Sculpture camp strengthens Vietnam – Laos friendship

A sculpture camp entitled ‘Vietnam – Laos Friendship’ opened on October 3 in Long Chau Village, Phung Chau Commune, Chuong My District, Hanoi.

The camp, organised by the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibitions under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, marks the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties (1962-2012) and 35 years since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Co-operation Treaty (1977 – 2012).

The event attracted ten Vietnamese sculptors and five from Laos who are working on 15 stone statues 1.5 - 2 metres tall.

The works producted during the camp represent the special solidarity and friendship between the two nations in their struggles for national liberation and to build strong, prosperous countries.

The camp aims to strengthen friendship and boost cultural exchanges between the two countries and co-operation in the fine arts, in addition to offering a good opportunity for sculptors to meet and share ideas about creating works praising the Vietnam – Laos friendship.

Once completed, the sculptures will be presented as special gifts to Laos and displayed at the Lao National School of Fine Arts in Vientiane.

MTV finds its Viet Nam VJ through talent contest

Nguyen Hoang Phuc, 24, a popular model who has been the face of many brands, has won MTV VJ Camp, a reality show to pick a young video jockey for MTV in Viet Nam.

He beat the challenges of Hoang Tu Linh, 22, a semi-finalist in Vietnam's Got Talent this year, and actress Nguyen Vu Nha Phuong, 23.

The contest comprised of interviewing famous people, audience members, and presenting a flashmob dance.

They were judged by former model Thuy Hanh, former MTV Asia VJ Utt Panichkul of Thailand, and Holly Grabarek of Singapore who won the MTV VJ Hunt in 2010.

Filipino jazz singer performs at Caravelle Hotel

Mariedel Mapile from the Philippines is singing both familiar and obscure jazz songs at the Caravelle Hotel's Saigon Saigon Bar beginning this month.

Known for her warm and sexy voice and great skills, Mapile is accompanied by two pianists. With more than 10 years of experience as a professional singer, she began her career as a lead singer for pop bands in Manila, and later performed in the city's top hotels.

She performs every Tuesday night from 9pm till midnight at the bar at 19 Lam Son Square in District 1.

Metal bands to rock Saigon Deathfest

Eight metal bands from Viet Nam and other Asian countries will rock the city at Saigon Deathfest on Saturday.

Bands include Asilent from Singapore, Down From The Wound from the Philippines, Blood Legion from Malaysia, Gotsu Totsu Kotsu and Hydrophobia from Japan, as well as famous local bands Disgusted, Wuu and Polar Lost.

The event will begin from 1pm at the District 11 Culture House on 622 Lac Long Quan Street. For tickets, call 0935196388 or 0932283366. Pre-sale tickets cost VND200,000, and tickets at the door are VND250,000.

German business group to put on Oktoberfest

The German Business Association (GBA) will host the 20th Oktoberfest Vietnam featuring German cuisine and culture at Windsor Plaza Hotel on Friday and Saturday. It will also take place at the hotel on October 9 and October 13.

Originating from Munich, the Oktoberfest will offer traditional German food, beer and games, and live pop and folk music performed by German band Steirerbluat.

The event will be held at 6pm at 18 An Duong Vuong Street in District 5. Tickets cost VND860,000 during the week and VND1,100,000 on the weekend.

Australian embassy to give away iPad in logo design contest

A competition to create a logo has been launched by the Australian embassy at the University of Industrial Fine Arts in Ha Noi, with an iPad 3 as the prize for the best design.

The competition will run from October to November to seek creative designs for the logo marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Viet Nam in 2013.

The logo will be used at Australian Government events and in publications marking the anniversary. In addition to the iPad 3 for the competition winner, the creator of the most "liked" logo on Facebook will receive an iPod.

Logo competition rules can be found on the embassy website.

A new "Australia in Viet Nam" Facebook page has also been launched.

Swing Quartet presents jazz accordion concert

The Swing Quartet, a team of French and Vietnamese musicians, will present a jazz accordion concert at the IDECAF theatre in HCM City next Friday.

It will feature young accordion player Thibault Dille, winner of the renowned Toots Thielemans Award, Bruxelles 2010.

The quartet, with Dille on the accordion, Nguyen Tien Manh on the piano, Christophe Hache on contrabass and Nguyen Hung Cuong on percussion, was established in Ha Noi two years ago.

In the upcoming concert, the quartet will perform swing tunes by famous French composers like Gus Viseur, Marcel Azzola and Richard Galliano.

The concert is organised by The Antenna, a culture and co-operation agency in HCM City, and the Institute for Cultural Exchanges with France (IDECAF). It will begin at 8pm.

The IDECAF Theatre is located at 31 Thai Van Lung, District 1. Tickets costing VND100,000 (50 per cent discount for students) can be bought at the venue.

VNN/VNS/ND