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A research on Diqing in Yunnan province as the real life prototype of the fictional Shangri-La is gradually winning approval, and visitors to the place have found the proposition convincing, having seen its geography, natural scenery and the habits and customs of the people living there.

The Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture Folk Singing and Dancing Troupe together with the renowned recording producer and photographer Aik Yew Goh will produce the performance "Song of Shangri-La". A group, comprising over a dozen of instrumentalists, singers and dancers have taken a long time to rehearse for this performance, will present the most original and authentic music from the land purported to be Shangri-La.

The performances are capable of breaking away from the ethnicity of Diqing and taking on elements of "World Music". Featuring in the programme will be the colorful costume of the people, and the photographs of Aik Yew Goh which were taken at Diqing over a number of years. Handsome male and beautiful female performers will sing and dance in praise of their homeland, at the time displaying the multicolored, exotic costumes of their people. These will be accompanied by slides to assist the audience's initiation into the land of the Shangri-La. The veil over this mysterious land is going to be removed, thereby adding new vitality to their lives in the real world.

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Song of Shangri-La" will be staged on June 7 and 9 (Friday and Sunday) at 8 pm at the Yuen Long Theatre Auditorium and Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium respectively.

Programmes include Xianzi Chorus (song and dance) "Alagamu" and "The Golden Sun"; Eulogy to Our Home (song) "Utopia Is Not Far Away" and "Yangzhou Jiangshao"; Guozhang (song) of three songs; The Riba Dance; The Handsome and the Beautiful (song) "Cilicimu" and "The Man from Kangba"; Drinking Songs "Let Us Make a Toast" and "A Propitious Song"; Mother's Song "Dear Mother" and "Mother's Daughter"; Mountain Song "A Mountain Song" and "Tacheng Riba"; Labourers' Call (song) "Song of Wall-building" and "Akedachapimu"; Love Songs "Love Divination" and "Missing". In addition, dance piece "The Circling Skirts", Xianzi dance and costume parade will be performed.

Three free programmes are also organized in relations to this performance. The first activity, "Song of Shangri-La" Photo Exhibition will demonstrate the works of Shangri-La by Aik Yew Goh. It starts from May 14 to 26 at the Tsuen Wan Town Hall Foyer; May 22 to 31 at the Yuen Long Theatre Foyer and May 28 to June 5 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Foyer.

"Music and Photo Seminar on Shangri-La", the second activity, will be held on June 2 (Sun) at 3 pm at the Rehearsal Room GR3, 8th Floor of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. Aik Yew Goh will explore his insights in Cantonese during the seminar. It is free for admission with limited seats and on a first-come-first-served basis.

The third activity "Song of Shangri-La" Plaza Performance will be held on June 8 (Sat) at 3 pm at the Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza. It will feature the cultural highlights of the most original and authentic music and dance of Shangri-La.

Tickets priced at $140, $110 and $80 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-priced concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients. (Limited tickets for Students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients available on a first-come-first-served basis). There will be a 10% discount for every purchase of 4-9 tickets, 15% for 10-19 tickets and 20% for 20 tickets or more. A 10% discount is also available for Friends of LCSD performing venues.

In addition, members of the public are welcomed to hire the Box Seats and Lounge Package for private gathering for Tsuen Wan Town Hall's performance. Interested parties could check the details at 2268 7225. Limited sale packages are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Programme enquiries can be made on 2268 7323 while ticketing enquiries and reservations on 2734 9009. For credit card telephone booking, please call 2111 5999. Please visit http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp for more information on the programme.

End/Wednesday, May 8, 2002

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