从战前到现在， 新加坡的剧作家创作了无数的剧本， 这次的演读， 让你看到更多这次无法上演的剧本片段。由谢燊杰与许婉婧联合策划， 我们将从众多出色的剧本中， 选择某些精彩片断， 让你看到新加坡华语剧场这些年来的发展与成绩。每一次演读之后， 都会有讨论会，通过交流的方式， 对我们的文化景观有更进一步的认识。

(华语演出)

华艺节2010《戏聚现场》节目之一

Get a taste of plays written from the pre-war era to the present time. Featuring read excerpts from seminal local Chinese language plays from the decades, SCENES: The Dramatised Readings, curated by Nelson Chia and Koh Wan Ching, give a sense of how Singapore’s Chinese Language Theatre has developed over the years. Each dramatized reading will be followed by a discussion that will enable all to consider the rich history of our cultural landscape with fresh eyes.

(Performed in Mandarin)

Presented as part of SCENES, a programme of Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2010

2010年1月30日与2月6日， 星期六
30 Jan & 6 Feb 2010, Sat
library@esplanade 滨海艺术中心艺术图书馆

下午3时至4时30分
3pm – 4 30pm

剧本 Script 作者 Playwright 年代 Year

1 鸦片毒 丘国基 1924

2 凄凄惨惨 静倩 1931

3 和平以后 朱绪 1946

4 明天的太阳 杜边 1945 - 1948

5 风雨牛车水 岳野 1945 - 1948

6 头家哲学 白寒 1950

导演Director : 许婉婧 Koh Wanching
演员Cast: 郑光辉Tay Kong Hui, 杨君伟Danny Yeo, 徐冰Xu Bing, 卢佳慧Lu Jiahui

傍晚5时至6时30分
5pm – 6 30pm

剧本 Script 作者 Playwright 年代 Year

1 打得好 宋人 1954

2 他并没有死 刘仁心 1955

3 打破镜子的女人 林晨 1957 - 1966

4 学店 关新艺 1957 - 1966

5 喂, 醒醒! 郭宝昆 1968

6 把国旗挂起来 王里 1967 - 1976

导演: 谢燊杰 Director: Nelson Chia
演员Cast: 雷宇Lei Yu, 周庆隆Zhou Qing Long, 洛若Luo Ruo, 任良艺Ren Liang Yi

About SCENES
With more than 80 years in existence, Singapore’s Chinese language theatre has truly constituted an important part of our cultural landscape, reflecting the changing identity of Chinese here, and constantly evolving in its aesthetic and relevance. SCENES is a five-part project that celebrates Singapore’s Chinese language theatre with The Performances, The Exhibition, Fresh Takes, The Dramatised Readings and The Symposium.

SCENES Directors: Kok Heng Leun and Quah Sy Ren

A Huayi 2010 festival commission, co-produced by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and Drama Box.

走过80余年的岁月，华语剧场是新加坡文化景观中的重要标志，展现了新加坡华人认同的变迁、国家意识的构建，也反映了我们与世界各地的文化交流。剧场观念与美学随着时代与思潮在演变，华语剧场也在不同的时期应对不同的挑战，尝试寻找生存与发展的契机。《戏聚现场》将以五个不同的形式 — 演出现场、展览现场、生力军现场、剧本演读现场和研讨会现场，展现新加坡华语剧场的发展历程。

剧展总监: 郭庆亮; 柯思仁

华艺节2010 委约， 滨海艺术中心与戏剧盒联合制作

If you intend to check the availability of any title before visiting library@esplanade, you may do so via the online catalogue at: http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg

[i]
Title: Sukai Kurora = The Sky Crawlers
By: Mamoru Oshii
Call No.: Other 791.4372 SUK
Format: DVD

Catalogue summary: The sky crawlers are young fighter pilots that have been genetically designed to live forever. Dogfight warfare is their game and they live their lives to the fullest until they are shot down and reproduced. Fearless teenage pilot Yuichi’s curiosity is at a peak as he struggles to find his missing past while his beautiful commander Suito is reluctant to discuss the fate of the pilot he is replacing.

