EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 10-20 (daily updated) Dance Dance Asia – Crossing the Movements 14 and 15 Mar 2015, 8 pm Youth Theatre 11 Ngo Thi Nham, Hanoi The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam proudly presents Japanese dance performances which are based on street dance by three groups, “Moreno Funk Sixers”, “Memorable Moment” and “90’s” on 14th and 15th of March at Youth Theatre. The Japan Foundation Asia Center starts a long-term ASEAN project named “Dance Dance Asia” from 2015 to support the exchange and collaboration of Asian regional dance companies / dancers that are based on street dance, including not only hip-hop but variety of genres such as jazz dance, contemporary dance, etc. Since it was introduced in Japan in the 1970s, within just 40 years, street dance has become one of the most popular dance genres, and the number of dance studio and practitioners has increased significantly. Rhythm dance has now incorporated into the school education through the subject of “modern rhythm dance”, and have become familiar subject to many young people. In addition, since the beginning of the 2000s, dance companies based on street dance techniques are starting to make a full length piece inside the theatre, with unique direction and creation along with their dance skills, became popular movement and thought to be the rising new genre in the performing arts industry. At the same time, street dance has been growing in popularity in other countries of Asia, and dancers are starting to build network within these countries through dance battles and contests. Gaining the momentum of these movements, The Japan Foundation Asia Center, together with PARCO Co., Ltd., is cooperating together to produce “Dance Dance Asia” project to foster the original production in the theatre based on and inspired by street dance, and promote the exchange by street dance in Asia, aiming to play a vital role for a new cultural creation in the Asian region. This program contains not only stage performance but also workshop. Japanese dancers get to know Vietnamese dancers through the workshop and explore the possibility of future collaboration. Workshops will be held on March 12, 13, 14 & 15, twice per each group. On the stage, they will perform their new pieces by various styles like Jazz, Hip-Hop, Break, House, Pop and Lock. Free ticket distribution from 2 pm on Thursday 5 March onward at The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam 27 Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00 (Sunday closed) *Please refrain from taking children under 6 years old to the concert. Artist Talk with Christiane Campioni and Tobias Kuester-Campioni Concerning their Exhibition Harvest-Moon Thu 19 Mar 2015, 7 pm Goethe-Institut Hanoi 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh, Hanoi In March the Goethe-Institut Hanoi presents the exhibition Harvest Moon by husband-and-wife artist duo Christiane Campioni and Tobias Küster-Campioni, with large-format works of lacquer on metal and wood. The artists will explain this special technique, inspired by traditional Vietnamese lacquer painting, in an artist talk at Goethe Institut Hanoi during which they will also present other works, for example from the field of interior design. In 2009 Christiane Campioni’s practical interest in the technique of lacquer painting was re-awakened. Her husband, the architect Tobias Küster-Campioni, encountered a small company in Uzbekistan that applies metal powder mixed with a bonding agent to wall surfaces, which after drying are ground and polished. Campioni combined this with traditional Vietnamese lacquer painting techniques. Metals such as zinc, copper, iron, brass, bronze or steel are utilized to develop paintings combining different metals with inlays of eggshell, mother of pearl, bamboo or wood veneer. The Campionis are the only ones in the world using liquid metal in this special way. Biography Christiane Campioni & Tobias Küster-Campioni The husband-and-wife artists Christiane Campioni and Tobias Küster-Campioni live and work in Erfurt, Germany with their two sons, where they run a small gallery. After graduating with a degree in conservation and restoration of art and cultural assets in Dresden, Christiane Campioni studied in Hanoi and learned the techniques of traditional Vietnamese lacquer