Traditional Music and Dance of Vietnam

Performed by the Hong Lac Vietnamese Music & Dance Ensemble (of Canada) on October 8, 1994 at Harris Theater, George Mason University. Presented by VCSMW and co-sponsored by George Mason University Institute of the Arts.

Formed originally in 1982, the Hong Lac Ensemble was incorporated in July 1992 as a non-profit organization. It is a conglomeration of volunteers who are dedicated to preserving and promoting the Vietnamese culture and heritage. Its membership includes professionals who either graduated from dance and music institutions in Vietnam or had some training in these areas, and a great number of university and high school students. Since 1982, Hong Lac has held many performances in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Edmonton, Washington DC, Minnesota, and various cities in California. Some of their performances include World Music (1990), First Night Toronto (1992), Hong Kong Festival (1992), Vo-Dinh and Dem Tram Huong (1992), Caravan (1992), "We Love You Canada" (1993), Festival Mondial de Folklore Drummondville (1994).

The event also included performances by Dr. Nguyen Chau, a former professor of music at the Saigon Music Conservatory, who is currently the leader of the Doan Van Nghe Dan Toc Lac-Hong, a Vietnamese traditional music group based in California.

Program

Part I

1. Lotus Dance                              Mua Hoa Dang
2. Folksong of Vietnam                  Dan ca ba mien
3. Solo of two-string fiddle             Doc tau Dan Nhi
4. Love Drum Dance                     Mua Trong Com
5. Solo of the Monochord              Doc tau Dan Bau
6. Farmers' Dance                          Mua Gia Gao
7. Poem recitation                          Ngam tho
8. Coin Clapper Dance                  Mua Sanh Tien

Part II

9. Vietnamese Fashion show           Thoi Trang
10. Cham Dance                            Mua Cham
11. Folksong of Vietnam                 Dan Ca
12. Bamboo Dance                        Mua Sap
13. Finale