Recent News


 
 

China Arts Carnival Club Double Awards for Notting Hill Carnival 2009


China Arts Carnival Club is delighted that it has won a ¡ê5,000 grant from Arts Council of England (www.artscouncil.org.uk/) to perform at London¡¯s famous and spectacular Notting Hill Carnival in 2009. In 2008, China Arts Carnival Club was invited to front and open the entire Carnival procession under the theme of the Olympics, with a group of more than 60 performers. The theme of our parade this year is ¡°A Bridge of Magpies¡±. The Carnival Club is also proud to announce that it has also won 3rd Prize for Best Traditional Bands, awarded by the judges and the London Notting Hill Carnival Mas Bands Association. It is the first prize ever won by a Chinese carnival group at London¡¯s most significant Afro-Caribbean cultural festival. For details and images, see www.china-arts.co.uk/Notting_Hill_Carnival.php

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Concerts at the Bidasoa Folk Festival, Spain ¨C The Silk String Quartet: 20-24 August, 2009

Following several successful performances in Spain in Seville (WOMEX 2006), Las Palmas (WOMAD 2007), Gran Canaria Tour 2007 and Valencia 2009, the Quartet has been invited to perform again at the Bidasoa Folk Festival in the Basque Country, Guip¨²zcoa, Northern Spain.?

This Festival celebrates the traditional music of the Basque country in which it makes its home. The Bidasoa Folk festival brings together the three villages in which its events take place through their common desire to support Basque culture. The traditional music of other countries and cultures is also performed.

Venue:
Hendaye - Irun - Hondarribia, Basque Country, Guip¨²zcoa, Spain
Bidasoa Folk
Almirante Alonso kalea, 8 - 1¡ã
20280 Hondarribia (Gipuzkoa) Espagne

http://www.bidasoa-txingudi.com/bidasoafolk/

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Concert at Arts in Action Festival, Oxford ¨C The Silk String Trio: 18 and 19 July 2009

Arts in Action ¨C a truly interesting festival in beautiful Oxfordshire, which showcases hundreds of arts demonstrations from a wide range of disciplines including painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics and textiles and music, attracting over 200,000 visitors each year.

Chinese Instrumental - Silk Trio Ensemble

Silk Trio Ensemble comprising players Cheng Yu, Wang Xiao and Xiao Ran, are from the Award Wining Silk String Quartet - an exciting professional Chinese string group based in the UK. They have performed at WOMEX and WOMAD festivals and widely in Europe (Holland, Germany, France, Spain and Ireland), the Quartet¡¯s UK appearances have included such venues as London¡¯s Royal Opera House, Southbank Centre and LSO¡¯s St Lukes, St George¡¯s in Bristol and the Manchester, Brighton and Guildford Festivals. The group¡¯s debut CD (published by ARC Music) has been highly acclaimed and was featured by BBC Radio 3. For this occasion, the group will perform a selection of traditional and contemporary pieces both solo and as a trio. The pieces will include: Three and Six, Flute and Drum at Sunset, Jasmine Flower, Purple Bamboo Melody, Dance of the Yao People, White Snow in Sunny Spring, The Caprice of the Qin Opera theme, Horse Racing and more.?

Venue:
Waterperry House, Waterperry,
Near. Wheatley, Oxfordshire
OX33 1JZ

Time:
12:15-13:00, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July

http://www.artinaction.org.uk/

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Calligraphy & Music workshops at Cowbridge School, South Wales: 1 and 12 June, 2009

China Arts artists with musicians from UKCE (www.ukchinesemusic.com) carried out calligraphy/brush painting and fruitful music workshops at Cawbridge Comprehensive school in Wales. It is part of the schools cultural exchanged programme with Chongqing City in Sichuan, China. The pupils experienced Chinese instrumental music, singing in Chinese as well as using their available instruments to try out Chinese percussion and instrumental music. They also learnt how to using an ink-brush to write and paint Chinese characters, names and simple objects and pictures.?

Contact us for workshops on Chinese music (singing, percussion and instrumental), dance, calligraphy and ink-painting, origami, story telling with music, lion and dragon dances and Kungfu (martial arts).

Phone us on 0788 0896003 or 0788 6264903.

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Yin-Yang (China-West) Mixed Ensemble performance, Drapers Hall, London ¨C Launch of China Construction Bank (UK): 1 June 2009

Following our highly acclaimed concert at St Marlybone Church in December 2008, the unique Yin-Yang Collective Ensemble was? invited to perform at the grand celebration of the inauguration of the China Construction Bank (UK), in the City of London. Over 300 honourable guests were present including the Chinese? Ambassador Madam Fu Ying and Marcus Agius, Chairman of Barclays Bank, Sir Victor Bank, Chairman of Lloyds Banking group and Stephen Green, Group Chairman of HSBC Holding Plc.

The musicians presented classical and popular pieces from both Chinese and Western cultures and were well received by the guests. The ensemble included Chinese pipa lute, erhu fiddle, yangqin dulcimer and Western piano, cello and flute.