painting. She also published a guide to the profession of restorer. In 2005 Tobias Küster-Campioni was awarded the architecture prize of the Technical University of Dresden for excellence (urban development). Since 2014 he is guest lecturer for interior design and theory at the Hanoi Architectural University in Vietnam. Free entrance. VNSO 2015 Season Opening Concert 11 and 12 Mar 2015, 8 pm Hanoi Opera House 1 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội You are invited to VNSO 2015 Season Opening Concert with: Conductor: Honna Tetsuji Oboe: Stephan Shili and the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra Trong Bang Poem Symphony “Nguoi ve dem toi niem vui” Richard Strauss Oboe Concerto D-major Richard Strauss Don Juan op.20 Richard Strauss Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche op.28-Vietnam Premiere Summer 1945: the world of Richard Strauss literally lay in ruins. “To banish the boredom of idle hours, since one cannot play skat all day”, he composed – as a “wrist exercise” – one of the most important works for oboe: the Concerto for Oboe and Small Orchestra. To open their new season the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Hanoi, will present this important work, among others. The famous German oboist Stefan Schilli from Munich has been invited to perform the solo part of the Oboe Concerto. This concert is a continuation of the Richard Strauss Cycle, in which a selection of works by this important composer are being performed for the first time in Vietnam. The concert evening will begin with the overture “Nguoi ve dem toi ngay vui” (“They who brought happiness to us”) by the Vietnamese composer Trong Bang, who dedicated this work to former president Ho Chi Minh. This will be followed by three pieces from Richard Strauss: first the Oboe Concerto, a work that is thoroughly chamber music, full of joy and reminiscences of the life’s work of a great composer, but a great challenge for the soloist. The symphonic poems “Don Juan” and “Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche” follow. Passionate and full of dark romanticism, “Don Juan” illustrates the character of the womanizer. “Till Eulenspiegel”, in contrast, is cheeky and fleet-footed when describing the folk hero’s merry pranks. Tickets Ticket prices: 200000, 350000, 500000 VND. All tickets available at Hanoi Opera House or can book online at vnso.org.vn. For free delivery Call: 0913489858, 0983067996. Film Screening “Une Bouteille à la Mer” Fri 13 Mar 2015, 8 pm L’Espace 24 Trang Tien, Hanoi You are invited to the film screening “A Bottle in the Gaza Sea” (France, 2010, 99 mins) directed by Thierry Binisti. For more information about synopsis, please see L’Espace website (in French) or refer to the Vietnamese version of this post. Language: French with Vietnamese subtitle. Tickets Ticket price: 40 000 VND Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 20 000 VND Tickets are available at L’Espace. Performance of German – Vietnamese Hip Hop-Project: Connect 12 and 13 Mar 2015, 8 pm Labor Theater 42 Trang Tien, Hanoi On the occasion of the visit of German Foreign Minister Frank-Walther Steinmeier and the 40th anniversary of German-Vietnamese diplomatic relations, the Goethe-Institut Hanoi brings a new Hip-Hop production to the stage. The Berlin Hip-Hop dancer and choreographer Raphael Hillebrand first met Khan Linh Pham in May 2004 at the legendary Battle during the ASEM Summit, in which the local B-Boy Scene competed with the German and French visitors. This encounter marked the beginning of their artistic cooperation. Their first joint production, Nhieu Mat.Faces was realized in 2008 at the invitation of the Goethe-Institut and in 2011 went on tour in Europe. Khan Linh Pham and his Crew S.I.N.E. have meanwhile repeatedly been awarded the title Best B-Boy Crew of South East Asia, and Raphael Hillebrand has further developed his vision of Hip-Hop in various theaters and by completing studies in choreography. Now Raphael Hillebrand and Khan Linh Pham once again together bring a piece to the stage based on choreography by S.I.N.E. The focus will be on the use of light, space and movement. They will be supported by the dance-media-artist Christian “Mio” Loclair, who previously worked with Raphael Hillebrand on the production POW_2045. Artistically innovative lighting design and sound technology