{"id":54814,"date":"2024-11-15T13:03:43","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T18:03:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=54814"},"modified":"2024-11-15T13:03:44","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T18:03:44","slug":"on-stage-international-flavor-for-performances-this-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=54814","title":{"rendered":"On stage: International flavor for performances this weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Denny Dyroff,<\/strong> Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\"\"The selection of musical events this weekend has a bit of an international flavor with a Chinese dance and music show in West Chester, a concert by a Jewish-American singer\/songwriter who was born in West Chester and a concert by a dance\/pop singer from Eastern Europe.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
On November 16, Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>) will host the Philadelphia Melody Performance Association\u2019s Golden Autumn Gala, a celebration of the beautiful harvest season with Chinese culture.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cWe do this show once a year,\u201d said Philadelphia Melody Performance Association\u2019s Philadelphia Melody Performance Association\u2019s Li Hong, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon.<\/div>\n
\u201cWe have our dance group and our choir and special guest professionals.<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
On Saturday, the professional guest performers will be Yang Jin and Yinuo Yang. There will also be performances by the Philadelphia Melody Choir and the Philadelphia Melody Dance Troupe as well as solo artists.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Yang Jin is a renowned Pipa soloist, having graduated from world-renowned Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing with distinguished honor. In 2004, she won Silver Award in the most prestigious Chinese Golden Bell Award for Music.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Yang Jin is a winner of the Global Music Awards Silver Medal and Outstanding Achievement Award. She has performed in world-class venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Kennedy Center.<\/div>\n
Hailed as one of the most energetic, passionate, and respected pipa masters, Yang Jin graduated from the renowned Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and subsequently taught at the Wuhan Conservatory of Music.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The pipa is a lute-like instrument that has been around for over two thousand years. During the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 B.C.-220 A.D.), instruments with long, straight necks and round resonators were played with a forward and backward plucking motion that sounded like \u201cpi\u201d and \u201cpa.\u201d As a result, all plucked instruments in ancient times were called \u201cpipa.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
During the Tang dynasty, the introduction of a crooked neck lute with a pear-shaped body contributed to the pipa\u2019s evolution. Today\u2019s instrument consists of 26 frets and six ledges arranged as stops and its four strings are tuned respectively to A, D, E and A. The pipa’s many left- and right-hand fingering techniques, rich tonal qualities and resonant timber give its music expressiveness and beauty.<\/div>\n
Yang Jin has won many awards.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In 2004, she earned the prestigious Golden Bell Award for Music in China, and she won a Silver Award at the Global Music Awards. Jin collaborates with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble and has performed at esteemed venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and Harris Theater.<\/div>\n
She is an instructor at the University of Delaware\u2019s Master Players Concert & Festival and serves as a judge for the Hummingbird International Music Competition at the Eastman School of Music.<\/div>\n
Yang Jin has performed as a soloist with many prominent orchestras, including the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Macao Chinese Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Japan’s Royal City Orchestra, the Chinese Orchestra of the Central Conservatory of Music, the Oriental Chinese Orchestra and The Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
She was also the featured pipa performer at the 2020 Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival for the World Premiere of \u201cQuintet: Four Inscapes,\u201d composed by Ross Edwards. Since 2013, Yang Jin has led various crossover ensembles, including the Pittsburgh Purple Bamboo Music Ensemble, the Helio Phoenix Trio, HarmoniZing, Afro Yaqui Music Collective, J4, and the Summer Breeze Jazz Ensemble.<\/div>\n
Yang Yinuo\u00a0is a virtuoso Chinese five-string violinist with a deep passion for music. She has extensive experience performing both as a soloist and in ensembles, having performed at prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center, Fisher Center for Performing Arts, Woolsey Hall, Curtis Theater.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Her performances have been well received by many. She was invited to perform Ravel Tzigane under the baton of Paul Hostetter, the Grammy Award, with Columbus State University, Schwob School of Music Symphony Orchestra. This concert was so significant that it has been memorialized on the school’s website.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Her performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major Op. 35 was the highlight of the concert season, which was under the baton of Dr. Fred Cohen, American composer and conductor. Ms. Yang was invited as a soloist on tour in southern China in 2015 and has achieved significant success with sold-out concerts.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ms. Yang released her new solo violin album \u201cSentimental Romance\u201d in 2024. The album is available on major platforms.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
