Arts Centre Vooruit, Ghent, Belgium

Voices and singers have always a quintessential part of Chinese culture and remain fascinating to Western ears. A trip to Beijing is not complete without a visit the opera house. Expect an amalgam of mime, dance and acrobatics, yet still centred on music, dialogue and vocals. This is why we will be focussing on voices at the first night of China Express.

Eastern Voices with Gong Linna, Li Huafu, Li Huaxiu, Wang Zhifang & He Jinhua

20:00 Domzaal – ethnic & traditional vocals (4×15 min)

A host of Chinese minority groups will perform traditional songs. The most notable singer on the programme is Gong Linna, one of the biggest stars of traditional Chinese music. With breathtaking perfection and vocal versatility, she transforms the lightness of ancient Chinese melodies into contemporary compositions.

Wu Fei solo

21:20 Domzaal – guzheng & vocals

Aside from her collaboration with several Belgian artists on the second day of China Express, Wu Fei will also be performing solo. Her guzheng, a Chinese zither, produces magical Eastern sounds as she drapes her voice over traditional sounds like silk, or unleashes it like thunder. Wu Fei’s blend of traditional elements and more experimental concepts leaves nobody indifferent.

Karaoke

22:00 Café – free admission – in collaboration with the University of Ghent

What better way to end the evening than with karaoke?
The Chinese Students Association Ghent (ChiSag) and the University of Ghent’s China Platform call for singers!