The China Changing Festival at The Southbank Centre

CHINESE ARTS NOW (CAN) PRESENTS WORK EXPLORING THE MEANING OF BEING CHINESE IN BRITAIN TODAY AS PART OF THE CHINA CHANGING FESTIVAL AT SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Chinese Arts Now (CAN) is delighted to be working with Southbank Centre’s China Changing Festival, which runs from Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th October, showcasing contemporary Chinese culture and its connection to the UK.

CAN will be exploring the contrasts and synergy between Eastern and Western musical traditions with ‘Coalesce’, a unique free lunchtime concert featuring Cheng Yu, one of the world’s foremost players of the guqin and pipa and concert pianist An-Ting Chang.

CAN’s theatre offer ‘Citizens of Nowhere?’ written by Ming Ho (BBC Radio 4, Writers & Guild Awards 2018) – a timely drama on the contemporary British Chinese experience, and what it means to be British Chinese in the context of British society today.

‘Ways of Being Together’ examines belonging and community, featuring a discussion and movement workshop led by director, choreographer and performer Jo Fong. ‘Ways of Being Together’ was developed through workshops, gatherings and pilot performances at Hull City of Culture and Xintiandi Festival, Shanghai. The work explores connection, communication and conversation, and the act and art of bringing people together through movement.

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Chinese Arts Now events:

FRIDAY LUNCH: COALESCE: GUQIN & PIANO
Friday 5 October 2018, Royal Festival Hall’s Central Bar, 1.00 – 2:00pm, Free

Cheng Yu and concert pianist An-Ting Chang will present solo classical pieces on the guqin, pipa and piano to offer an experience of contrasting expressions from the east and west. Together, they will perform new duo pieces (guqin and piano) co-composed by the two musicians, weaving their performances into an inspiring whole and responding to the forms of each tradition. Tea will be provided during each piece which will be selected and provided by JING Tea.

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CITIZENS OF NOWHERE?
Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 October 2018, Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer, Sat – 2:30 – 3:15pm, 4:30 – 5:15pm and Sun – 1:30 – 2:15pm, 4:00 – 4:45pm, 6+, £10

A co-production between Chinese Arts Now and Beijing 707N Theatre. Citizens of Nowhere? is an immersive and involving drama exploring generational and cultural identities within a British Chinese family. Equipped with headphones, audiences will eavesdrop on a conversation between a British Chinese mother, Linda Lo, her son, Jun Chi and daughter Jane played by actors on a nearby table. Written by Ming Ho, the script explores the contemporary British Chinese experience, offering a glimpse into the inner lives of fellow citizens.

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WAYS OF BEING TOGETHER: DISCUSSION
Friday 5 October 2018, Sunley Pavilion, 6:00pm – 9.00pm, 16+, Free Ticketed

This discussion is part of Ways of Being Together, a series of workshops, discussions and performances centered around the idea of belonging. Jo Fong will lead a round-table discussion on the concept of community while exploring the abstract concept of “Chineseness” in Britain.

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WAYS OF BEING TOGETHER: MOVEMENT WORKSHOP
Saturday 6 October 2018, Royal Festival Hall’s Blue Room, 1:30 – 6.00pm, 6+, Free

Ways of Being Together is part of  a series of workshops, discussions and performances centred around the idea of belonging. Through collective movement and interaction choreographer Jo Fong is interested in exploring spontaneity and authentic encounters.

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Website: chineseartsnow.org.uk
Twitter: #chineseartsnow
Facebook: facebook.com/chineseartsnow/

 

Chinese Arts Now (CAN) is the first National Portfolio Organisation supported by the Arts Council England representing British Chinese artists. CAN was founded in 2005 as a not-for-profit arts organisation (formerly Chinese/Chinatown Arts Space). CAN produces and curates an imaginative, diverse and accessible programme of performance art which reflects Chinese stories and elements in contemporary and innovative ways. In 2019 CAN will host the UK’s first arts festival dedicated to British-Chinese performance, visual arts and culture.