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The Silk String Quartet & Lang Lang ¨C 23rd April 8pm, St Luck¡¯s, London

UBS SOUNDSCAPES ECLECTICA: DRAGON SONGS
Thursday 23 April 2009, 8pm, LSO St Luke¡¯s

Lang Lang piano
Cheng Yu pipa/lute
Sun Zhuo guzheng/zither
Wang Xiao erhu/fiddle
Zhou Jinyan yangqin/dulcimer

Hauntingly beautiful, contemplative music as well as lively new pieces played on piano, pipa, guzheng, erhu and yangqin. A new collaboration between classical virtuoso Lang Lang, the London-based Chinese quartet Silk Strings and jazz pianist and composer Raymond Yiu, mixing traditional Chinese music with their own ravishing contemporary interpretations ¨C including such evocative titles as ¡®Spring Flowers in the Moonlit Night on the River¡¯ and ¡®At Night on the Lake Beneath the Maple Bridge¡¯. Following The Silk String Quartet and cellist Matthew Barley¡¯s successfully concert at the Southbank¡¯s Purcell Room In Nov. 2008, the Quartet has been collaborating with the sensational piano star Lang Lang for the UBS Soundscapes: Eclectica series project. It brings to audiences an appealing mixture of international musicians presenting the diverse range of musical styles, in the unique ambience of LSO St Luke¡¯s?? For more info: visit lso.co.uk/langlang

Book Office 0845 120 7546
Vunue: ??? St Luck¡¯s
UBS and St Luck¡¯s Education Centre
161 Old Street
London EC1V 9NG


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Essex-Jiangsu Festival Concert Finale ¨C The Silk String Quartet: 22 March 2009

The UK-based award wining Chinese Silk String Quartet will perform traditional and new pieces at the concert. They are also involved in a series of workshops to train Chinese music tutors in Essex in Autumn 2009.The Essex-Jiangsu Festival, celebrating 20 years of friendship between Essex and Jiangsu Province in China has been a tremendous success, exceeding all expectations.? Over 150,000 people have already attended a Festival event ranging from traditional puppetry to master craft demonstrations and classical opera.??????

A taste of China has been brought to people across Essex and to celebrate the culmination of the Festival in style, a grand concert finale will take place at the Harlow Sportscentre.?

A must-see music event to mark the closing of the Essex-Jiangsu Festival.
www.essex-china.org

Sunday 22 March 2009: 6.30pm
Harlow Sportscentre, Hammarskjold Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2JF
Box Office (Playhouse): 01279 431 945
¡ê8 adults, ¡ê2 students, seniors and children, ¡ê17 family tickets (2 adults and 2 children)


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Concert at Sonidos Biodiversidad Festival, Spain ¨C The Silk String Quartet: 6 and 7 March, 2009

Following several successful performances in Spain in Seville (WOMEX 2006), Las Palmas (WOMAD 2007) and Gran Canaria tour 20087, the Quartet has been invited again to perform at the Sonidos Biodiversidad Festival.

Venue:
Bancaja Auditorium,
Castellon,
Valencia ¨C Espana

Time:
8:00 pm, 6th and 7th March, 2009

Booking:
Asociaci¨®n Canaria de Culturas y M¨²sicas del Mundo
Tel: 0034 822012777
obrasocial.bancaja.es/cultura


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The Silk and Bamboo Ensemble and Dance Dublin Ireland Tour Jan 09

The Silk and Bamboo Ensemble and Dance troupe has been invited by University College of Dublin, Confucius Institute and Dublin City Council and other Institutes in Ireland to give a special performance tour celebrating Chinese New Year ¨C The Year of OX.


Day/Date

Time

Performance Venue

Sunday 25 January 2009

12 pm (Music ensemble)

Hayward Gallery

Monday 26 January 2009

5 pm

UCD O¡¯Reilly Hall
(University College of Dublin, Confucius Institute)

Tuesday 27 January 2009

7pm

Smithfield, Dublin
(Dublin City Council)

Wednesday 28 January 2009

7.30 pm

UCC Confucius Institute, Cork City Council

Thursday 29 January 2009

7 pm

Chester Beatty Library

Friday 30 January 2009

11 pm

Ballsbridge Inn
(Dublin City Council)

Saturday 31 January 2009

7pm

Dublin Chinese Centre


 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Silk String Quartet -- Chinese New Year Special at SOAS

New in its form and style, unique in its instrumentation and presentation, the all-female Silk String Quartet is the first and the only Chinese String Quartet in the UK and Europe . The four group members have all been trained since childhood on their instruments. The group combines traditional and modern, Chinese and Western music in a fresh and creative way. The repertoire includes a wide range of newly commissioned compositions and traditional pieces performed in the Quartet's own style.

Date/s: 7:00 pm, 12 th January 2008
Venue:
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre
SOAS,University of London,
Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square,
London WC1H 0XG

Ticket Information: Admission free

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Workshops of Chinese and Asian Music and Dance for Ann Bernhardt Nursery School

In Partnership with World Beaters Arts and Culture , China Arts will design and deliver a ten week workshop programme on music, dance and story telling for this school. Early education on arts and music is important and China Arts provide suitable artists with a set of targeted programmes on a weekly basis to enable the children to taste, develop an interest in, and have hands-on experience of Chinese arts forms. The children will learn from simple hand clapping with rhythms, through percussion instruments to singing and dancing, not only from Chinese but also from other Asian cultures. This is a great opportunity for the children to play and to experience Chinese and Asian culture from an early age in multi-cultural Britain .

Date : 15 th January ¨C 25 th March 2008

Venue:

Ann Bernhadt Nursery

29 Chandler Way

Peckham London SE15

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¡°Silk & Bamboo¡± ¨C China Day, concert and workshops

Date: 30th January 2008
Venue:
Shrewsbury Music Hall
The Square, Shrewsbury SY1 1LH

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The Silk String Quartet - Chinese New Year Double Concert

Date: 1 st February 2008
Venue:
The Red Hedgehog
255-257 Archway Road
Highgate
London N6 5BS

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Beijing Bailing Shadow Puppet Show

Shadow puppet shows first appeared in Beijing around the 15 th century during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is a popular traditional theatre genre that combines singing, acting and dramatic movement performed by characters exquisitely carved out of leather. All the characters are operated by highly skilled artists behind a screen with live musical accompaniment, which gives a vivid and colourful silhouette effect. The troupe performs a specially designed programme for both children and adults. It is great fun to watch, and a privilege to be able to appreciate an authentic Chinese art.

The Bailing Shadow Puppet Troupe is invited and sponsored by China Arts (UK). This is a rare opportunity to see the Beijing Shadow Puppet Show Troupe, as the troupe will tour the UK for the first time during Chinese New Year from 1st to 22nd February 2008.