She has received numerous awards for her exceptional talent. She was awarded 2nd Place-National at the National Finals of the Music Teachers National Association (Young Artist Division), and the Gold Award at the Atlanta International Music Competition.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Over the years, she has worked with such renowned violinists and artistic groups such as Shmuel Ashkenasi, Midori Goto, Cho-liang Lin, Ani Kavafian, Tokyo Quartet, Brentano Quartet, Shanghai Quartet, and others.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ms. Yang received her Master of Musical Arts Degree in Stringed Instruments at the Yale University School of Music under Hyo Kang. She obtained her Bachelor of Music Degree program at Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music, where she studied with Sergiu Schwartz.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Born in Guangdong Province, China, she began taking violin lessons at the age of 5. At age 11, she was admitted into the Elementary School affiliated with the Central Conservatory of Music, under the instruction of Zhao Weijian.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
She continued to study at the Middle School affiliated with the Central Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Zhao Wei and Wu Yang, the concertmaster of China Philharmonic Orchestra.<\/div>\n
Yang Yinuo will perform Anton Dvorak\u2019s \u201cNew World Symphony\u201d and Antonio Vivaldi\u2019s \u201cFour Seasons \u2013 Summer.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Later in the program, Yang Jin will play an ancient Chinese song, \u201cBlossoms on a Moonlit River in Spring,\u201d and a Dong Liu composition, \u201cRed Flame Ribbon.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The concert also features Kelly Ye (conductor), Stephen Li (piano) and Wenjun Guo (choreographer).<\/div>\n
Video link for the Philadelphia Melody Performance Association — https:\/\/youtu.be\/LlwoGPMrL0s?list=PLSa6LT7rA027SgtBVkSc_Ppiu7U1G2iO9<\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The show at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center will start at 3 p.m. on November 16.<\/div>\n
Tickets are $20.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Other upcoming shows at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center are Yacht Rock on November 14, Johnny Folsom 4 on November 15, Better Than Bacon on November 16 and Trout Fishing in America on November 17.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"

Trout Fishing in America<\/p><\/div>\n

Trout Fishing in America\u00a0is an American musical duo from\u00a0Houston, Texas. The members are Keith Grimwood (vocals, bass guitar,\u00a0upright bass,\u00a0fiddle, piano) and Ezra Idlet (vocals, guitars, banjo,\u00a0bouzouki, percussion).<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Both musicians were previously members of the folk-rock band\u00a0Wheatfield, also known as St. Elmo\u2019s Fire. They took their name from the novel\u00a0Trout Fishing in America\u00a0by\u00a0Richard Brautigan.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The duo has released 24 studio albums through their own label, Trout Music. Trout Fishing in America is known for varied musical styles, with albums alternating between folk rock\u00a0and children\u2019s music, as well as the contrast between Grimwood\u2019s and Idlet\u2019s stage presence (Idlet, 6\u00a0foot-9\u00a0inches; Grimwood, 5\u00a0foot 5\u00a0inches.).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In addition to their music, Trout Fishing in America holds songwriting workshops with children. Four of their albums have been nominated for\u00a0Grammy Awards.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Idlet was attending college in\u00a0San Antonio, Texas, on a basketball scholarship when he decided to perform music instead. He worked at a\u00a0dinner theater\u00a0in\u00a0Houston, Texas,\u00a0and then joined Wheatfield\/St. Elmo\u2019s Fire.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Grimwood, a native of\u00a0Alabama, originally performed in the\u00a0Houston Symphony\u00a0and chose to join St. Elmo\u2019s Fire in 1976 when the symphony went on strike.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
When several St. Elmo\u2019s Fire gigs in California were canceled, Grimwood and Idlet began performing together on the streets in order to earn money. They also performed for patrons of a local restaurant and entered a local talent competition.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
