China? Yeah, right.

That was my reaction when told in January, 2007 that ROS was invited to participate in the Festival, and that they would take me along as "quality control" person for any broadcasts or recordings. At the time, I thought there'd be a, maybe, 25% chance this would actually happen. But the chorus's development director wasn't kidding. We're going!

Hurtles were many. While not totally sanguine, our intrepid fund-raiser was predicting that our transportation costs would be minimal. Heck, this town does tons of business in China, and led by Kodak and Zerox, manufacturers would be anxious to sign on as sponsors of a venerable Rochester institution and their dashing music director as they carry the standard half way around the globe as official guests of the Ministry of Culture. Right?

Not particularly. There's the small matter of a possible economic meltdown that has snapped shut those deep pockets. There's also the fact that people like George Eastman no longer exist. But timing was a factor, too. The runaway fuel costs delayed airline quotes for months and held up the fund raising. I guess you can't ask for money when you don't know how much to ask for.

So, instead of traveling on corporate dimes, singers and guests had to cough up their own shekels. Four long ones. We're hoping for one big matching grant to come through, but were told tonight we might have to lay down some more to cover the bill till that money comes through. Jeez!

And then there's the schedule. Between the earthquake and Tibetan protests, we've had two major appearances canceled - the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. We may get to visit those places, but not for performances. I think one of those shows will happen elsewhere but, like many other details, we probably won't know until we get there. We'll also have to see if the recently announced ban on vehicular traffic affects our itinerary.

What did Erik say? "This will be a chance to practice your flexibility."

Anyway, if you'd like to find out a bit more about ROS, their Web site is www.rossings.org. The Members link will take you to a bunch of stuff related to the trip. You'll see how complex a task the planning has been on this end. I can only imagine what the tour and festival staffs are going through right now. Something like a fire-drill comes to mind, but I'm too PC to say any more.

The 9th China International Chorus Festival

I thought I should probably explain why it is that Micky and Carl are going to China.

As it happens, Carl is the recordist for the Rochester Oratorio Society, which has been invited to participate in the above-named event. It's a fabulous opportunity for us to (finally!) do some traveling, so we both signed on.

Here's a description of the event from the China Performing Arts Agency:

Sponsored by : Bureau for External Cultural Relations , Ministry of Cultural P.R.C
China Arts & Entertainment Group.
Organized by : China Performing Arts Agency
China Cultural International Tours Inc.

China International Chorus Festival is a significant international artistic activity coorganized by the Bureau for External Cultural Relations, Ministry of Culture of the PRC, China Arts & Entertainment Group. Aim at exchange the art of chorus, to deepen the understanding between peoples and to promote peace and friendship through the exchange of chorus.

So far, it has been successfully held 8 times since 1992. During the past 16 years , hundreds of famous choirs from all over the world totaling thousands of chorus members have been to this Grand Cultural Event, they are :Bahamas Students’ Chorale, Academic Choir of Aarhus from Demark, Latvia Women’s Choir “Aija”, Manila Chamber Singers , Russian Sirin Ensemble, The Latvian Radio Choir , Wiwat Choir of Poland, The Na’ama Choir of Israel, Romania “Preludiu” Chamber Choir, Greater Boston Chinese Performing Chorus from The USA, The Volunteer Voices from the USA. And etc.

The 9th China International Chorus Festival will be held in Beijing from July 16th till July 21st ,2008 which the theme is “Singing for 2008, Cheering for Olympic Games”, and with the purpose of “Building a harmonious world for tomorrow –Peace and Friendship”. It will be a important part of the Olympic Cultural Events in 2008.

Almost more than 40 Chinese and overseas choirs of totaling around 2000 members will participate to the 9th China International Chorus Festival. The Opening Ceremony will be held in Beijing University Hall on July 16th , and the entire competition will be held in the Concert Hall of the Military Band of China from July 17th till July 20th . Meanwhile , the solo indoor concerts and the joint concerts in the opening area will be organized .The choirs have been divided into three groups : adolescent’s, adult’s, elder’s.

The Organizing Committee will present the winner choirs Gold , Silver and Bronze Awards and the Award for the best conductors in The Theatre of Beijing Exhibition Centre on July 21st, 2008.

Delighted Chinese food meet the sense of romance

I love Chinglish.

I'm amusing myself by googling some of the restaurants on our itinerary. The evening of our arrival, we'll be eating at our hotel in the Famous Peking Duck Restaurant. (That's how it's listed in the itinerary, really.) After a bit of research, I discovered that the restaurant in question is one branch of the Quanjude franchise--which is, in fact, quite famous indeed.

A description of the Duck that made them Famous:

With its long history, Quanjude roast duck is well known among both domestic and overseas customers. The duck is hung in the oven and roasted by flame burning from fruit-wood. It takes about 45 minutes for the duck to be done. The finished duck is characteristic with crispy skin, tender meat and the fragrance from the fruit-wood. It looks wonderful and appealing with a full figure, even claret color and the brightness and shine on the duck skin. It tastes pure and mellow with lotus leaf-shaped cake, scallion slices and sweet sauce jam, leaving a lasting and pleasant aftertaste.

http://www.quanjude.com.cn/e_dishes.html

Sounds delicious, especially the lotus leaf-shaped cake. Dunno about the lasting aftertaste though. I'll report back when I've eaten it.

The Quanjude's English site is competent, language-wise, and doesn't sport too many howlers. Unlike, for example, the site that describes the Wa Ha Ha, where we'll be having lunch on day 2:

restaurant profile:
At Zuiai fashion restaurant , delighted Chinese food meet the sense of romance. The dishes here are not just the foods but a mean of romance. The decoration and setting of the restaurant are especially designed for the couples which are enjoyable for dating.

http://www.eding.com.cn/english/restaurant/15/

Featured dishes?

Ancient Chinese coins Shrimp, Wahaha Bass, Drunk-love Bass, Drunk-love Jumbo Abalone and Shark Fin, Spicy Squab.

Less than two weeks to go!

And we're sweating the packing. My issue: shoes.

As of now we expect to take one carry-on, one checked bag, one laptop, and one "purse." Into these receptacles we need to fit:

• 4-5 changes of clothes each
• Sleepwear
• Meds/skeeter repellent/sunblock
• Cameras
• First aid supplies
• Books/booklight/alarm clock
• MP3 player and 'phones
• Batteries, and lots of 'em
• Snackage

And--shoes. But which shoes? Athletic shoes, of course, for managing the walking tours. That one's easy. But I'll need something a little nicer for the concerts. And because it'll be hot, I'll probably appreciate having a pair of sandals along.

Tricky, the sandals. They have to be sturdy and comfortable and go with pretty much everything. I read in another blog that they should have a heel strap, otherwise they look like bath slippers to the Chinese and are considered "rude."

The only comfortable sandals I own are my battered old Tevas. They're clunky, they smell funny, and they go with everything only if "everything" is t-shirts and shorts. (They do have a heel strap, however.) And they take up more space in a suitcase than any pair of sandals has a right to.

Speaking of shorts, we're still not sure whether we should pack any. On the one hand, our trip advisers say:

"There is no dress code for China, and there are no ‘forbidden’ clothes or colors. We will be easily identified as tourists, and are not expected to know or adhere to any particular Chinese cultural expectations for clothing color or style."

And on the other:

"China is a conservative country. One does not have to dress formally, but shorts and tank tops are probably not okay. Loose fitting, conservative clothing will be
comfortable for everyday wear. Short-sleeves (shirts, dresses) are okay."

So nothing is forbidden, but shorts are (probably) not okay. Got it. At least I have the option of skirts or capris. Not sure what Carl's going to do.