Show Schedule

Date Venues Contacts

3 rd February, 19:30-20:30

Elliott Hall, Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road , Hatch End , HA5 4EA

020 8416 8989 www.harrowarts.com

8 th February, 13:00-13:30, 14:15-14:45

Southbank International School --Kensington, 36-38 Kensington Park Rd , London W11 3BU

0207229 8230 www.southbank.org

9 th February, 15:00-16:00, 20:00-21:00

The Great Court , The British Museum , Great Russell Street , London WC1B 3DG

020 73238181 www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk

9 th February, 13:30-14:30

Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street , London NW8 8EH

020 7258 2920 cockpittheatre.org.uk

10 th February, 11:30am--12:00pm, 12:15pm--12:45pm, 15:00--15:30, 16:00--16:30

Lecture Theatre, Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, London SW7 2RL

020 79422000

www.vam.ac.uk

15 th February, 13:30-14:30

Ann Bernhardt Nursery School, 29 Chandler Way £¬ Peckham £¬ London SE15

020 75251199

17 th February, 13:45-14:45

Museum in Docklands, West India Quay, Canary Wharf , London E14 4AL

0870 444 3850

www.museumindocklands.org.uk

22 th February, 19:00-20:00

Foreign & Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street , London SW 1A 2AH

020 70081500

www.fco.gov.uk

 
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The Silk String Quartet - Chinese New Year Concert and Music workshop

Date: 7th February 2008
Venue:
Richard Attenborough Centre
University of Leicester
Lancaster Road
Leicester LE1 9HN

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The Silk String Quartet ¨C Southbank China Day Celebration

Date: 8th February 2008
Venue:
Southbank Royal Festival Hall Foyer
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road
London SE1 8XX

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The Silk and Bamboo Ensemble concert

Date: 6:30 ¨C 7:30 pm , 8th February 2008
Venue:
National Portrait Gallery,
St Martin's Place
London WC2H 0HE

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Chinese Music at the British Museum 's China Day

Date: 9th February 2008
Venue:
The Great Court, British Museum
The British Museum
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG

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The Silk String Quartet - Chinese New Year Concert

Date: 10 th February 2008
Venue:
Trinity Theatre
Church Road , Tunbridge Wells ,
Kent , TN1 1JP

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The Silk String Quartet Concert ¨C Buxton Festival

Date: 7.30pm , 19 th February 2008
Venue:
BUXTON FESTIVAL
3 The Square
Buxton
Derbyshire SK17 6AZ

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Foreign & Commonwealth Office Chinese New Year celebration 2008

China Arts provide all entertainment for Foreign & Commonwealth Office to celebrate Chinese New Year 2008. The programme includes traditional Chinese music, Lion Dance, Chinese folk dance with ribbon and fan, Shaolin Gongfu, Beijing Shadow Puppetry show, extraordinary classical Chinese dance: Rainbow Feather dance, and roaming calligraphy.

Date: 6:00pm-8:00pm, 22 nd February, 2008
Venue:
Locarno Room
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London SW 1A 2AH

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Sound of China ¨C ancient and modern (UK Chinese Music Ensemble 14 musicians)

This concert is a high-profile talent showcase on a substantial scale by 12 of the best UK-based professional Chinese musicians performing collectively, including the award-winning group The Silk String Quartet. The concert will demonstrate twenty different Chinese instruments, many of which are rarely heard or seen in the UK , such as the guqin zither, xun clay ocarina, and the xiao vertical bamboo flute. The concert also features the 5-stringed pipa lute, which was lost in the Tang dynasty (8th century), and Cheng Yu who won three major British awards for her project to recreate the instrument with music based on that period. The evening will highlight music from the time and culture of the First Emperor. New compositions on contemporary Chinese instruments will provide a present-day counterpoint to our presentation of early Chinese music.

The concert is in two halves: the first features music and instruments from ancient times; the second contemporary and new music. It includes two premi¨¨res ¡°The King of Qin Destroys the Formation¡± ¨C (5 stringed pipa with Chinese orchestra) and ¡°Spring Festival Prelude¡±.

Date: 7.30pm, 22 nd February 2008
Venue:
BP Lecture Theatre, Clore Education Centre
The British Museum
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG

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The Silk String Quartet Concert , China Week ¨C Cambridge University

Date: 6pm (Sunday) 24 th February 2008
Venue:
Clare Hall, University of Cambridge

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The Silk String Quartet Concert

Date: 8pm 29 th February 2008
Venue:
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Hope Street
Liverpool L1 9BP

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The Silk String Quartet ¨C Concert

Date: 31st February 2008
Venue:
Lakeside Arts Centre
University Park
Nottingham NG7 2RD

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Silk String Trio

Date: 6th March 2008
Venue:
The British Museum
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG

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Silk String and Bamboo ¨C Teahouse music

Date: 3rd April 2008
Venue:
The British Museum
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG

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The Silk String Quartet ¨C Looking East Festival, workshops and Concerts

Date: ¡°In residence¡±, 4th ¨C 6 th April 2008
Venue:
The Sage Gateshead
The Sage Gateshead, St Mary's Square
Gateshead Quays
Gateshead , NE8 2JR

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1st International Daoist Cultural Festival ( UK )

Conference, Concerts and exhibition

Conference title: Daoist Nurturing of Life and Fengshui

Music by the Shanghai City God Monastery Daoist Music Ensemble

Daoism represents the essence of traditional Chinese culture and the root of fengshui , qigong , Chinese medicine, and Chinese philosophies. This is the first International Daoist Cultural Festival to be held in the UK . The Festival aims to introduce Daoism to a wider audience and will feature the world's leading academic authorities and scholars, music performed by a Daoist monk ensemble from the Shanghai City God Monastery and an exhibition on Daoist history, arts, crafts and books.