When St. Elmo\u2019s Fire disbanded in 1979, Grimwood and Idlet officially began performing and recording as Trout Fishing in America.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The duo\u2019s debut album, \u201cYou Bore Me to Death,\u201d was released in 1979. Its most recent LPs are \u201cThe Strangest Times\u201d (2017), \u201cThe Dusty Dozen\u201d (2018) and \u201cSafe House\u201d (2022).<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Trout Fishing in America was in the first wave of artist owned labels (Trout Records) to successfully record and market its own music. In 2008, Performing Songwriter Magazine chose Trout as one of the top 100 most influential independent artists in the past 15 years.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The band\u2019s recordings have garnered three National Indie Awards, multiple Parents Choice and NAPPA Gold awards, the American Library Award, as well as four Grammy nominations.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\u201cWe never got picked up by a major record company, so Ezra and I decided to form our own company,\u201d said Grimwood. \u201cWe started our own label and learned how to record at the same time.<\/div>\n
\u201cWe started playing together in 1976 as members of St. Elmo\u2019s Fire (a Houston-based eclectic folk\/rock band). After a while, we left the band and moved to Santa Cruz, California where we worked as a duo. We told people the name was Trout Fishing in America as early as 1977.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Video link for Trout Fishing in America \u2013 https:\/\/music.youtube.com\/watch?v=byvEJzGlQOI<\/a>.<\/div>\n
The show at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center will start at 4 p.m. on November 17.<\/div>\n
Tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for students.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Back on the international front, there are Matisyahu and Nini Iris.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Matisyahu, who will headline a show on November 18 at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com<\/a>), was born Matthew Paul Miller\u00a0in June 1979 in West Chester.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
He is an American reggae<\/a>\u00a0singer, rapper<\/a>, beatboxer<\/a>, and musician.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Matisyahu\u00a0is an\u00a0Ashkenazic Hebrew\u00a0pronunciation of the\u00a0Biblical Hebrew\u00a0name\u00a0Mattithyahu\u00a0meaning \u201cGift of God.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Matisyahu released his debut album \u201cShake Off the Dust… Arise\u201d in 2004.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
For nearly two decades, Matisyahu has kept his creative spirit aflame by evolving his sound, melding genres, and testing the limits of the musical traditions that have inspired him.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
His latest release is \u201cHold The Fire.\u201d The EP\u2019s leadoff single, \u201cFireproof,\u201d takes inspiration from a fire dream inspired by Matisyahu’s Old Testament religion, which has meant so much to his spiritual and creative life since his recording career began in 2004.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Today, he continues to be inspired by evolving musical trends, finding linkages and loops between eras and genres. Matisyahu’s spirituality has evolved in parallel with his music, though his Jewish heritage remains a central theme throughout his life and music.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Video link for Matisyahu — https:\/\/youtu.be\/c0FrA6-op-E<\/a>.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The show at the Sellersville Theater on November 18, tickets range from $59.50-$89.50.<\/div>\n
On November 19, the Sellersville Theater will present a talented young singer from the capital of Georgia \u2013 Nini Iris.<\/div>\n
However, this capital is not Atlanta. It is Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, a\u00a0transcontinental country in\u00a0Eastern Europe and West Asia.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Iris is a singer from Tbilisi who competed in the 24th season of The Voice with Niall Horan as her coach. She has a unique style of dark pop with folk influences and original compositions.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Featured on Billboard, People & NBC\u2019s The Voice; Season 24\u2019s Top 9 Semifinalist, Iris astounded millions with her haunting rendition of Billie Eilish\u2019s \u201cNo Time To Die,\u201d her power ballad version of The Cure\u2019s \u201cLovesong\u201d and wowed audiences and fans with her show stopping cover of Radiohead\u2019s \u201cKarma Police.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Born and raised in Tbilisi, Iris grew up in a household that enjoyed listening to only traditional Georgian folk music. While living in Georgia, she auditioned and performed for Georgia\u2019s XFactor and The Voice, where she placed as a Top 3 finalist.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Almost a decade later, she auditioned for NBC\u2019s The Voice and placed in the Top 9 of all contestants. While on the show, Iris gained her US citizenship.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Less than a year later, Iris was honored to sing the National Anthem as a new citizen at the first home game for the Kansas City Chiefs vs the Detroit Lions for over 70,000 fans.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Iris\u2019 unique writing and singing style delivers an \u201cOld World\u201d charm combined with dark textured overtones, with an aggressive pop edge.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Video link for Nini Iris — https:\/\/youtu.be\/GFm9l-M8Pp0<\/a>.