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
 
   
   Director, Katterwall
 
 
 
 

 
MEET...Vangi Fong

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

 

 
 

 
 
IN FOCUS: Complaints Choir – a potted history


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


 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
UPCOMING @ KATTERWALL


August
4th : Summer Fling 2009 with Kassia Men and Women begins rehearsals

9th – 30th : Complaints Choir Exhibition @ 1a Space, To Kwa Wan
12nn – 8pm, Tuesday – Sunday. Entrance free.

10th - 14th : Hullaballoo @ Sheung Wan Civic Centre

10th - 14th : Singing'SKool @ Sheung Wan Civic Centre

26th : Complaints Choir rehearsal – open to everyone @ Katterwall Studio
Contact celia@katterwall.com to enrol

29th : Summer Fling First Show @ Li Hall, St. John's Cathedral, 6pm
Tickets from Katterwall Office & Choir Members

September
18th : Summer Fling Second Show @ HK Fringe Club, 8pm
Tickets from HKTicketing from mid-August

October
Rehearsals begin for Kassia Men and Women "Martini's & Mistletoe" Christmas show.

SINGING LESSONS are available at Katterwall throughout the summer
Drop celia@katterwall.com a line to enquire about availability

 
     
Thought for the day...  
 


Music is well said to be the speech of angels
Thomas Carlyle

 
     

   
On another note...
 

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

Tongue Twister...
  Quirky Queens Quarrel Crazily
   
     
What's on your iPod?  
 
 
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.

 

 

     
'The First Five Years' on iTunes  
 
 


 

Katterwall Ltd. Tel: +852 2575 3931 Fax: +852 2542 2442
Room 806, Arion Commercial Centre, 2-12 Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
For general enquiries, please contact Celia Leung at info@katterwall.com