The theme of the conference is Daoist Nurturing of Life and Fengshui with 6 keynote speakers include Dr Zhang Jishu (Vice President of China Daoist Association, descendent of Daoist ancestor Zhang Tianshi), Professor Chen Yaoting (former Head of the Shanghai Research Academy of Social Science and Religion) and scholars from France and Japan. The Shanghai City God Monastery (built in 1403-1424) is a major religious site in the city and its Daoist music ensemble (18 musicians) will perform ceremonial and secular music unique in style.

Overall, this is a rare opportunity for people in the UK and the world to experience many aspects of Daoist culture in the best of environments. Places for the three-day conference are limited, so early booking is recommended.

Date: 17¨C18May 2008, Conference (day time)

Evening Concerts on 17 th and 18 th May,

19¨C22 May, Music tour the UK (venue TBC)


Venue:
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre,

School of Oriental and African Studies,

University of London

Thornhaugh Street , Russell Square ,
London WC1H 0XG

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Westminster Chinese Masterchef Competition 2008 and Chinese Food Festival

In 2008, Westminster City Council and China Arts will work as partners to expand the Chinese Masterchef Competition and Food Festival into an exceptional event. The competition will incorporate 3 elements: The ¡®Chinese Masterchef', ¡®Dim Sum Chef' and Student Masterchef which aims to raise awareness of food hygiene standards as well as promoting the culinary and creativity of the chefs competing. There will be a programme of demonstrations and an award ceremony at the end of the day. This is open to businesses, residents and visitors to Westminster . The Chinese Food festival will feature culinary demonstrations with amazing food, Chinese wine and tea tasting and promotions. The culmination of the festival will be a splendid performance of classical music and folklore dance.

Chinese Masterchef Competition

Date: 20 th May 2008

Opening Time: 9.30 am ¨C 6.00pm

Venue: Westminster Kingsway College , Vincent Square , London SW1

Ticket Information: Free tickets available from Community Protection, 5th Floor East, City Hall, 64 Victoria St , London , SW1E 6QP .

Chinese Food Festival

Date: 24 th May 2008

Opening Time: 10:00am ¨C 6:00pm

Venue: London Leicester Square (TBC)

Ticket Information: Free

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Shanghai City Weekend ¨C China Design Now - Live music and fashion show

Shanghai City Weekend is part of the ¡°City Weekends¡± programme to be held in the Victoria and Albert Museum . It will feature as a celebration of Shanghai during the China Design Now exhibition. The line-up for this weekend will be based around issues concerning fashion design and catwalk fashion shows which are influenced by the contemporary Shanghai lifestyle. China Arts will present on stage spectacular and stylish costumes full of colour. The latest cutting-edge styles will be presented with the accompaniment of stunning live music. This China Arts event represents an extravaganza of Chinese music and costumes to delight UK citizens in 2008.

Date: 24 th and 25 th May, 2008

Venue:

Victoria and Albert Museum

South Kensington

London SW7 2RL

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The Silk String Quartet ¨C Horniman Museum

Date: 2-4.30pm , Sunday, 25 th May 2008
Venue: Horniman Museum
100 London Road , Forest Hill
London SE23 IPQ

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Second Glance Festival ¨C Chinese Music Special

The Yin-Yang Chinese-Western Ensemble

( UK Chinese Ensemble and the Chamber Music Company)

Contemporary music by non-Chinese composers

Contemporary music by Chinese composers
Date:
May/June 2008 (TBC)
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The Silk String Quartet Concert ¨C Spitalfields Festival, London

Date/s: 6 th June 2008
Venue:
Wilton 's Music Hall
Grace's Alley, Wellclose Square
London E1 8JB

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The Silk String Quartet Concert

Date/s: 7 th June 2008
Venue:
St Mary's Church , Ashford , Kent TN30 6TJ

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Beijing - Ancient and Modern City Photography Exhibition (Tour to be confirmed) Beijing City Weekend

Beijing City Weekend is part of the ¡°City Weekends¡± programme to be held in the Victoria and Albert Museum. It will feature as a celebration of Beijing during the China Design Now exhibition. Events and activities for Beijing City Weekend will be developed around architectural design. China Arts will provide 100 framed photographs of Beijing city which will explore topics including architecture, urban life and culture.

Date/s: 28 th and 29 th June, 2008
Venue:
Victoria and Albert Museum
South Kensington
London SW7 2RL

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The Silk String and Bamboo Ensemble ¨C Lunchtime concert

Date: 1-2pm , 3 rd July 2008
Venue:
Lancaster City Hall

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The Silk String and Bamboo Ensemble ¨C Buxton Festival

Date: 10pm , 24 th July 2008
Venue:
BUXTON FESTIVAL
3 The Square
Buxton
Derbyshire SK17 6AZ

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Chinese Music Summer School (in partnership with Asian Music Circuit)

Chinese Music Summer School has been running successfully since 2003, orgnised by Asia music circuit with the musicians from the UK Chinese Music Ensemble. This year Chinese Music Summer School, will give five full days of expert tuition on Chinese instrumental music. This included masterclasses on the guqin (Chinese 7-string zither) with guqin master Prof Zeng Chuiwei (Sichuan conservatory of Music, China), pipa (Chinese lute) with pipa virtuoso Dr Cheng Yu, and erhu (Chinese fiddle) with erhu soloist Hu Bin.

Date: 10am ¨C 5pm , 30 July ¨C 3 August 2008
Venue: London (TBC)

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The Silk String Quartet ¨C Gwyl Pontardawe Festival, Wales
Date: 15-16 th August 2008
Venue:
Gwyl Pontardawe Festival
Parc Ynysderw, Pontardawe Leisure Centre
Ffordd Parc Ynysderw
Pontardawe
Swansea SA8 4EG
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BEIJING SHADOW PUPPET SHOW

First ever UK Tour, Chinese New Year, February 2008

Invited and sponsored by China Arts (UK), this is a rare opportunity to see the Beijing Shadow Puppetry Show Troupe as they will tour the UK for the first time during Chinese New Year form 1 st to 21 st February 2008. This is one of the finest Shadow groups in China . They have already performed in France , Germany , Italy , Austria , the United States , and Japan to a rapturous reception, and achieved extraordinary popularity there.