[ii]
Title: Princess Mononoke
By: Hayao Miyazaki
Call No.: English 791.4372 PRI
Format: DVD

Catalogue summary: A young warrior searching for a cure for a deadly curse becomes entangled in a battle between a clan of humans and the forest’s animal gods.

[iii]
Title: Barefoot Gen
By: Mori Masaki
Call No.: Other 791.4334 BAR
Format: DVD

Catalogue summary: Story of one family’s struggle to survive in the aftermath of one of World War II’s defining moments, the bombing of Hiroshima as seen through the eyes of a six-year-old boy named Gen.

[iv]
Title: Grave of the Fireflies
By: Isao Takahata
Call No.: English 791.433 GRA
Format: DVD

Catalogue summary: In the aftermath of the World War II bombings of Japan, two orphans try to survive on their own.

[v]
Title: Persepolis
By: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Call No.: Other 791.4372 PER
Format: DVD

Catalogue summary: In 1970s Iran, Marjane ‘Marji’ Statrapi watches events through her young eyes and her idealistic family. Their long dream is realized when the hated Shah is defeated in the Iranian Revolution of 1979.

Now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, Marji grows up to witness first hand how the new Iran has become a repressive tyranny on its own. With Marji dangerously refusing to remain silent at this injustice, her parents send her abroad to Vienna to study.

This change proves an equally difficult trial for Marji and she finds herself in a different culture loaded with abrasive characters and profound disappointments that deeply trouble her. Even when she returns home, Marji finds that both she and her homeland have changed too much and the young woman and her loving family must decide where she truly belongs.

[vi]
Persepolis is based on a graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi. There has since been a follow-up to the graphic novel.

Title: Persepolis
By: Marjane Satrapi
Call No.: English 741.5944 SAT -[ART]
Format: Graphic novel

Title: Persepolis 2
By: Marjane Satrapi
Call No.: English 741.5944 SAT -[ART]
Format: Graphic novel

Waltz with Bashir. Dir: Ari Folman 2008.
Source: Sharmill Films. All rights reserved.

The animated film, Waltz with Bashir, “uses a unique animation style invented by Yoni Goodman at the Bridgit Folman Film Gang studio in Israel. The technique takes real video, and maps it out so it can be converted into hand drawings and then into traditional animation.

The film was first shot in a sound studio as a 90-minute video and then transferred to a storyboard. From there 2,300 original illustrations were drawn based on the storyboard, which together formed the actual film scenes using Flash animation, classic animation, and 3D technologies” (Zumberg).

Director Ari Folman found that he could only tell his deeply personal story through animation. As he puts it, “I made an animated film because I couldn’t find any other way to tell this story besides through illustrations” (Zumberg).

Moreover, the “surreal and unreal images conjured up by the recollection of these events meant that for Folman, it was ‘only natural to transform the quest into animation, full of imagination and fantasy’” (McCurdy).

List of Works Cited:

1. McCurdy, Kate. “Waltz with Bashir.” DG Magazine. 2008. http:// www.dgdesignnetwork.com.au/dgdn/dg-magazine-131/waltz-with-bashir/, 23 Oct 09.
   1
2. Zumberg, Jerrin. “Israeli filmmakers head to Cannes with animated documentary.” Israel 21C. 20 May 2008. http:// www.israel21c.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2026&catid=59:culture&Itemid=109, 23 Oct 2009.

[ii]
For a more detailed discussion on the animation process behind Waltz with Bashir, you may wish to read Kate McCurdy’s article on the film in full at DG Magazine’s website: www.dgdesignnetwork.com.au , 23 Oct 09.

[iii]
The film’s official website also contains very interesting — and wry — production notes on the animation process. To look up these production notes, visit the film’s website at: http://waltzwithbashir.com/, 23 Oct 09. Then go to “The Film” > “Production Notes”.