will provide an extraordinary audio-visual experience. Biographies Raphael Hillebrand began his career as a Hip-Hop dancer in Berlin, and has won numerous B-Boy-Battles (including Battle of the Year 2006, IBE in Rotterdam). At the same time he participated in theater productions, initially as performer, then increasingly in collective creations and today as choreographer and dancer, for Goethe-Institut, HAU, Radialsystem, Schauspielhaus Bochum und Theater Freiburg, among others. Raphael Hillebrand studied choreography at the Inter-University Centre for Dance Berlin (HZT) from 2012 to 2014. He toured Central America in 2014 with his graduation production POW_2045. S.I.N.E Crew The Vietnamese dancers of S.I.N.E Crew made it to the semi-finals of the international breakdance competition Battle of the Year 2014. The group, made up of the best B-Boys in Vietnam, was founded in 2011. Their slogan “Saying is not enough” clearly indicates the energy of the dancers, which they have impressively demonstrated in international events such as R16 and Floor Wars. Free Tickets are available from 05.03.2015, 2 pm at Goethe-Institut Hanoi.    Film Screening “Marius” Fri 20 Mar 2015, 8 pm L’Espace 24 Trang Tien, Hanoi You are invited to the film screening “Marius” (France, 2013, 93 mins), an adaptation of Marcel Pagnol’s trilogy with the first part – Marius and directed by Daniel Auteuil. The film truly reflects and revives the charm of the original work. We can drift to a sun-drenched story or stay docked to the stories of another time filmed without invention. For more information about synopsis, please see L’Espace website (in French) or refer to the Vietnamese version of this post. Language: French with Vietnamese subtitle. Tickets Ticket price: 40 000 VND Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 20 000 VND Tickets are available at L’Espace. Spring Gala 2015 Concert and Ballet 13 and 14 Mar 2015, 8 pm Hanoi Opera House 1 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội You are invited to Spring Gala 2015 Concert and Ballet with: Artistic Director: People’s Artist Pham Anh Phuong Conductor: Dong Quang Vinh and the Hanoi International Choit, VNOB Choir, Dancers and the Orchestra of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet Program Part I Overture “William Tell” (G.Rossini) – VNOB symphony orchestra Aria “Che Gelida Manina” from the Opera “La Boheme” (G.Puccini) – Tenor: Anh Vũ Aria “Mein Herr Marquis” from the Operetta “Die Fledermaus” (J.Strauss) – Mezzo Soprano: Vành Khuyên “Thunder and Lightning Polka” (J.Strauss) – VNOB symphony orchestra Aria “Et Incarnatus Est” from “Mass in c minor” (W.A.Mozart) – Soprano: Thăng Long Duet “Papagena – Papageno” from the Opera “Magic Flute” – Baritone: Mạnh Dũng; Soprano: Trần Thị Trang Aria “Parmi veder Le Lagrime” from the Opera “Rigoletto” (G.Verdi) – Tenor: Thanh Bình “Waltz of the Flowers” from the “The Nutcracker” Suite (P.I.Tchaikovski) – VNOB symphony orchestra Intermission Part II Dance themes from the Ballet “Swan Lake” (P.I.Tchaikovski) – VNOB Dance Group “Hallelujah Chorus” from “Messiah” (G.F.Handel) – VNOB choir; pianist: Đinh Thu Hương Acapella of Northern Vietnamese Folksongs: “Bèo dạt Mây trôi” (rearranged by Đồng Quang Vinh) & “Trống cơm” (rearranged by An Ngọc) – Hanoi International Choir Dance themes from the Ballet “The Nutcracker” (P.I.Tchaikovski) – VNOB Dance Group Vietnamese Bamboo Ensemble: “Ave Maria” (F.Schubert); “Cảm xúc Tây Nguyên” (Cát Vận – Ngô Bích Vượng) – rearranged by Đồng Quang Vinh – Performed by Bamboo Ensemble Sức Sống Mới “Mùa xuân ơi!” (Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện) – rearranged by Đồng Quang Vinh – performed by Hanoi International Choir, Bamboo Ensemble Sức Sống Mới & VNOB symphony orchestra. “The Brindisi” from the Opera “La Traviata” (G.Verdi) – VNOB choir, Hanoi International Choir & VNOB Symphony orchestra Tickets Ticket prices: 200000, 350000, 500000 VND. All tickets available at Hanoi Opera House or can book online at ticketvn.com/. For free delivery Call: 0913489858, 0983067996. Film Screening “10,000km” Tue 10 Mar 2015, 7.30 pm La Bicicleta 44, lane 31 Xuan Dieu Str, Hanoi Welcome to the screening of film “10,000km” (2014, 99 mins). About the film Two people in love, two apartments – one in Barcelona and another on in Los Angeles – and the images of their past, present and