Concert: Silk, Bamboo, and Gai Lan
Industry event
May 25, 2024
7:30PM
Calgary’s eclectic Chinese Gai Lan Ensemble presents a special concert to celebrate Asian Heritage Month.
The program is a conversation between the past and present, where ancient instruments made from silk and bamboo give voice to exciting new musical works.
This concert features renowned suo-na artist Zhongxi Wu from Vancouver, talented erhu artist Lemon Wang, and award-winning flutist Jiajia Li, the leader of Gai Lan Ensemble.
You will hear refreshing new compositions written and arranged by 5 living Asian composers: Rita Ueda (Canada/Japan), Chris Hung (Hongkong), Guo Wenjing (China), Liu Xing (China) and Qu Dawei (China).
We are also excited to premiere a brand-new work written for us by Gai Lan Ensemble’s very own erhu player, Kainai musician Jace Eagle Bear.
Don’t miss this special Chinese music night!
We thank Calgary Foundation, Moonlight Books and Gifts, Asian Heritage Foundation and Calgary Chinatown Lion’s Club for their generous support of this event. The poster was designed by Calgary artist Michelle Ku.
About Gai Lan Ensemble:
Gai Lan Ensemble nourishes your senses with their fresh repertoire, customized arrangements, and enthusiastic performances. Led by virtuosic flutist Jiajia Li, the chamber ensemble is made up of the finest Chinese instrumentalists in Alberta. The members’ diverse musical experience — from Chinese opera, Chinese orchestra, classical, jazz and pop — resulted in Gailan Ensemble’s wildly successful first live performance at Calgary's TD Chinatown Street Festival in 2022. Other notable performances include a packed performance at the Studio Bell in 2023, as well as a collaboration with Cirque de la Nuit at Chinook Blast 2024. Follow Gai Lan on IG @gailanensemble