Shadow puppet shows first appeared in Beijing around the 15 th century during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is a popular traditional theatre genre that combines singing, acting and dramatic movement performed by characters exquisitely carved out of leather. All the characters are operated by highly skilled artists behind a screen with live musical accompaniment, which gives a colorful and vivid silhouette effect. The troupe brings a specially designed programme for both children and adults. It is great fun to watch and a privilege to be able to appreciate an authentic Chinese art.

The show is being booked very fast. If you are interested in booking this wonderful show, please contact Ms Li on 07886264903 or email her at info@china-arts.co.uk .

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The Silk String Quartet wins a PRS Foundation New Music award for Performance Group 2007

We are pleased to announce that our Quartet has been awarded a grant by PRS as one of the best performance groups for new music in 2007. This is the first time a PRS award has been won by a UK-based Chinese music group. It is the second award that PRS has given to the Quartet after it supported the group's successful Showcase at WOMEX 2006 in Spain . The grant will be used for the commissioning and rehearsals for the Quartet's new works.

Following our recent successful performances at the WOMAD 2007 festival and in the Netherlands , Germany and Ireland , the UK Chinese Music Ensemble and The Silk String Quartet are delighted to announce our autumn events. These include 3/4 weeks with the Opera-Circus Spectacular Journey to the West at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, and a series performance in conjunction with the ¡°once-in-a-lifetime¡± exhibition The First Emperor ¨C China's Terracotta Army in London's British Museum and a concert by our Silk String Quartet in Tenerife - Islas Canarias ¨C Spain for both Local and WOMAD Canarias Festival in Nov. 2007.

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The Silk String Quartet, WOMAD Canarias Festival , Spain : 21-25 November, 2007

WOMAD has again invited the Silk Strings to perform, this time at their Canarias Festival in Spain . This follows the Quartet's appearance at the WOMAD  Festival in Charlton Park , Wiltshire, and their BBC Radio 3 and World Service Broadcast in summer 2007. The group will give a concert and workshops during the festival.

WOMAD Canary Islands Festival this November - another weekend of fabulous music, arts and dance from around the globe - all in the exhilarating beachside city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. For details see the Festival event page at the WOMAD website: http://womad.org

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The Silk String Quartet, Tenerife Spain : Thursday, 8-10 November, 8-10pm

At the invitation of the Asociaci¨®n Canaria de Culturas y M¨²sicas del Mundo, the Quartet will debut with new repertoires in Tenerife , Canary Is, Spain . There will be two evening concerts and a workshop at the local Conservatory of Music.

Thursday¨CSaturday, 8 November 2007 ,
Concert: 8:00¨C10:00 pm
Venue:
Plaza del Patriotismo, 1
38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tenerife
Islas Canarias
Spain

Friday, November 2007,
workshop 5-6pm
Venue: Desplazamiento al Conservatorio Superior de M¨²sica de
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Concert: 8:00¨C10:00 pm
Venue: Auditorio del Conservatorio Profesional de La Palmas de Gran Canaria
 
www.cajacanarias.org
www.accmm.org

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China Arts Workshops at Malorees Junior School : 13 Nov. 2007

China Arts and the UK Chinese Ensemble present:

1.  Chinese Music Making: Singing, Percussion & Instruments
2.  Lion Dance & Dragon Dance
3.  Paper Folding and Paper Cutting
4.  Chinese Folk Dance: Ribbon, Fan & Handkerchief Dance

Venue: CHRIST CHURCH Avenue , London NW6 7PB
Enquiries: 020 8459 5452

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November-December, Music recording ¨C "Wild China" ¨C for BBC Bristol 6 episode TV documentary

Having recently recorded the hunting music for the film " Ghosts ", directed by Nick Brookfield, about 23 Chinese drowned while cockling in dangerous Morecambe Bay, Cheng Yu and the UK Chinese Ensemble musicians will work with composer  Barnaby Taylor to create music for a 6 episode TV documentary for BBC Bristol. The programme will be shown in 2008.

See the Projects page for further information.

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British Museum : 6 December, 2007

Dance and Music

Date and time: Thursday 6 December 2007 6.30¨C9:00 pm

Venue:
Great Court   (free event)
The British Museum     
Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DG
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7323 8000
information@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk

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Chinese New Year Special at SOAS: 12 February 2008, 7:00pm

New in its form and style, unique in its instrumentation and presentation, the all-female Silk String Quartet is the first and the only Chinese String Quartet in the UK and Europe. The four group members have all been trained since childhood on their instruments. The group combines traditional and modern, Chinese and Western music in a fresh and creative way. The repertoire includes a wide range of new and traditional compositions performed in the quartet's own style.

Date and time: 12 February 2008 7:00 pm

Venue:

Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre,
SOAS, University of London ,
Thornhaugh Street , Russell Square ,
London WC1H 0XG
 
Enquiries:

Tel. 020 7898 4500
email musicevents@soas.ac.uk
www.soas.ac.uk/concerts

Admission free!

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New CD recorded ¨C The Silk String Quartet

Following the successful performances / and tours in the past a few months, our new project - ¨C the Silk String Quartet ¨C has been invited by ARC Music International Ltd. to record a CD under the ARC m M usic label. The R r ecording h w as finished completed in May. The CD will contain s 7 interesting and diverse tracks , almost all - of which are contemporary , music and some pieces are having been freshly composed / or arranged. The CD will be out in August or September this year. You can get the CD It will be available from major UK and / Europe an record s shops under ¡® World Music' , as well as from the if you are interested.

