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Hello!
The summer is ticking along nicely. We're getting settled into the new office, The Chamber Choir has been rehearsing in our new space and singing lessons are up and running in the bright new teaching rooms.
Summer Fling 2009 is just round the corner – rehearsals starting on Tuesday 4th. As part of the show on the 29th August we're going to be premiering the English version of the HK Complaints Choir song. See "In Focus" and "Meet..." below to find out more about this fabulous project and how you can get involved. No singing experience or audition required!
Yours |
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Director, Katterwall
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MEET...Vangi Fong
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founding member of HK Complaints Choir (organised by Pep!)
Katterwall: What were your expectations about this project before it started and have these expectations being met?
Vangi: We never expected this project would receive such a great response! When I first saw the work at PS1 (New York) last year, I felt really touched by it as it reflects many aspects of living in a city. There aren't many community art projects in HK that the public can actually get involved in rather than only being an audience member. I think the Complaints Choir of Hong Kong serves this purpose well.
K: Tell us about the Cantonese Complaints Choir public performances so far.
V: To date there have been 5 days of gorilla performances. We have sung at the July 1st Demonstration at Victoria Park, Times Square, Wanchai Market, Statue Square, Hong Kong Art Centre, Walled Buildings & West Kowloon Cultural District, Clock Tower, Temple Street & Sai Yeung Choi Street, Tin Shui Wai Public Estates, Ngong Ping 360, Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate plus trams, buses, the Star Ferry and the MTR.
K: This project has been covered by almost all of HK's print and broadcasting media in the last few months. What else you have wished to say to the public?
V: The Complaints Choir of Hong Kong has bridged the gap between “art ” and “general public” of Hong Kong. We are pleased that this has turned out not only be an art project, but has also shown that Hong Kong people can appreciate creativity and art.
K: What is next for Complaints Choir and /or Pep! after this success?
V: Complaints Choir of Hong Kong will now turn into an exhibition at Cattle Depot Artist Village in August. We will organize forums to enhance discussions and also a book will be published as a project review. We are also working on introducing the Cantonese version into karaoke boxes!
The English version of the Complaints Choir Of Hong Kong will be premiered as part of Summer Fling 2009.
Visit “The Complaints Choir of Hong Kong” Exhibition
9th - 31st August (official opening on 8th)
1a space
Unit 14, Cattle Depot Artist Village
63 Ma Tau Kok Road, To Kwa Wan, Kowloon
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday and Public holiday: 12nn – 8pm
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IN FOCUS: Complaints Choir – a potted history
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It all got started when two Fins, Tellervo Kalleinen and Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen, discussed the possibility of transforming the huge energy people put into complaining into something more positive. In Finnish there is an expression "Valituskuoro" which means "Complaints Choir" and describes situations where a lot of people are complaining simultaneously. Their thought was to take this expression literally and organise a real Complaints Choir.
They offered the concept to various arts events around the world and it was the Springhill Institute in Birmingham, England, that got excited about the idea. The first Complaints Choir became a reality.
Participants were found through fliers and posters and a local musician Mike Hurley turned their complaints into an easy to learn song. After two weeks of rehearsing it was ready for performance. A hit was born.
After this surprise success, Kalleinen and Kochta-Kalleinen have been invited to initiate complaints choirs all around the globe.
To find out more or to see videos of Complaints Choirs from across the globe visit:
http://hkcomplaintschoir.blogspot.com
www.complaintschoir.org
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Thought for the day... |
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Music is well said to be the speech of angels
Thomas Carlyle
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On another note... |
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Music makes one feel so romantic – at least it always gets on ones nerves – which is the same thing nowadays.
A Woman Of No Importance (1893) Oscar Wilde
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Tongue Twister... |
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Quirky Queens Quarrel Crazily
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What's on your iPod? |
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Linda Cheng, Kassia Women's Choir member and singing student
My Choice: "“El Cuarto de Tula” (Tula’s Room)"
Artist / Album:“Buena Vista Social Club” / ““Buena Vista Social Club””
Ibrahim Ferrer, bless his soul, gets you moving as he describes how Tula’s room is on fire. The song builds up to a frenzied beats, and more references to the “fire in Tula’s room” and various men looking through her window, and putting out her fire.
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'The First Five Years' on iTunes |
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Katterwall Ltd. Tel: +852 2575 3931 Fax: +852 2542 2442
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Room 806, Arion Commercial Centre, 2-12 Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
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