Program
The stated times for the performances at Union Square are approximate. Please anticipate possible shifts in the schedule and arrive earlier for any performances you are planning to watch.
Location
Union Square Park
333 Post St, San Francisco, CA
Performance Schedule
Morning MCs: Dr. Steven Chen, Asian Health Services, and Mimi Wang, LPL Financial
Afternoon MC: Stephanie Chuang, NBC Anchor/Reporter, Central Coast / South San Jose & Santa Cruz region
10:00 am Cello – Taiwanese Folk Song / by Stephanie Lai
10:30 am Vocal and Keyboard / by Carolyn Chen
10:50 am Taiwanese Temple Fair Performance / by MaTzu Godess Temple, S.F.
11:30 am Lion Dance
12:00 pm Opening Ceremony – National Anthem, Welcome Remarks, Guest Greetings
12:30 pm Taiwanese Aboriginal and Popular Song / by Hsieh Yuwei Ensemble and O-Kai A Cappella Singers from Taiwan
1:40 pm Vocal and Guitar / by Alice Tong
2:00 pm Children’s Dance and Folk Song / by TAC Fremont Taiwanese School
2:20 pm Vocal and Guitar / by Jenton Lee
2:40 pm Children’s Dance and Folk Song / by TAC Fremont Taiwanese School
3:00 pm Taiwanese Folk and Modern Dance / by Dancing Sun Dance Company
3:30 pm Johnny Hi-Fi – Vocal and Guitar / by Eric Hsu
3:50 pm Broadcaster Band / by Young Lee
4:15 pm Taiwanese Folk and Modern Dance / by Dancing Sun Dance Company
4:45 pm Vocal and Keyboard / by Diana Li
5:00 pm Taiwanese Aboriginal and Popular Song / by Hsieh Yuwei Ensemble and O-Kai A Cappella Singers from Taiwan
6:10 pm Ensemble
6:30 pm Good Night
Featured Events
Main Exhibit Booth
Highlight on Taiwan Orchids and the Green environment / agriculture of Taiwan
Energy Talk
Robert Blumenfeld- Enernoc
Kathleen Rai- Greenscend Inc www.greenscend.com
TBD- Real Goods
GRID Alternatives- Jonas Copeland
About the Featured / Taiwanese Performers
O-Kai A Cappella Singers + Hsieh Yuwei Ensemble
The O-Kai Singers was founded in 2004 with members from the Atayal Tribes in Taiwan. Since then, the group has won numerous awards in major a cappella competitions in Taiwan as well as in Europe performing and adapting popular multicultural Taiwanese folk songs. The O-Kai Singers have been invited to perform in many major cities in Taiwan, European countries and the U.S., and have consistently received rave reviews. The Hsieh Yuwei Ensemble consists of six renowned Taiwanese musicians. The Ensemble is led by Mr. Hsieh, a lead singer and a guitarist. Other ensemble members include singers, guitarist, flutist, and an erhu fiddler. The group performs and adapts popular multicultural Taiwanese folk songs as well as western music to suit the interest of the intended audience.
Dancing Sun Dance Company
Founded in 1999, Dancing Sun’s mission is to promote high-quality and contemporary dance performances that celebrate and fuse traditional Chinese and Taiwanese dance with American modern dance. It strives to honor the diversity of the Silicon Valley community offering its audiences a rich performing arts experience that mirrors and challenges the community at large. Bih Tau Sung is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Dancing Sun Foundation, and is an acclaimed interpreter and choreographer of ballet, modern, and traditional Chinese dance opera techniques. Her professional career started in 1974 when she was recruited to join the prestigious Cloud Gate Dance Theater, Taiwan’s first professional modern dance company. In the decade that followed, she performed, instructed, choreographed and danced with recognition throughout major artistic centers in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Visit their website at: www.dsfdance.org
About the Taiwanese American Performers
Alice Tong
Alice Tong is a singer, songwriter, artist, activist, social worker, 2nd generation Chinese-Taiwanese-American. Alice has a BA in Ethnomusicology and a Masters in Social Work. Her musical style ranges from such categories as folk rock, indie rock, soul, and jazz. Her music has been in independent films, including “American Fusion” which won the Audience Award at the Hawaii International Film Festival. Alice’s album “Small” can be bought on iTunes, Amazon, or www.blacklava.net. She now lives in San Francisco where she gets obsessed with her dogs and makes and performs more music. For more about Alice, check out www.myspace.com/alicetongmusic.
