World music festival comes to Chongming Island
Print Edition
FOR those bored with suiting up and keeping an elegant sitting posture in the theater or feeling sleepy during a symphonic band performance, last weekend Dongping National Forest Park was the place to be. Beautiful scenery, refreshing breezes, the beat of percussion music and local folk songs rocked the spirit. People sang with the vibrant music and danced bare-footed on the grass. The outdoor concert offered a visual and audio feast to music fans.
In its seventh year, “World Music Shanghai,” which runs through the end of November, aims to offer international and diversified music and connect culture and history with people from all over the world. Chongming World Music Festival was part of the bigger Shanghai fest, listening to the “heartbeat of the world.”
The two-day outdoor green concert attracted 10 acclaimed musicians and groups, including legendary Tuvan throat-singing group Huun Huur Tu, Azerbaijani mugham artist Gochag Askarov; Maori singer Maisey Rika; the Israeli hard-core klezmer band Ramzailech; Spanish percussionist group Handpan: Liron Man; South Korean band Jambinai; Kroke from Poland; Urna Charhar-Tugchi from China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region; Shanghai’s local band Studio 188; and the Free Tango Band from Beijing.
With forest coverage of 90 percent, Dongping National Forest Park is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the sounds of nature. Few things are better than lying on the grass and listening to romantic jazz on a lazy Saturday afternoon.
As night fell, it was high time to rock the crowd. Azerbaijan’s Askarov and ensemble brought authentic music from the Central Asian area. As the classical music of Azerbaijan, the mugham weds classical poetry and musical improvisation. Many people were surprised at Askarov’s three-octave range, and they said only in the forest could they fully appreciate his sound.
Although the temperature fell, the crowds became high. Two energetic boys from Israel’s hard-core klezmer band Ramzailech jumped from the stage and danced with people. Ramzailech’s unique clarinet rhythm and Hebrew language lyrics gave the audience a different experience of punk, rock, hip-hop and jungle music.
“It is really enjoyable to sit in nature and appreciate those acclaimed musicians and groups without going abroad. I learned many strange musical instruments and experienced exotic music,” said a music fan surnamed Yang.
After the music, karaoke fans were pleasantly surprised to find everything has been well prepared, giving them a chance to be the best voice of the forest. People could also enjoy a barbecue area, which at 10,000 square meters can accommodate 200 people. Grills can be rented and ingredients can be purchased on the spot.
For those who find the setting so sublime they don’t want to leave, the park provides complete facilities of hot water showers and lockers. You can pitch your tent, play some games with friends and sleep to nature’s sounds.
• Dongping National Forest Park
Address: 2188 Beiyan Rd, Chongming County
How to get there:
By driving: Changjiang Tunnel-Bridge Expressway — Chenhai Road — Panlong Road — Beiyan Road — Dongping National Forest Park
By bus: Shenchong No. 3 Line starts from Wenshui Road in Puxi’s Zhabei District. Shenchong No. 6 Line starts from Jufeng Road in Pudong. The terminal station is South Gate Pier. Then you can take Nandong Line or Nanjiang Line from South Gate Pier to Dongping National Forest Park.
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