future. Can love survive 10,000km? Ticket: 25,000 VND (including Spanish omelet bite and wine shot) Language: Spanish – English subtitle Vietnamese Fine Art Exhibition in London UK Exhibition: 11 – 15 March 2015 AAF Battersea Exhibition Hall, London UK Raquelle Azran – collector, museum curator and gallerist – is pleased to announce her 13th consecutive year of exhibiting Vietnamese contemporary fine art in London, UK. The exhibition features works on paper and wood, in lacquer, watercolor and limited edition woodblock prints, by 6 contemporary Vietnamese artists all living and working in Hanoi. Exhibiting artists: Vu Thu Hien, Vu Duc Trung, Dinh Thi Tham Poong, Nguyen Bao Toan, Trinh Tuan, Vu Dinh Tuan About the artists: Vu Thu Hien combines traditional figures, both fairytale and real, shimmering and equivocal, with natural foliage and exotic interiors to weave timeless melodies in celebration of nature’s patterns and human passions. Vu Duc Trung‘s lacquer paintings are imbued with the poetry of the Impressionists. The subtlety and delicate shadings of his palette are enhanced by his studies with Trinh Tuan in Hanoi and in the Ecole Nationale des Beaux Arts in Paris. Dinh Thi Tham Poong, vividly captures on traditional Vietnamese handmade paper her concerns and emotions with the contemporary world. Women and nature intermingle and merge in scenes simultaneously real and surreal. Nguyen Bao Toan: Combining a deceptively simplistic secular folk aesthetic with the sophistication of simile and metaphor, Toan’s city mandarin envelops us within the solicitude and warm humanity of the countryside. Trinh Tuan expands upon the traditional tones and themes of classical lacquer art to include contemporary materials. Shimmering shades and hues dissolve and recompose into human figures, invoking the power and universality of emotions. Vu Dinh Tuan transforms traditional icons and media into contemporary language.Village woodblock prints are transmuted into modern printmaking techniques, referencing Matisse in palette and perspective. The juxtaposition of handmade do paper and traditional lacquer painting with contemporary artistic techniques bridges the temporal worlds of past and present, and spans the cultural divide of East and West. Stylistic elements of Impressionism, Expressionism, figurative art, Cubism and Fauvism intermingle with purely traditional Vietnamese themes of emotional experience and spiritual values as represented by the village, the buffalo, ancient dances. Roundtable Discussion “Melody in the Tempest” Thu 12 Mar 2015, 8 pm L’Espace 24 Trang Tien, Hanoi You are invited to the roundtable discussion “Melody in the Tempest” on the occasion of publishing “The Tempest” by Le Clézio. “The Tempest” is the most recent work of Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio who won 2008 Nobel Prize. It consists of two novellas, two intense stories, one on the island of Udo, Japan, the other in the Paris suburbs, as two complementary stories of the same language. Speakers: French literature specialist Le Hong Sam, Duong Tuong – poet and Nguyen Vu Hung, professor of French Literature. Language: Vietnamese Free entrance. Subscription Concert Vol.78 20 and 21 Mar 2015, 8 pm Vietnam National Academy of Music You are invited to subscription concert Vol.78 with: Conductor: Kah Chun Wong Piano Soloist: Uehara Ayako And the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra Program Sergei Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no.2 C-minor op.18 Sergei Rachmaninov Symphony no.2 E-minor op.27 Tickets Ticket prices: 200000, 350000, 500000 VND. All tickets available at Hanoi Opera House or can book online at vnso.org.vn. For free delivery Call: 0913489858, 0983067996.    Hanoi Opera House 1 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội Exhibition “Festival of Colors” Opening: Sun 08 Mar 2015, 5.30 pm Exhibition: 08 – 28 Mar 2015 Heritage Space Dolphin Plaza, 17 Tran Binh, My Dinh, Ha Noi You are invited to the exhibition “Hoan ca của sắc màu” (Festival of Colors) by 5 female painters with 5 different styles and viewpoints: Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, Tran Thi Thu, Bui Mai Hien, Doan Thu Huong and Nguyen Thi My. The exhibition will be launched on International Women’s Day, Mar 8th, to offer different perspectives on a popular topic: woman’s instinct and feelings.  VNN