In addition to its focus on films from around the world, BigScreen 2007 will also feature an eclectic mix of live musical performances. Japanese chanteuse Tujiko Noriko, bilingual hiphop duo Rap Republic and the ethnic minority performers of Yuansheng Studio will give free evening performances during the festival that are not to be missed. Here's a little more about the musicians that will perform at BigScreen 2007:


Yuansheng Studio – Wednesday

Yunnan Yuansheng Indigenous Music and Dance Studio is at the forefront of promoting the music and dance traditions of Yunnan to audiences in Kunming and beyond. Founded in 2004 by Yunnan TV documentary director Liu Xiaojin, Yuansheng Studio opened its first dedicated space this past January. Prior to moving into its location within The Loft art compound on Xiba Lu, the studio and its performers spent the previous few years performing and practicing where they could.

Their hard work has paid off. In addition to performing throughout China, Yuansheng performers have traveled to Europe, Singapore, Canada and the United States – where they performed in Washington DC's Kennedy Center. The Bai, Yi and Wa performers of Yuansheng are some of the last living links to music and dance traditions that stretch back for centuries.

Yuansheng Studio's performers will take the stage at BigScreen's opening ceremony at 11 pm Wednesday night.

Video: Yuansheng Studio – Sounds of the Yunnan Countryside


Rap Republic – Thursday

Rap Republic (说唱共和国) was founded this spring by MC/producer and Kunming native Tang Renti and Kunming resident alien Mike Wind. In the few months since the founding of the Republic, the duo has rapidly emerged as one of Kunming's most intelligent and energizing acts.

Rap Republic shows rely on bass-heavy smoky beats, slick flows and expertly choreographed lyrical interplay. Tang and Mike have already begun to generate a buzz: the group's performance was one of the highlights of the recent Kunming Outdoor Music Festival and an interview with Tang was featured in a recent story about Kunming in the New York Times.

Rap Republic will play at BigScreen at 11 pm Thursday night.



Tujiko Noriko – Saturday

Featuring light vocals and music that swings from the ethereal to the dark, Japanese avant-pop songstress Tujiko Noriko is one of the more interesting female musicians to emerge in recent years. Since 2000 Tujiko has spent much of her career working with obscure artists and releasing unique and unusual albums. Born in Osaka and now residing in Paris, Tujiko's newest release, Solo, has been garnering rave reviews since hitting stores in February of this year.

Descriptions of Tujiko's music as experimental, electronic, glitch-pop and other catchy modifiers belie the fact that her music is different enough from the rest to almost justify her own category.

Tujiko Noriko will perform at 11 pm on Saturday night to close BigScreen 2007.

Video: Tujiko Noriko – Fly

UPDATE: Performances by Yuansheng Studio, Rap Republic and Tojiko Noriko have all been moved to 8 pm on their respective evenings.

Tags: arts and entertainment, BigScreen Festival, Liu Xiaojin, live music, Rap Republic, Tujiko Noriko, Yuansheng Studio

Zhang (l) and Huanqing

Last night Yunnan Yuansheng Indigenous Music and Dance Studio put on the first of two nights of music based upon the indigenous music traditions of Yunnan's ethnic minorities. The 120+ seats were filled and the audience appeared to enjoy the evening's mix of Yunnan indigenous music blended with some modern elements.

The studio was formerly the gallery Red Banana in the Chuang Ku (aka The Loft) art compound at 101 Xiba Lu. The studio is a small minimalist space well-suited to intimate concerts and performances.

Opening act Huanqing performed with traditional Yunnan ethnic instruments, samples of recorded sounds, recorded minority dialects and chanting as well as ambient drumbeats. Zhang Quan joined Huanqing for one song with dongbula and harmonica.

Afterward, Zhang performed folk songs from his former band Wild Children as well as some of his new songs.

The final musician Luo Fengxue came onto the stage in Bai costume, singing and playing various minority instruments such as the leaf harp, gourd pipe and bamboo flute.

Concert director Liu Xiaojin said that the studio will put on more indigenous and folk concerts in the future. As the venue is a small theatre and Liu herself is a filmmaker, the studio also plans to put on experimental and avant-garde plays from Beijing and elsewhere in China.

Tickets to tonight's 8:30 show featuring Huanqing, Zhang Quan and Luo Fengxue are 30 yuan.

Tickets: Ms Liu (0871) 240 0237 or 13354608051
Address: Yunnan Yuansheng Indigenous Music and Dance studio (源生坊剧场) in Chuang Ku/The Loft (next to Nordica), 101 Xi Ba Road
Buses: 4, 22, 62 to Bai Yao Chang

Tags: Liu Xiaojin, Yuansheng Studio, Zhang Quan