CHINESE FABLES AND FAIRY TALES

CHINESE FABLES AND FAIRY TALES

BY Gerrye Wong  January 27, 2020

A thrilling performance is coming to San Jose when the GUGU DRUM GROUP, a high energy drumming ensemble from Shanghai, descends onto the Hammer Theatre Center stage on Friday, January 31, this week.  A MUSICAL SPECTACLE NOT TO BE MISSED!

How lucky to have them coming to Silicon Valley as this group  captured international attention when it appeared in the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies.  They use percussion to weave together ancient Chinese stories. In this San Jose one night performance, old proverbs and fables such as “King Quin & His Troops,” “Bull & Tiger,” and “Women Generals of Yang Family” will be presented through  colorful costumes and epic drum performances. Dancers and drummers will unite in a spectacular performance to recreate these timeless pieces, throwbacks to ancient Chinese Dynasties with a modern twist while offering a lively performance that illustrates China’s extensive history through rhythm.  GUGU DRUM GROUP will bring its one-of-a-kind talents to the Hammer Theatre Center in downtown San Jose at 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose.  For tickets ($25-$35): visit www.hammertheatre.com or call 408 924 8501

Director Yang Xiaodong is bringing this Shanghai based group to recreate authentic ancient drum movements representing a powerful lineage dating back to the times of the Emperors of Chinese Dynasties.  In one segment, performers will present a thrilling display of pure force and athleticism.  The audience will be amazed how through the magic of drum and dance, these ancient fables and fairytales will be brought to life in a captivating production to be enjoyed by all ages.

This will be a wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of the Chinese New Year of the Rat.  Come be thrilled by this world renowned troupe of Chinese drum performers.  Let’s all go there together and tap our feet to this historical concert of masterful drumming! See you there!

VISITING CHINA, THE LAND OF OUR FOREFATHERS

A perfect time to renew acquaintances and remember their recent Chongqing/Guangdong Adventure to China, my November group of China Chums held their reunion at the restaurant of their leader, Frank Chang, the CHINA STIX RESTAURANT in Santa Clara. 

Welcomed by proprietors Betty and Frank Chang, there was much exchange of photos to remember and rekindle their enthusiasm of visiting the Chongging/Guangdong area.  At the reunion the tour members sang a song in tribute to Frank, their leader, as composed by fellow tour mate Chuck Leong.

The 12 day tour featured visiting the UNESCO site of the Huashan Rock Art via a deluxe cruise to marvel at the Huashan Murals with its precious ancient rock paintings .  As group members Wendy Wong, Ginger Lai, Sylvia Eng, Howard and Pat Seto recalled, the Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape was an extensive assembly of historical rock art painted on limestone cliff faces. These were added to the World Cultural Heritage List in 2016 and despite studies many mysteries still remain on how and when these paintings were made and what happened to its creators to make them suddenly stop painting.

Caption: primitive rock art of Huashan Murals

Another highlight recalled at the reunion by Chuck and Deanna Leong, Milton Loo, Chris Pendley and Lan Tran was the Detian Waterfall Scenic Area.  While riding on the bamboo rafts along the Guichun River, they remembered the excitement of getting so close we could feel the mists exploring the second largest transnational waterfall in the world, bordering Vietnam with its width at 200 meters and a drop of more than 70 meters.  I was enthralled with the force of water rushing down the three-tiered cliff where its thunderous noise was audible even before we came into view of the falls.

Caption: Detian Waterfall thrills spectators Howard Setos and Calvin Wongs

Other exciting features of our trip to China was having nightly banquets of Chinese delicacies ordered by our restauranteur leader, Frank Chang.  One banquet highlight was the presentation of a whole baby roast pig, probably barely a month old. Another night we feasted on sharksfin soup, outlawed in the US, and followed always by about 12 other entrée selections.

Caption: Roast pig dinner enjoyed by Jane Yee, Calvin Wong and Howard and Pat Seto.

In Guilin, we took a boat ride passing under numerous brightly colored bridges.  In Yongshou, two hours away via bus passing through gigantic mounds of green covered hills, we arrive at the famous Silver Cave known for its interesting stalactite formations vividly lit in every color of the rainbow.

Caption: Large crowds enjoy colorful stalactite formations inside Silver Cave,

China seems to have an affinity to make every scenic site resplendent with brightly lit colored lights, whether it be giant cave formations or its mile high skyscrapers in every city.

Any trip to China’s immense land is exciting with its natural scenery, but of course, we were always in awe when the guide would announce we were visiting a small town, and then announced it contained up to 3 million citizens.  We’re used to saying my hometown of Sunnyvale is a small town of 150,000 inhabitants, not counting in the millions as in China.  If and when you have a chance to travel to China, be prepared for unbelievable crowds of people, but take time to go to the country sides, leaving the big multi-million citizenship cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, to take in the natural wonders of China’s  “smaller” towns.

Our guide nonchalantly one day mentioned that China has about 1.5 billion people now whereas our own little United States can only boast of approximately 350  million inhabitants.  Now do you wonder why the world looks to China as perhaps the leader of the world someday? Our group of China Chums, the Aaron Wongs, Gene Lims, Tammie Wong Art and Leslie Sederquist, and David Yees all agreed, visiting one’s land of our roots has been an adventure to behold, and no matter how many times we return, there will always be fascinating sights, sounds and history to learn from and enjoy.

SHE LOVES ME” COMES TO SARATOGA

If you’re ready to close your television screens to programs of violence, tragic news and mysterious happenings,   the South Bay Musical Theatre has just the program for you to enjoy.  Its new production of “She Loves Me” is a lighthearted, charming romantic comedy the whole family can enjoy with its tale of love triumphing over animosity.  A very talented stellar cast and highly talented production staff turned the small stage into a singing-and-dancing love letter to  South Bay audiences ready for a nice relaxing evening enjoying music.

Set in a 1930’s perfumery, the story line is about feuding shop clerks, each of whom responds anonymously to each other’s want ad. Everyone over 60 will recognize the heart-warming title tune and hum along with the actors on stage.  What better way to celebrate the Valentine season with your best friend sweetheart than with this Broadway favorite?   This is a great opportunity to support this 57 year old South Bay Musical Theater group which has consistently through its history brought top flight talent and music to local theater audiences. She Loves Me runs to February 15 at Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitcale Ave., Saratoga, CA.  Tickets:  www.SouthBayMT.com or calling 408 266 4734.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR ! May it bring good health and happiness to us all!