Malan Flower musical

China Children's Art Theatre stages their newly rehearsed fairy tale musical Malan Flower this weekend.

The beautiful Malan flowers are blossoming everywhere on Malan Mountain. The hardworking girl Xiao Lan is married to the god of flowers, Ma Lang. They live a very diligent and happy life in harmony with Grandpa Tree and all the lovely little animals. But the greedy Old Cat makes use of the jealousy of Elder Sister Da Lan to kill Xiao Lan in an attempt to keep the magic Malan flower under her possession. However, Malan flowers are always in blossom for the diligent and hardworking people...

This fairy tale musical has witnessed the growth of three generations of New China, adding happiness to their childhood.

Tickets: 40-280 yuan (US$5-35)

Time/date: 7:30 pm, August 19-21

Location: The Great Theatre of China Nationalities, west of Xidan Area

Tel: 6602-2530

Magic flute

Flutist Ron Korb and his companions from Canada will tour Beijing to convey their magic of the flute.

Known as the "Prince of flutes" and "flute traveller", Ron Korb's creations are an electrifying blend of eastern and western music. Each and every note represents a delicate brush stroke, fusing colour, light, and shadows to portray intricate patterns and poetic images.

Ron Korb's music transcends cultural boundaries and speaks to people of all nations and races. Through his music, Ron achieves the intercultural harmony that is so elusive in our world today. What makes his work truly unique is Ron's ability to reach deep within his spirit to project pure charisma and connect with his audiences. Listeners forget their problems and feel uplifted, rejuvenated and inspired. The beautiful human vocal quality of his flute paints his rich life experience, which Ron Korb generously shares with the world.

In the Beijing performance, three women will join the group, adding a romantic flavour to the natural sound.

Tickets: 100-1,280 yuan (US$12-158)

Time/date: 7:30 pm, September 23,24

Location: Century Theatre, Liangmaqiao Lu

Tel: 6468-3311

Tour of love

Taiwan singer David Tao Zhe, who is on a performing tour around the world, arrives in Beijing next month.

Tao Zhe was born into a highly musical family. His father is an expert in Western pop music while his mother is from a family famous for playing Beijing Opera. This probably explains why Tao Zhe's music is a mixture of Western and Chinese styles.

Tao Zhe approaches pop music from a unique angle, which separates him from common pop singers. Having just completed his new album Times of Peace and Prosperity - which he says is aimed at making fun of the present pop climate - he is now concentrating on an extended tour. With the song Forever Love You as the theme of the concert, Tao Zhe aims to share his love and ideas for life and music directly with his fans.

Tickets: 180-1,280 yuan (US$22-158)

Time/date: 7:30 pm, September 10

Location: Capital Gymnasium, Baishiqiaolu

Tel: 6835-4055

Beautiful timbre

Jasmine Leong will meet her Beijing fans next month. Singing with beautiful timbre, Leong will present a series of love stories to the audience.

Jasmine Leong is a Malaysian singer who is very popular on the Taiwan music scene. Focusing on lyrical songs, Leong's Beijing performance will also tap into rock & roll music.

To highlight the theme of love, 200 sets of lover's tickets, valued at 1800 yuan will be presented.

Tickets: 180-980 yuan (US$22-121)

Time/date: 7:30 pm, September 9

Location: Workers' Gymnasium, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District

Tel: 6501-6655

Music for children

Some 50 colourful music-related performances will be staged until August 28 in an "Open the Door to Music" series of concerts, in a move to foster Chinese children's taste for art.

The mix of musical treats for children in Beijing includes various kinds of art forms, including Western classical music and Chinese traditional music, as well as puppet plays, crosstalk shows, and highlights of Chinese local operas such as Peking Operas and Kunqu Operas.

The concert series will be held in several venues, sponsored by the Forbidden City Concert Hall and supported by the Beijing Municipal Culture Bureau.

Tickets: 10-100 yuan (US$1-12)

Time/date: 2 pm or 7:30 pm, July 20-August 28

Location: mainly in the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Zhongshan Park, some in Peking University Hall in Haidian District and in the China Puppet Art Theatre and Poly Theatre

Tel: 6506-5343, 6506-5345

Green Beijing

A rock festival will be staged in Beijing for participants to enjoy the summer nights at weekends.

Altogether 20 rock & roll bands will appear on stage, spreading lively and hot sounds into the audiences. Aiming to merge the charm of music with the life of ordinary people, the sponsor has chosen the colour green as the symbol of the concert, and hopes to create a bridge between neighbourhoods.

Tickets: 100-280 yuan (US$12-35)

Time/date: 7 pm, every Saturday from August 20 - September 10

Location: Fenghuayuan Drive-in Cinema, East of Yansha Bridge, Dongsanhuan Lu, Chaoyang District

Tel: 6432-9884

Topic of love

A modern drama themed on the expression of love between two young people will be staged.

Jiangshan and Wawa, the two characters of the play, were both hurt by love before. They cannot forget how the temperature of their love was lowered and they fear to face new emotions. With the help of Angel Cupid, they finally realize their deep love towards each other.

Tickets: 100, 280 (US$12, 35)

Time/date: 8 pm, August 5-September 3 (except Sunday and Monday)

Location: Experimental Theatre of the People's Art Theatre, Wangfujing Dajie

Tel: 6525-0996, 8421-6765

Classic ballet

Extracts of Napoli and Raymonda will be staged in Beijing in September.

The famous six-people-dance is from Auguste Bournoville's Napoli. The fisherman Gernaro's bride, Teresina, is swept overboard in a storm. She is saved by the sea sprite Golfo, who takes her to his blue grotto on the island of Capri. Gernaro finds her there at last, and in the third act they celebrate their wedding with a divertissement, finishing with a lively Tarantella. Usually only the third act is now performed but the complete ballet is still in the repertoire of the Royal Danish Ballet.

Raymonda is the last work of Petipa, the founder of Russian classic ballet. With elegant and complicated dancing language, it tells a love story from the Middle Ages in France. The exotic choreography, together with the beautiful music present a splendid scene and show a wide variety of styles to the audience.

Tickets: 80-680 yuan (US$10-84)

Time/date: 7:30 pm, September 4

Location: Poly Theatre, Dongsi Shitiao

Tel: 6506-5345, 6506-5343

(China Daily 08/19/2005 page14)