East meets West with respect, humour and groove!
Award-winning Canadian entertainer Rick Scott and
celebrated Hong Kong magician/musician Harry Wong team up for a lively
concert filled withmusic,. magic and merriment.
Harry Goh Goh and his unlikely Guardian Angel
(Rick)learn to juggle life’s 5 essential elements (earth, metal, water,
wood and fire)in English and Cantonese.
Jester meets trickster in this magical musical that
promotes harmony and understanding between cultures through songs,
humour and visual illusions.
Learning about the 5 Elements has never been so much fun!
www.rickscott.cawww.harrywong.cc
Rick Scott and Harry Wong – ‘THE 5 ELEMENTS’
- East meets West with respect, humour and groove
- An
international collaboration between two acclaimed family entertainers
from Canada and Hong Kong that promotes understandingand harmony
between races and cultures - Premiered
to 5000 people at Hong Kong’s international Arts Carnival in July 2003
and will tour Canadian children’s festivals in May/June 2004, with 35
shows in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Calgary, St. Albert & London - Harry Wong is seen each week on Sunday on Fairchild TV on the show BEANSLAND (in the M.I. Kids time slot)
- THE
5 ELEMENTS CD, nominated for a Canadian Independent Music Award
(Favourite Children’s Artist), features 13 songs with a lively blend of
English and Cantonese lyrics - Each song represents one of the 5 essential elements of life—
earth, metal, water, wood and fire
- Music
ranges from classical to folk and R&B, including a Bach partita and
a traditional Chinese folk melody with cheeky English lyrics performed
in the style of Gilbert and Sullivan - The CD features Vancouver’s foremost musicians as well as celebrated Japanese violinist Ayako Ichimaru
- Supported by the Canada Council For The Arts and the Government of Canada – FACTOR.
For further information contact Valley Hennell
250-740-0047 vhennell@island.net
Website Links
www.rickscott.cawww.harrywong.cc
www.the5elementsshow.com
Rick Scott and Harry Wong – ‘THE 5 ELEMENTS’
CANADIAN TOUR ITINERARY / TICKET INFORMATION
May 12-15 NANAIMO, BC 3 shows +
Van Island Intl Children’s Festival workshops
School show tix: 250-754-3378
Weekend tickets: 250-754-8550
May 16 VICTORIA, BC
McPherson Playhouse 1 show
Kaleidoscope Theatre presents
Tickets 250-386-6121
May 17-24 VANCOUVER. BC 6 shows +
Vancouver Intl Children’s Festival workshops
School tickets: 604-684-6008
Public tickets on sale March 27
Ticketmaster 604-280-4444
May 27-29 CALGARY, ALBERTA 3 shows
Calgary Intl Children’s Festival
Tickets: 403-299-8888
June 1-5 ST ALBERT, ALBERTA 8 shows +
Northern Alta Children’s Festival workshops
Festival Box Office 780-459-1542
Ticketmaster 780-451-8000
June 9-13 LONDON, ONTARIO 9 shows
London Children's Festival plus show
Tickets 519-645-6739 w/Harmonyinfo@londonchildfest.com Choir
Rick Scott and Harry Wong
‘THE 5 ELEMENTS’
QUOTES
”
The new CD is a great tool to help children begin to think about other
cultures…. a way to help children bridge differences in culture and
connect through the language of the heart.
Wong and Scott sing about differences and similarities in their ideas about schools, food, family and friends.
Poignant,
zany, thought-provoking and hummably tuneful, these songs illustrate
the affectionate and complementary spirit that is the foundation of
Scott and Wong's relationship.
If globalization can be about this kind of collaboration, communication, mutual respect, creativity and fun, then we're all forit. “
Victoria Times Colonist
”
The 5 Elements is a one-of-a-kind recording. East meets West as Wong's
astounding recorder melodies enrich the Western vibe of Scott's
dulcimer.
It
is difficult to put into words how deep and fanciful this CD is. But I
can say the interplay between the creative talents of Rick Scott and
Harry Wong is nothing less than magical. ”
Chicago Parent Magazine
RICK SCOTT and HARRY WONG
BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES
RICK SCOTT
is a veteran Canadian singer, songwriter and family entertainer. His
many kudos include a Juno nomination, a West Coast Music Award., a
Children’s Music Web Special Judges’ Award and two Parents' Choice
Awards. He is a master of the Appalachian dulcimer which he plays in
his own unique style. He has performed his humorous original music for
all ages solo in nine countries, including over 1000 schools in which
his songs are used to augment curriculum. He is a spokesperson for the
Down Syndrome Research Foundation and gives inspirational keynotes
around the world. When not performing for children, Rick tours with Joe
Mock and Shari Ulrich in BC’s legendary folk trio Pied Pumkin.