Broadcaster
Young Lee originally hails from Atlanta, Georgia, where at the age of six he first learned to play the violin and guitar like many good Asian boys. He rebelled in college and switched to the guitar and bass. Since moving to Berkeley in 2003, he has been playing in local bands and pursuing songwriting on the side. In 2004, he was a member of the popular Berkeley bands My Two Friends and The Moving Picture. Since 2007 he has been working on solo projects, and recently relaunched his music career as the lead singer of the band Broadcaster, playing with members from around the country. His latest songs were inspired by traditional Taiwanese folk songs and transformed into original compositions with a modern indie / alternative twist. Check out his music at www.myspace.com/TheBroadcasterBand.
Carolyn Chen
Carolyn Chen, also known as Underwoman by her friends, enjoys writing sad music to indulge the melancholy urges in all of us. She began songwriting while a freshman at MIT and 10 years later, is still challenging herself to write good music. Carolyn studied classical piano for over 10 years and sang a cappella in college. More recently, she performed as a vocalist and keyboardist for the up-and-coming bay area band, Aprilsrain. Last year, she gave her solo bay area debut at Dolores Park Cafe in San Francisco and has performed at Mosaic Bay Area church in Berkeley. She hopes to produce a CD of her music and start gigging more. If you are interested in her music, you can find her at www.myspace.com/notesfromunder.
Diana Li
Diana Li has been playing piano and singing since the ripe age of 5 and continues on the tradition by currently holding a regular gig at a Zagat-rated French restaurant in Dana Point harbor. She plays at festivals, acoustic venue gigs, 3rd street promenade in Santa Monica, weddings, coffee shops, birthday celebrations, and community service events. Her passion for music took her through jazz choir, musical theater, gospel choir, a cappella, talent shows, and competitions. She collaborates with other singers, bands, etc. Notable performances include the national anthem in a 4 girl quartet at a Lakers game in '02 and competing in the final round of Taiwan's version of American Idol. Her plan is to release a demo EP CD this year. She works full time and teaches piano on the side. She gives out her gratitude for your listening ears and support! Visit www.myspace.com/shiowchi.
Jenton Lee
Coming from a classical background in Cello and Piano, Jenton Lee writes his acoustic guitar songs with melodies and emotions each playing a major role. From his wacky comical songs, to his poignant ballads, Jenton weaves a story that is both memorable and relatable. Taking cues from modern songwriters, Jenton's vibe has been influenced by artists such as John Mayer, Jack Johnson, and even Weird Al. He has a CD out titled "Life in Shorthand" which you can buy online from Amazon.com, iTunes, and CDbaby. Check out his music at: http://www.youtube.com/user/jenton and http://www.jentonlee.com
Johnny Hi-Fi
Johnny Hi-Fi is one of the hardest working unsigned bands out there. Lead singer Eric Hsu formed his first indie rock band in 1992, and since then has performed hundreds of shows both in the US and around the globe. With numerous US and Asia tours under their belt, Johnny Hi-Fi's alternative rock sound has captured fans all over. In 2005, the band's video reached #8 on MTV Chi's top 10 video charts, and helped them land the "Artist of the Month" spot on Billboard Magazine's Underground series and featured in the magazine. Later in 2006, the band made appearances on CBS News, publications such as the New York Times and World Journal, also radio stations from Texas to Taipei. The band also went on to open for Placebo and Supergrass in front of 20,000+ fans at the 2006 Beijing Pop Festival. In July 2008, the band released their 3rd full length album titled "Vicious Cycle of Promises & Apologies". Download the new album for free at www.JohnnyHi-Fi.com.
Stephanie Lai
Stephanie Lai has been hailed by The Washington Post for her "handsome tone allied with perceptive musicianship and a spirited, emotionally immediate way of setting melodies aloft." She made her solo debut in 2002, appearing in Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center Concert Hall with the National Symphony Orchestra in a series of ten concerts as the winner of their Young Soloists' Competition. With a BA in Social Studies and Music from Harvard, she graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 2006. Stephanie also holds a Masters in Cello Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England. Stephanie has served as principal cellist of the American Youth Philharmonic and the Pacific Music Festival Academy Orchestra in Japan and has received numerous honors, including the David McCord Prize for Outstanding Artistic Achievement and the International Scholarship from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
Taiwanese American Center Children's Choir and Dance Group
Taiwanese American Center (TAC) of Northern California is a non-profit foundation established in April of 2003. The mission of TAC is to provide a community center-home, for Taiwanese Americans and to promote and preserve the history, culture, and heritage of Taiwan. In 2004, TAC established Fremont Taiwan School (FTS) for children to teach the languages of Taiwanese and Mandarin. From attending FTS, Taiwanese American Center hopes to also instill a love and interest for Taiwan’s culture, as well as, build children’s identity and self confidence. FTS also offers a wide variety of other programs such as choir, dance, writing, and art. FTS Children’s Choir and dance group has been invited in the past few years to perform at several events in the Bay Area. You can check out their past performances at www.fremonttaiwanschool.blogspot.com.