Celebrate China: Chengdu Performing Arts Showcase

www.phoenixsistercities.org

This was strange performance:  11 different artists mixing classical instruments, magic, dance, and twangy-Chinese song.  Overall, this was a fun sampling of Chinese musical culture and an interesting evening.

I enjoyed the dancers the most and was highly impressed by the different styles and stories the women were able to portray.  A youth group from Chandler stole the show with their “Impression of the Wa Mountain” – a lively dance with hair and hands and acrobatics.  The Sichuan Opera Face Changing was also impressive; two men were able to almost instantaneously change their masks with a magical and exaggerated aesthetic. 

The singing was my least favorite, a highpitched, twangy Chinese sound without much appeal to my Westernized ears.  The woman were highly regarded and very talented – but they each performed at least one song too long.

I enjoyed the variety of the show while disliking the lack of flow or transitions.  This was a group of individual artists thrown together into one show seemingly at random.  But I enjoyed the exposure to this unique city.

Kuniko Yamamoto: Magical Mask, Mime, and Music of Japan

www.kunikotheater.com

MIM:  Welcome to Kuniko Yamamoto’s Japanese storytelling!  This afternoon, she will share Japanese myths and folktales and bring them to life with masks, mime, music, origami, and even a touch of magic.

A native or Japan, Kuniko Yamamoto started performing professionally in her hometown of Osaka and, in 1985, received national exposure performing in Kansai Telecasting Corporation.  She traveled to the United States to study with Tony Montanaro the following year, later touring with the Leland Faulkner Light Theatre to present ancient Japanese tales with shadows and magic.  Since creating her solo show, she has toured across the United States, appearing at Epcot/Disney, the Kennedy Center, and the National Storytelling Festival.

This was not technically a music concert.  A Father’s Day matinee, this show was geared towards families and Kuniko was a master showman at drawing in the audience and delighting children.  She is a storyteller above all else, and her musical skill was only a part of the overall show. 

I loved her origami portion of the show.  She cleverly modified the folds and paper to create images for her story – one piece of paper became a boat or bird or hat. 

I also enjoyed the many families – grandparents, fathers, and happy children – that were at the show today!  It really was a special Father’s Day show.  I wished Elayna was a little older so she could have enjoy this as well!

Spirit of Nature

MIM:  “Mistress of the pipa” Goa Hong and acclaimed Chinese flutist Chen Tao come together for an unforgettable performance.

I suppose the sounds and harmonies of traditional Silk and Bamboo Chinese music are familiar.  Even Elayna would recognize the instrumental melodies from “Kung Fu Panda”.  Nevertheless, I’ve never heard the instruments performed before and was looking forward to this show.

The performers had a pre-arranged set list and gave detailed introductions to their instruments and songs.  They took us on a journey around China and played several solo and duet songs.  The entire show was delicate, relaxed, soothing, and beautiful. 

A highlight for me was Chen Tao’s demonstration of the Xun, one of China’s oldest instruments that dates back to the Stone Age.  This was a small clay pot, blown across, with anywhere from 1 to 5 holes.

Gao Hong also described the pipa in detail – a Chinese lute.  This instrument was designed to mimic sounds:  drums, gongs, laughing, water, fireworks.  It was extraordinary the types of noises she could create with one instrument.

There was one downside:  the instruments were so soft and the mood so somber that guests were hyper-sensitive to disruptions.  One of our frequent guests was asked to leave because his oxygen tank was disturbing others.  I don’t like the idea that someone can’t enjoy the show, but I also was very annoyed that guests would complain about something like oxygen.  This job is always a learning experience in human behavior!