W ARC Music International w ebsite: www.arcmusic.co.uk

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Cheng Yu's new CD is released

Cheng Yu's second solo CD album with ARC Music is just came out in May 2007. The CD is en titled ¡° Chinese Masterpieces on the pipa and guqin ¡± . O I n i t are recorded 8 of the mo be st well known classic pieces on for the pipa lute and guqin zither ¨C the two most celebrated classical instruments in China. If you are interested in You can find the CD , you can visit in the World Music section of any major record shop in the UK / or Europe major records shops under ¡®world Music' .

It is also available from the ARC Music W w ebsite: www.arcmusic.co.uk

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The Silk & Bamboo Ensemble Concert ¨C Stamford Arts Centre, Linco i l nshire ¨C 7 th June 2007

Our Silk & Bamboo Ensemble (a group from the UK Chinese music Ensemble) has been invited to play a concert o f n String and Wind music from China .

7.30pm , 7 th June, 2007

Venue: 27 St. Mary's Street, Stamfor d m , Lincolnshire PE9 2DL

Box Office: 01780 763203

Website: www.stamfordartscentre.com
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Europe an Concerts - - The Silk String Quartet, 9 and 10 th June, 12 th July Netherlands and Germany

With After only a year 's history since the Quartet's establishment, The Silk String girls are already in demand beyond the UK . They are invited to perform at the RUIGELAND Festival and the Bred Festival in in the Netherlands and and the Masala Festival in Germany .

3pm and 7.30 pm , 9 th June 2007 ,

7.30 pm June 2007

Venue: RUIGELAND Festival in het NAM park bij Grijpskerk , Netherlands

Box Office: + 31 ( 0) 594 - 213 654

Website: www.ruigeland.nl

 

4pm , 10 th June 2007 ,

Venue: Bred Festival , Netherlands .

Box Office: + 31 (0) 20 6279 518

Website: www.earthbeat.nl

 

8pm , 12 th July 2007 ,

Venue: MASALA Welt-Beat Festival 2007, Han n over, Germany

Box Office: + 49 (0) 511235555 24

Website: www.masala-fe s tival.de

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WOMAD Festival ¨C The Silk String Quartet, 29 th July 20 07
BBC Radio 3 and World Service Broadcasting.

The Quartet will perform at the 2007 WOMAD Festiva l at Charlton Park , n N ea r Malmesbury, Wiltshire over the weekend 27-29 July. The group h as been invited as the guests of BBC Radio 3 guest to perform a set of contemporary music and which it will be recorded live and broadcasted by the BBC Radio 3 and World Service Broadcas t Networks . It will also and will be made available on the BBC's website .

3 - - 4pm, Sunday, 29 th July
BBC Radio 3 Stage , WOMAD Festival, Charlton Park, Nr Malmesbury, W h i l tshire

Tel: 0845 146 1760

http://womad.org

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Art & and Music Project - - IKON Gallery, Birmingham -

From late July to September 07, several musicians of the UKCE from the UK Chinese Ensemble will be worki n m g on an Art & and Music project. They will be collaborat e ing with musicians from other cultures to create music in conjunction with a contemporary art exhibition by an established painter Ruri , Leiderman in the IKON Gallery , Birmingham . The first public show is will be on the July 28 th , July leading to several performances in August and September. For details see the website below.

28 th July ¨C 15/16 September, 2007 .

Contact Details
Tel : 0121 248 0708
E - mail : marketing@ikon-gallery.co.uk

Venue: Ikon Gallery , 1 Oozells Square , Brindleyplace, Birmingham , B1 2HS

Website www.ikon-gallery.co.uk

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Monkey: Journey to the West - - A a n Opera-circus spectacular, 20 07 shows

4 Four musicians from the UK Chinese Music Ensemble have been selected and were invited to work in g with th is e large-sca r l e Theatre/opera since beginning of this year. The show will be ready to perform/tour from June 2007. ¡° Journey to The West ¡± by Wu Cheng'en is one of the best-known 16 th century Chinese classic novel s by Wu Cheng'en . This multi - media production is direct ed or by Mr Chen Shizheng , and the music is by Damon Albarn (Blur front singer) and digital arts are by Jamie Hewlett . Albarn and Hewlett are the artists behind the award-winning animated band , Gorillaz.

Manchester International Festival
25 th June ¨C 1st July 1st : previews / performances
2 nd ¨C 8 th July: performances

Venue: Palace Theatre, Oxford Street , Manchester , M1 6FT
Tel: +44 (0)870 401 3000 or 0161 245 6666

Web site : www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com


Paris performances at Theatre du Chatelet,

24 t h ¨C 30 th September: previews / performances

1 ¨C 7 October: performances
8 th ¨C 13 th October: performances.
Venue: Theatre d e u Chatelet, 2, rue Edou a rd Colonne ¨C 75001 Paris .

Web site : www.chatelet-theatre.com

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Chinese Music Summer School: 31 July ¨C 4 August, 2007

Following the success of the 2006 Chinese Music Summer School,  Asian Music Circuit is delighted to present the 2007 Chinese Music Summer School, giving five full days of expert tuition on Chinese instrumental music. There will be master classes on the guqin (Chinese 7-string zither) with guqin master Zeng Chengwei and erhu (Chinese fiddle) with erhu soloist Hu Bin (UKCE musician). This is a rare opportunity to learn and explore Chinese music in the UK . Classes are open to all takers, beginners and advanced.

Venue: Royal Academy of Music , Marylebone Road , London . 

