Hanoi and HCMC
After a successful show in Hanoi on July, Vietnamese-French jazz artist Nguyen Le will bring his Que Nha (hometown) show to audiences in Hanoi again and HCMC on three nights of December 25, 27 and 28.
The show with the participation of leading Vietnamese artists including My Linh, Tung Duong, Anh Em band, T’rung artist Van Anh, drummer Quoc Binh, bassist Vu Ha, pianist Tuan Nam and saxophonist Hong Kien will be directed by People’s Artist Tran Binh and produced by musician Huy Tuan.
Nguyen Le, son of historian Le Thanh Khoi, can play numerous musical instruments including drum, electronic guitar, zither and monochord. In 1987-1989 he was one of the guitarists of the French jazz orchestra. He has worked with many famous artists such as Didier Lockwood, Carla Bley, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gil Evans and Quincy Jones. He founded Ultramarine in 1983 and released a number of successful CDs.
In 1996, he released ‘Tales from Vietnam’, in which Le combines jazz with Vietnamese folk music. The CD is globally acknowledged as a masterpiece and won numerous awards such as Diapason d’Or, Choc du Monde de la Musique, Choc de I’année Jazzman and was runner-up at Jazzthing 96.
His shows will take place at 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Opera House in Hanoi and at 8 p.m. on December 27 and 28 at the City Opera House in HCMC.
Tickets are priced at VND600,000, VND900,000, VND1.3 million, VND1.5 million, VND1.7 million, VND2 million, VND2.2 million and VND2.5 million at the two opera houses.
For further information, access the website dongdoshow.com or call on 0914 387 757, 0944 077 992 and 04 8586 9333.
Top Vietnamese violinist to cheer up festive season
Leading Vietnamese violinist Bui Cong Duy will play several famous Christmas tunes to get Ha Noi in the festive spirit at the monthly music programme Music Space this weekend.
Duy, who was honoured with the Most Talented Violinist award at the Concours Autumn 1990, and then won the Tchaikovsky International Music Contest for young violinists in Saint Petersburg in 1997, will perform Silent Night, Joy to the World, and White Christmas.
Songstress Nguyen Thao and young Vietnamese-Canadian singer Hoa Tran are among other artists who will perform at the show.
Music Space will take place at the Nguy Nhu Kon Tum auditorium, 19 Le Thanh Tong Street at 7.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost between VND1-2 million and are available at www.khonggianamnhac.com.
Single mothers' voices to be heard at exhibition
An exhibition throughout December at the Viet Nam Women's Museum, 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, presents photographs and stories of 18 single mothers from suburban Soc Son District in Ha Noi. As part of a collaboration project with the Finnish Embassy, the women received training and cameras and photographed themselves and important subjects in their lives.
More than 1,000 photos were submitted, of which 100 are on display at the museum. The stories reveal the individual hardships each woman has faced raising children as a single parent.
The exhibit delves into community perceptions and treatment of single mothers, how those attitudes have changed, and what the women hope for in the future.
BBQ fundraiser for Blue Dragon to raise awareness
Sky Cafe is teaming up with the Garden Shopping Centre to host a BBQ fundraiser for Blue Dragon – an NGO working with street kids, victims of trafficking, children with disabilities and families living in extreme poverty who cannot afford to send their children to school.
The event will take place from 11am-3pm, on Saturday, at the Garden Shopping Mall's carpark on Me Tri Road, Tu Liem District.
Yule-tide sale to boost local craft
Mekong Quilts and Mekong Creations, both non-profit organisations specialising in locally produced household and gift items, are offering customers up to 70 per cent discount on a wide range of items until December 31.
So for any last minute Christmas presents, customers should hurry down to the store at 141 Bui Vien Street, District 1, open every day 10am-8pm, for some brilliant yule tide bargains.
Disadvantaged to share in Christmas spirit
Helping Hand Sai Gon (HHSG), a group of local Vietnamese, overseas Vietnamese and expats united in their commitment to improve the situation of disadvantaged communities in Viet Nam, are holding the HHSG Xmas Sharing programme to share the spirit and joy of the festival with disadvantaged kids around HCM and Bien Hoa cities on Saturday and Sunday.
Donations collected will be used to have Santa Claus deliver gift packages worth VND70,000 each, consisting of school supplies like notebooks, pens, pencils, cookies and candles.
For more information, contact Jodie Huynh at 0902 707 967 or email: helpinghandsaigon@gmail.com.
French animation heads for Vietnamese screen
IDECAF will screen the 2005 French animation feature film Kirikou et les Betes Sauvages (Kirikou and the Wild Beasts) with Vietnamese-subtitles at 3pm on Saturday, for just VND15,000 per ticket.
The film premiered at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.
IDECAF is located at 28 LeThanh Ton Street, District 1.
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