HARRY WONG
is a highly esteemed Hong Kong musician, magician and educator. Known
in Asia as “Harry Goh Goh” or “Big Brother Harry”, he is famous for
combining his unique style of magic and music in TV programs and
performances. He is author of the MUSIC TODAY textbook series and a
manual for teaching recorder which are used extensively in Asian
schools. Harry studied recorder at the Royal School of Music in England
and is fluently vernacular in English and Cantonese. He is artistic
director of The Hong Kong Children’s Art Academy and a member of many
international magicians’ associations. Harry’s weekly Hong Kong TV
series, BEANSLAND, is currently shown in Canada on Sundays on Fairchild
TV.
Rick Scott and Harry Wong
‘THE 5 ELEMENTS’
East meets West with respect, humour and groove! THE
5 ELEMENTS is a collaboration between acclaimed B.C. musician RICK
SCOTT and esteemed Hong Kong musician/magician HARRY WONG. It’s a CD
and stage production based on Cantonese interpretations of Rick’s award
winning songs, performed in English and Cantonese.
The CD is nominated for a 2004 Canadian Independent Music Award for Favourite Children’s Artist.
THE
5 ELEMENTS stage show premiered for 5000 people in July 2003 at
Hong Kong’s prestigious International Arts Carnival. It will tour
Canadian children's festivals in May and June 2004.
THE
5 ELEMENTS crosses boundaries of culture, tradition and musical styles
in an unprecedented bi-lingual celebration. Jester meets trickster as
Rick and Harry combine their respective classical, folk and blues
influences with lively wit and irrepressible humour. Each song
represents one of Oriental philosophy’s 5 essential elements of
life–earth, metal, water, wood and fire.
Harry
interprets rather than translates Rick’s songs, providing heartwarming
glimpses into Oriental family life and culture. Together they explore
ways of communicating and understanding their differences. They
set English words to a traditional Chinese folk song, recreate a Bach
partita, and celebrate their lives, homelands and families. Lyrics are
in English and Cantonese; and the CD sometimes includes an English
translation of the Cantonese interpretation.
THE
5 ELEMENTS CD, produced by Valley Hennell and engineered by Allan
Rodger, features some of Vancouver’s foremost musicians: Doug Edwards
(bass and guitar), Qui Xia He (pipa), Tom Keenlyside (saxophone), Jim
McGillveray (percussion), Allan Rodger (bass and drums) and the late
great Robbie King on piano. Also featured is celebrated Japanese
violinist Ayako Ichimaru, international soloist and longtime
concertmaster of the Asian Youth Orchestra.
Rick Scott and Harry Wong
‘THE 5 ELEMENTS’
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
“East meets West with respect, groove and humour.”
In
February 2003, master recorder player Harry Wong came to Canada to
study Appalachian dulcimer with Rick Scott. He had heard a cassette of
Rick’s children’s songs and wondered if they would translate into
Cantonese. The two musicians sat down to play together and something
magical happened.
They
were inspired and intrigued by the blend of their very different styles
and approaches. Dulcimer and recorder proved tuneful companions,
enlivened by Harry’s vast assortment of Chinese woodwinds. Combining
their respective classical, folk and blues influences they discovered a
similar sense of not only music but humour.
Together
they cross boundaries of cultures, traditions and musical styles in an
unprecedented bi-lingual celebration. Harry interprets rather than
translates Rick’s songs, providing heart-warming glimpses into Oriental
family life.
Harry
invited Rick to collaborate on a new show based on Cantonese
interpretations of his songs. They brainstormed with award winning
lyricist/producer Valley Hennell and within a week had mapped out THE 5
ELEMENTS.
RICK SCOTT – Artist Statement – ‘THE 5 ELEMENTS’
I am the jester
the fool who loves to sing
and pluck the string.
Harry is the trickster
magical master of the simple reed
and amazing instruments of breath.
Together
I believe we create
and communicate
something
very wonderful
something
that will demonstrate
and radiate
respect
affection
enthusiasm
and possibility
between
two very different men
cultures
RICK SCOTT
HARRRY WONG – Artist Statement – ‘THE 5 ELEMENTS’
For a very long time I had been searching
for the theme of my next show.
Just as I thought I was being too idealistic it came to me:
the eternal and ancient Chinese theory
of balance within the five elements.
Our ancestors have understood and applied this theory
to everyday life for many thousand of years.
Studying ways of balancing the 5 elements
opened new doors in my creative thinking
and in this show I share this experience
through music and magic.
The show was originally to be a musical performance
involving 5 musicians from around the world
until I met my angel, Rick Scott, in Vancouver.
Rick’s musical skill, dulcimer grooves, sense of humour
and innovative approach to songs for children
have had a strong influence on my work
since I first heard his ELECTRIC SNOWSHOE cassette
12 years ago.
For me, THE 5 ELEMENTS is a dream come true because
I am working with one of the best
children’s entertainers in the world!
HARRY WONG