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The show at the Sellersville Theater on November 19 will start at 8 p.m.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Tickets range from $25-$39.50.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Other upcoming shows at the Sellersville Theater are The Fabulous Thunderbirds on November 14, Gibson Brothers on November 15, Alison Brown on November 16, The Brooklyn Bridge on November 17, and John Splithoff on November 17.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) is presenting \u201cSongwriters and Storytellers\u201d on November 15, Dan\u00a0&\u00a0Joe\u00a0on November 16 and the Dale Melton Trio on November 17.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) will host Garry Cogdell with Seth Holzman on November 15 and Micheal London & Friends on November 16.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Jamey\u2019s features a popular \u201cJazz at Jamey\u2019s\u201d on Thursday featuring many of the best singers in the region performing a set from 7-8 p.m. with the backing of the Dave Reiter Trio and occasional guest musicians.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Every Sunday, Jamey\u2019s presents \u201cSUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH & JAM\u201d featuring the Philly Blues Kings.<\/div>\n
Rivers Casino (1001 North Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, www.riverscasino.com<\/a>) will host the on \u201cPOP 2000 TOUR\u201d\u00a0on November 16.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The POP 2000 TOUR features Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC along with the current editions of O-Town, BBMak, Ryan Cabrera and LFO.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Kirkpatrick is an American singer, dancer, actor, and voice actor who is best known for his work as a founding member of the pop group *NSYNC.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
As a voice actor, he has worked on numerous kids shows, including voicing the character of Chip Skylark on \u201cThe Fairly Oddparents\u201d. In 2022, he competed in Season 3 of \u201cCelebrity Big Brother\u201d and \u201cThe Masked Singer\u201d.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
O-Town\u2019s story began in 1999, when \u201cMaking the Band\u201d chronicled the rise to success of O-Town throughout three seasons of the series on both ABC and MTV.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The group\u2019s first two full- length albums included #1 singles, \u201cLiquid Dreams\u201d and \u201cAll or Nothing\u201d and the Top 40 hit \u201cWe Fit Together.\u201d \u201cAll or Nothing\u201d was nominated for Song of the Year at the Radio Music Awards in 2001.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
BBMak Originally formed in 1997, BBMAK (Mark Barry, Christian Burns, and Stephen McNally) are officially \u201cBack Here\u201d after a 15-year hiatus.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The multi-platinum-selling English pop group has sold more than three million albums and had hit singles worldwide before disbanding in 2003.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Best known for their self-penned infectious guitar-driven hits \u201cBack Here\u201d, \u201cOut of My Heart\u201d, and \u201cThe Ghost of You and Me\u201d, BBMAK was one of the few bands during the pop explosion of the early 2000s to play their own instruments and write their own songs.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Cabrera is the singer and songwriter behind ubiquitous smashes such as \u201cOn the Way Down,\u201d \u201cTrue\u201d and \u201cShine On\u201d as well as albums including 2004\u2019s Take It All Away, which hit #8 on the Billboard Top 200.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Cabrera was also featured heavily on MTV\u2019s \u201cAshlee Simpson Show\u201d and \u201cThe Hills\u201d.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
LFO burst onto the scene in 1999 with the #1 smash hit \u201cSummer Girls\u201d and followed with another top five hit in \u201cGirl on TV\u201d and the top ten hit, \u201cEvery Other Time.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The \u201cPOP 2000 TOUR\u201d will get underway at 8 p.m. on November 16.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Tickets are $39.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The selection of musical events this weekend has a bit of an international flavor with a Chinese dance and music show in West Chester, a concert by a Jewish-American singer\/songwriter who was born in West Chester and a concert by a dance\/pop singer from Eastern Europe. On November […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54812,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[7426,15859,5758],"class_list":["post-54814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-philadelphia-melody-performance-associations-golden-autumn-gala","tag-trout-fishing-in-america"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54814","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=54814"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54814\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54815,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54814\/revisions\/54815"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/54812"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=54814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=54814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=54814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}