Further details and booking: http://www.amc.org.uk/summer_schools/2007/courses.htm

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Chinese Guqin and Erhu Recital ¨C 2 nd August 07 Prof. Zeng Chengwei and Hu Bin

7.30pm , 2 nd August, 2007

Venue: David Josefowits Josefowitz Recital Ha l l, Royal Academy of Music, Marylebone Road , London
Box Office: 0871 663 2500 ( 9am ¨C8pm daily)

Website: www.amc.org.uk

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Notting Hill Carnival ¨C Chinese Carnival Club, 27 th August 20 07

Following the success of last year's Carnival, the Chinese Carnival Club (organised by China Arts) is again invited again by the organiser to showcase on a different theme. Our musicians are working with the group to provide music for the parade on the day. This year the group will put on a more spectacular demonstration on a particular ly arts theme with specially designed make up, costumes and props presented by a team of over 50 people to join ing the Europe's largest street festival.

For details see www.china-arts.co.uk (Carnival page)

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China Arts Workshops at South Bank International School , London

China Arts presents:

3 days Workshops on Calligraphy, Lion Dance and Storing Telling.

Venue: Southbank Kensington, 36-38 Kensington Park Road , London W11 3BU

Tel: 020 7229 8230
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China Arts Week at Chelsea Primary School -- 5 th -9 th March 2007

China Arts and the UK Chinese Ensemble presents:

1.       Chinese Music Making: Singing, Percussion & Instruments

2.       Lion Dance & Dragon Dance

3.       Drawing, Calligraphy & Wash Painting

4.       Chinese Folk Dance: Ribbon, Fan & Handkerchief Dance

5.       Martial Arts

6.       Story Telling

Venue: CHRIST CHURCH PRIMARY SCHOOL
1 Robinson Street
London SW3 4AR
+44 020 7352 5708

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Film Music recording project 22nd ¨C 24th Jan. 07
Balls of Fury ¨C
Hollywood Film music by Randy Edelman
At
Abbey Road Studios, London

The musicians of the UK Chinese Music Ensemble has successfully recorded music for this Film Balls of Fury.  This is the third Hollywood film music project after Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights that the Music Ensemble has worked with composer Randy Edelman. The musicians worked from written scores as well as improvisations. The instruments were used include the pipa lute, guqin zither, guzheng zither, erhu and gaohu fiddles, dizi and xiao flutes, sheng mouth-organ and guanzi pipe.

 
 
China Arts Spring 2007 News and Events:

See also the Projects Page for information on new projects.

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Chinese Arts Day at National Portrait Gallery ¨C 1pm onwards 17 th February 2007

China Arts presents:

- Story telling

- Opera Mask making

- Ribbon and Fan dance

- Lion Dance

Venue: National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London WC2H 0HE

Tel: 020 7306 0055 (Free for all)

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Chinese New Year Dance Spectacular ¨C Thrilling, Colourful, Original and Inspirational ¨C 16 th and 17 th February 2007 Guizhou Ethnic Minority Dance and Song Ensemble, Southwest China

Date/time: 7.30pm, Friday 16 th and Saturday 17 th Feb.2007
Box Office: 020 7730 4500, ¡ê15 - ¡ê30 (Child/Student/group discount).

Vunue: Cadogan Hall
5 Sloane Terrace
London SW1X 9DQ
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An evening of Beijing Opera and Chinese Music: 9th March, 2007

China Arts presents a selection of well-known scenes from Beijing Opera, with the Ensemble performing traditional and modern Chinese music. There will also be workshops during the day.

Beijing Opera is a complex art form combining singing, movement, mime, martial arts, acrobats, melodic and percussion orchestra and extraordinary costumes and make-up. The programme includes:

  • The Goddess Scattering Flowers from Heaven
  • The Startling Dream from ¡®The Peony Pavilion'
  • Picking up the Jade Bracelet
  • Flute and Drum at Sunset (traditional civil style music)
  • Flowing Water (Classical music)

The Ensemble features Beijing Opera artists Liang Qin and Kevin Zhang and Chinese virtuoso musicians Cheng Yu on the Chinese pipa (4-stringed lute), Qiu Zenghui on the jinghu and erhu (2-stringed violins), Li Ming on the dizi (bamboo flute) and Zhou Jinyan on the yangqin (Chinese dulcimer).

Date: 9th March, 2007
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Richard Attenborough Centre
University of Leicester
Lancaster Road
Leicester LE1 9HN

Enquiries:  Tel: (RAC) 0116 252 2455
Web site: www.le.ac.uk/music

 
The Guildford International Music Festival ¨C 10 th March 2007 China Day in Guildford

