Art exchange in tribute to martyrs

An art exchange in tribute to martyrs was live broadcast on VTV2 channel from the Hanoi Opera House on July 24.

The event, co-organized by the Vietnam Association for Assistance to Martyrs Families, the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), Vietnam Television and the Vietnam National Communication Group, marked the 65th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27).

Present were National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, former Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, and many guests of honour.

The audience had the chance to hear stories from lieutenant-general Nguyen Duy Quyet who had helped hundreds of families in the search for remains of fallen combatants, and Nguyen Thi Chat, a Hanoian had engaged in finding martyrs’ graves.

The organizing board called on mass organizations and individuals to assist martyrs’ families ADN tests and send SMSs to 1408.

The Vietnam Association for Assistance to Martyrs Families said it has provided 20 houses of gratitude, 150 savings books, and hundreds of gifts and scholarships to martyrs’ families in more than 40 cities and provinces across the country.

Japanese rapper set for performance in Ha Noi

Many Ha Noi fans will get their first chance to see rapper Coma-Chi's perform at a one-night performance on late next month by the Club for Arts and Music Appreciation (CAMA) in collaboration with the Japan Foundation.

The artist will rap and sing and DJ the show, which includes hit music that helped her build reputation in 2003.

She is known for her freestyle street rapping – and for showing the boys how it's done on the sidewalk.

Coma-Chi's first solo album Day Before Blue in 2006 was influenced by 1990s hip hop.

The album hit the top of the Japanese music charts in its first week of release.

Coma-Chi's efforts were recognised by Blast Magazine, which listed her as one of the Ten Future Japanese Rappers to watch in 2007.

The Ha Noi show will kick off at 9pm on August 23 at 73 Mai Hac De Street. Tickets cost VND50,000. Students with a valid card will be allowed in free of charge.

AmCham hosts summer networking event

American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) members and their friends are invited to enjoy a summer networking happy hour tomorrow at the Silk Path Hotel in Ha Noi. A VND100,000 admission gets guests three drinks plus some light snacks. No registration is needed. Just show up and meet some new faces. Anyone is welcome to bring friends, family and colleagues to the event. The event starts at 6pm at 195 Hang Bong Street.

Bass party asks: how low can you go?

Local collective Sub Elements continue their regular bass parties with a bash at Chez Xuan on Saturday. From the more concrete sounds of deep house, garage and basement-low bass, to the figurative spaces of reggae, dub and dubstep, expect to enter a journey of sound. The DJs and selectors include Unconventional Science from Los Angeles, Slo-Lo from Da Lat and Tung Do from Ha Noi. The party starts at 8pm at No 41, Lane 76, An Duong Street, Tay Ho District. Admission is VND50,000 at the door.

Take time to ‘zen out' by Hoan Kiem Lake

All are welcome to join a positive meditation meet-up to promote Love, Happiness, and Unity on Sunday from noon-1pm in front of Ly Thai To Statute by Hoan Kiem Lake. The event has been designed to suit anyone. It's doesn't matter who you are, what you do, how old or young you are, where you from, feel free to come and join in.

Etherium Sky Films offers acting training

Etherium Sky Films, an award-winning, multicultural production company, will launch a 12-week intensive acting course, targeting anyone who wishes to start a career in film, TV or stage. The will be taught by Western lecturers and award-winning directors and is intended for adult Westerners and Vietnamese who can communicate in English. A free info session will be held on Sunday from 2-3pm on the second floor of the Hi! Language School, 285 Doi Can Street. Telephone 0432321818 or visit www.etheriumsky.com for more information about the course and its instructors as well as the course outline.

Toyota Concert all set for Opera House

The Toyota Vietnam Foundation will host its annual Toyota Concert at the HCM City Opera House on August 1.

The concert features Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji, Vietnamese violinist Bui Cong Duy, singer Trinh Thang Binh, and the Viet Nam National Symphony Orchestra.

Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards Toyota Scholarships for young Vietnamese music talents.

The show will begin at 8pm at 7 Lam Son Square in District 1. Tickets costing VND200,000-500,000, and VND100,000 for students, are available at the venue.

VN idol singer launches new single

Singer Thao Trang will host a launch party for her new single Party All Night composed by Duong Khac Linh and Antoneues Maximus at Lush on July 28.

Trang, who shot to fame at the 2007 Viet Nam Idol, will sing some of hit songs at the party.

With her powerful voice and ability to sing in both Vietnamese and English, she is very popular among Vietnamese youths and expats.

The event begins at 8.30pm at 2 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1.

London Olympic Games live at Legend Hotel

Legend Hotel Saigon will broadcast live the London Olympic Games on a 150-inch screen at its Oggi Steak and Bar from July 27 to August 12.

The restaurant will offer a discount of VND20,000 on each glass of beer and wine and serve snacks and appetisers during the screening.

Australian comedians to perform at bar

Australian comedian Roger Ronney, who is touring Malaysia, Laos and Viet Nam, will perform at Bernie's Bar, 19 Thai Van Lung Street, in District 1, tonight.

The event will also feature Jack Perry, a two-time finalist in Australia's RAW Comedy competition.

The show will begin at 9pm. Entry is free.

National book prize attracts 31 publishers

Thirty-one publishing houses have registered for this year’s book award, according to Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Do Quy Doan, chairman of the Vietnam Publishers Association, VietnamPlus reports.

Of the 225 books handed in by participants, 135 are after the title of ‘good book’ and 90 books entered the beautiful title section.

At the meeting for the deployment of the 2012 Vietnam Book Prize last week, the deputy minister said this is the eighth year of the event with standards improving every year.

The preliminary round starts from now until October 5, in which judging units will remark and grade candidate books and then finalize the list of nominations for the final round from October 6-30. The final decision on finalists is subject to the Vietnam Book Prize Council, with the award ceremony to take place in November.

VNN/VOV/VNS/SGT