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The biennial New Vision Arts Festival, in its fifth appearance, will again this year introduce some of Asia's most creative artists along with a host of international stars and an array of pioneering productions that bring innovative cross-cultural and multi-media experiences to Hong Kong audiences.
Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the New Vision Arts Festival will run from October 15 to November 21.
Opening the festival is "Hear the WorldĦDDadawa in Concert 2010ĦDHK". Appointed as National Goodwill Ambassador for China by the United Nations Development Programme, China's global music diva Dadawa recently covered 20,000 kilometres gathering songs and music on a musical exploration tour. In the concert, she will team up with top ethnic musicians and Chinese and Western virtuosi to present alluring evenings of beautiful and pure voices. The concert will be held on October 15 and 16 at Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
The closing performance is a kunqu opera, "The Peony Pavilion (Sino-Japanese version)" starring Bando Tamasaburo, Japan's most celebrated onnagata, an actor specialising in female roles in kabuki, who will perform with Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre of Jiangsu Province. Tamasaburo externalises the heroine's emotions with a feeling that transcends cognition, a quality that typifies Japanese theatre. For this festival, Tamasaburo is joined by outstanding young performer Yu Jiulin and the production features seven scenes from the original play. The programme will be staged from November 19 to 21 at Kwai Tsing Theatre.
Budgie, the legendary British drummer from rock band Siouxsie And The Banshees, links up with Japanese taiko master Leonard Eto and acclaimed South African drummer Mabi to form Triptych, a collaboration of East-West percussion. Teamed up with Japanese top rock guitarist Sugizo from superbands Luna Sea and X Japan, and New York's renowned atmospheric guitarist Knox Chandler, the group will perform in the vibrant show "The Butterfly Effect: East-West Percussive Parade".
Mainland rock masters Dou Wei, Zhang Chu, Wang Yong and Wang Fan, Japan's electronic music maestro Yoshihiro Hanno, Sweden's jazz pioneer Jonas Hellborg, Hong Kong's Dickson Dee and the NEW Quartet, together with renowned movie director Zhu Wen, will bring a musical extravaganza into live cinema with sci-fi, suspense and comedy in the cultural crossover "Mars News Ensemble".
Produced by GuoGuang Opera Company of Taiwan, modern Peking opera "The Golden Cangue" was one of the 10 best performances at Taiwan's 5th Taishin Arts Awards. It is a strikingly beautiful work showcasing the magical stage presence of Peking opera diva Wei Hai-min who recreates a "character in the round", illuminating the protagonist's thoughts and struggles through fluid changes of scene and space.
Performed by Ensemble Modern from Germany, one of the world's leading contemporary music ensembles, the concert "into Pearl River Delta" features new pieces by five celebrated composers who visited cities in the Pearl River Delta and transformed their experiences into music. The programme creates an edgy soundscape of urban life, reflecting the cultural diversity of modern cities with surround sound effects and video projections.
The festival will also feature:
* Edward Lam Dance Theatre's "Grand Expectations"
* Chunky Move (Australia) in "Mortal Engine"
* Xinxin Nanguan Ensemble of Taiwan & Lukas Hemleb (France) in "Feather"
* Tang Shu-wing Theatre Studio and Drama Box (Singapore) in "The Next Generations"
* JAM & JY's "SandĦDMoon: Jamming Muqam"
* Guangdong Modern Dance Company and Hong Kong New Music Ensemble's "Mr. Vampire"
* Zuni Icosahedron's "The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci"
* Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's "Guo Wenjing's Dizi Concerto No. 2"
* Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's "The Mystic Realm"
Apart from performances, the festival also offers multi-media installations, workshops, lecture demonstrations, meet-the-artists sessions and outdoor performances.
Tickets for the New Vision Arts Festival are available at URBTIX outlets from tomorrow (August 13). Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Group booking and package discounts of up to 20% are available.
Programme brochures are available at URBTIX outlets or at the website, www.newvisionfestival.gov.hk.
For programme enquiries, call 2370 1044. Credit card telephone bookings: 2111 5999. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Thursday, August 12, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:41
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