10am ¨C 12am - Dragon dance workshop

10.30am - 12 noon - Singing/percussion workshop for children

12.30 - 2 pm: Children's Demonstration performances

1-2pm: Pipa music recital by Cheng Yu

2-4pm ¨C Calligraphy and brush drawing

4 - 5 pm - concert: Silk String Quartet
 
2007 Spring Concert and Workshop Series: The Silk String Quartet/UK Chinese Ensemble
Date Venues Contacts
12-15 February, 2007 Music & dance workshops Asia Music Circuit Educational Centre London W3 ORG 020 8742 9911
17 February, 2007 Dance & music Workshops 2-5.30pm The National Centre for Early Music York YO1 9TL 01904 632220
17 February, 2007 Concert 7.30pm The National Centre for Early Music York YO1 9TL 01904 632220
18 February, 2007 Afternoon Trafalgar Square London WC2 Chinese New Year celebration 020 7439 3822
18 February, 2007 Concert 7.30pm The Linbury Theatre Royal Opera House London WC2E 9DD 020 7212 9297
23 February, 2007 Concert 7.30pm G2, SOAS (admissions free) University of London London WC1H 020 7637 2388
24 February, 2007 Concert 7.30pm St Mary's Church Ashford , Kent TN30 6TJ 01580 764258
25 February, 2007 Dance & music Workshops 2-5pm St George's Bristol BS1 5RR 0117 9294929
25 February, 2007 Concert 6pm St George's Bristol BS1 5RR 0117 9294929
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Lunchtime Rec ital at Brunel University: 24 th November 2006 Cheng Yu classical Chinese pipa and guqin
A rare opportunity to hear an internationally renowned virtuoso on both the pipa (4-stringed lute) and guqin (7-stringed zither) and former pipa soloist at the China Central Orchestra of Chinese Music .
Date: Friday 24 November 2006
Time: 1.10 to 1.50pm
Venue: Roberts Room, Floor 3, Lecture Centre, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex , UB8 3PH ADMISSION FREE
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The UK Chinese Ensemble at the Museum of London : 19th November 2006
The Ensemble has been invited to play at the Belonging Exhibition at the Museum of London .
Venue: Museum of London , London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN
Time: 2:00-5:00pm
Enquiries: 0879 444 3852
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The Silk String Quartet Successful Showcase at the Womex 2006 World Music Expo in eville, Spain
On 26 th October, the Silk String Quartet led by Cheng Yu, gave a successful performance at the WOMEX Showcase on the Central Stage at the FIBES ¨C Auditorium, Al-Andalus in Seville , Spain . This is the first time that Chinese music has been featured at this international major festival of world music since WOMEX was established over a decade ago. The Quartet is one of the only two groups chosen this year from the UK and was selected from over a thousand ensembles worldwide. The Quartet performed a selection of classical and modern works with their unique instrumentation and their own interpretations. The pieces included ¡°Waterscape Silhouette¡± (a contemporary composition), ¡°Darkness of the Night¡± (Beijing Opera music) and ¡°Flute and Drum at Sunset¡± (a classical ¡°civil¡± style piece). This is the Quartet's first European appearance and has received excellent feedback and acclaim. Already, the Quartet has received concert and tour invitations from the UK , Germany , Belgium , France and the Netherlands . You can view the video clips of the Showcase at http://www.mondomix.com/event/womex2006/ (Click on October 26 ).

For more information or a promotional CD, please contact chengyu@ukchinesemusic.com , or phone us on 020 7813 2732 (t.), 0788 089 6003 (m.)



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Expo, Seville: Spain, October 2006
The Quartet has great news to announce: it has been selected by WOMEX 2006 howcase ¨C The World Music Expo ¨C to perform during 25th to 29th October in Seville, pain. WOMEX ( www.womex.com ) is the world's largest international organisation for world music. Our Quartet is the first Chinese music group ever selected by WOMEX since its

inception 12 years ago.

Quote from the email from WOMEX:

¡°You made it. Congratulations! On behalf of the WOMEX Jury, we invite The Silk String Quartet to perform at WOMEX 2006, the worldwide music expo to be held in Sevilla, Andalusia / Spain , 25-29 October 2006. With over 6000 proposals and a mere three dozen slots, yours is an accomplishment to be proud of¡± ¨C 18th May 2006 , WOMEX Office.
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News - Silk String Quartet won PRSF and Arts Council Grant for WOMEX Showcase in Seville , Spain , October 2006
The Silk String Quartet has been awarded a British Music Abroad grant to support its performances at the WOMEX 2006 Showcase. The Quartet is the first Chinese music ensemble to be selected at this international world music festival in a decade and it is one of the only two groups selected from the UK .
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News - Silk String Quartet won PRSF and Arts Council Grant for WOMEX Showcase in Seville , Spain , October 2006
We Provides you tailor-made educational programmers to suit pupils of all levels in schools. This includes Chinese music, dance, acrobatics, martial arts, Chinese calligraphy and/or brush painting, crafts, language and culture taught by qualified artists.
For details please see Education page or feel free to contact us.
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Silk String Quartet Concert ¨C 7-9pm, 26 September 2006, Cambridge Launch of Dragon Cambridge International (UK ¨C China Business Link)
The Silk String Quartet has been invited to play at the inauguration of Dragon Cambridge International. The company provides the liaison between the UK and China for personal and business clients ( www.dragoncambridge.com ). The Quartet will play a selection of traditional and regional Chinese pieces as well as popular and classical Western music.

Venue: Library House
Station Road, Cambridge
Email: info@croslandcomms.co.uk
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China-West Fusion Music Concert: 10.30am ¨C 12 noon , 12 th Sept. 2006, London NW1 Celebrating the Inauguration of China Telecom (Europe ) Ltd.
China Arts has been invited to present a specially designed Concert for the inauguration of China Telecom ( Europe ) Ltd today ( www.chinatelecomeurope.com ). The programme features two of the best Chinese and Western ensembles in the UK , the Silk String Quartet (led by Dr Cheng Yu) and the Chamber Music Company (led by Mark Troop). They will play a selection of well-known Chinese and Western classical and popular music as well as fusion music based on both musical cultures.

The programme will include:
The Silk String Quartet
Full of Joy (by Liu Mingyuan)
Dance of the Golden Snake (By Nie Er) Moving Up (Cantonese music) Radetzky March (Strauss)

The Chamber Music Company
Flute Trio in D, First Movement (Haydn)
Trio in B Flat, First Movement (Mozart)
A Minuet for Clarinet and Piano (Howells)
Song of Four Seasons (Chinese popular melody)
The China-West Ensemble ¨C Chinese-Western fusion
Greensleeves (Traditional English)
Jasmine Flower (Traditional Chinese)
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart)

Venue:
The Ballroom
The Landmark Hotel
222 Marylebone Road
London NW1 6JQ
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China Arts features in London Notting Hill Carnival 2006 ¨C A rare appearance of Chinese Arts after 42 years
On the 28 th August 2006 , China Arts successfully presented a Chinese fan dance team with female student performers wearing beautiful traditional qipao (embroidered silk gowns) and parading the streets around Notting Hill. Their fresh appearance and elegant manner was unusually well received with much applause along the entire route of the Carnival. Early this year, China Arts was invited to organise a performance team to represent Chinese community reflecting the multicultural spirit in Britain at this Europe's biggest and most spectacular street festival. China Arts will build on this initiative and to develop a more artistic and substantial carnival troupe next year. See link page.
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