Company in “Variations Serieuses” by Choo San Goh / The Washington Ballet / Photo credit: © Donald Becker 1981-2009 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

As is always the case for aesthetics stuff, this is very much up to the individual. There is no one clear-cut way of appreciating ballet, but perhaps getting acquainted with the brief history of ballet, some famous works, and the techniques involved may help. Also, a knowledge in the story of the dance piece — most ballet pieces are based on stories — may help too, as you watch and appreciate the dancers’ various expressionistic styles in evoking the emotions of the characters in the story.

You may like to refer to some books on dance appreciation. Or you may also like to begin by watching some movies based on ballet before you progress to watching an entire ballet performance. Below are some suggested titles for your reference. For the availability odf the titles, do use our online catalogue.

[1]
Title: A Sense of Dance: Exploring your movement potential
Author: Constance A Schrader
Format: Book
Call No.: 792.801 SCH

Summary: This fresh, inspirational approach shows how to frame the art of dance within the context of life and how to gain the tools to appreciate, discuss and write about dance as a fine art. It also helps develop creative thinking and self-expression.

[2]
Title: Reading Dance: A gathering of memoirs, reportage, criticisms, profiles, interviews, and some uncategorizable extras
Edited by Robert Gottleib
Format: Book
Call No.: 792.8 REA

Summary: This book may be a good start for you to have a brief overview of the major dance personalities and their contributions. Please note that this book covers a range of dance personalities of different dance styles. For example, modern dancers Isadora Duncan, Margot Fonteyn are featured alongside postmodern dancers like Twyla Tharp.

[3]
Title: The Red Shoes
Director: Michael Powell
Format: DVD
Location: Film Village
Call No.: 791.4372 RED

Summary: The story follows a ballerina’s passion for the dance form which culminates in a tragic end when she finds that she is unable to stop dancing. Highly recommended.

[4]
Title: Center Stage
Director: Nicholas Hunter
Format: DVD
Location: Film Village
Call No.: 791.4372 CEN

Summary: To join the prestigious American Ballet Academy in New York, a group of young dancers of various backgrounds strive hard to achieve their ultimate goal. One of the more popular ballet-themed films set in modern times.

According to academic Colin Mackerras, the colours used in Peking Opera facial make-ups “were originally intended to enhance the natural complexion of the character, [but] they gradually came to represent the temperament of the characters” (47).

In their book, ‘Fascinating Stage Arts’, Bao Chengjie and Cao Juan elaborates on this: “This concept of different colours representing different temperaments was inherited from Chinese folk art, and thus struck a cord with the audiences right from the start” (89).

Xu Chengbei further traces how the actors came to choose the colours for their characters: “[Opera artistes] drew inspirations from classical novels, which portray characters as having ‘a face as red as a red jujube,’ ‘a face the color of dark gold,’ ‘a ginger-yellow face,’ ‘a green face with yellow beard,’ ‘a leopard-shaped head with round eyes,’ ‘a lion’s nose’ or ‘broom-shaped eyebrows’” (5).

Therefore, we might conclude that the meanings of the colours in Peking Opera make-up can be traced to how characters were originally depicted in Chinese folk art and literature. For example, red represents loyalty, bravery and integrity. Let’s consider a famous character often depicted with a red face — Guan Yu, from the Chinese classic ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’. Do you think he fits the ideals of loyalty, bravery and integrity?

Another example you might think of is Justice Bao, who is often shown to have a black face, and black represents uprightness and impartiality in Peking Opera too.

You may wish to look up the following books to read up more on Peking Opera. Please check our catalogue (http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg) for locations and availabilities of titles.

[1]
Title: Peking opera
By: Colin Mackerras
Call No.: 782.10951 MAC

[2]
Title: Fascinating stage arts
By: Bao Chengjie, Cao Juan
Call No.: 792.0951 BAO

[3]
Title: Peking opera
By: Xu Chengbei
Call No.: 782.10951 XU

[4]
Title: Peking opera : the cream of Chinese culture
Compiled by: Yi Bian
Call No.: 792.0280951 PEK

[5]
China Culture.org has some useful info on the subject as well: http://www.chinaculture.org/library/node_3667.htm . Last accessed 21 Dec 09.

[6]
So does Cultural China.com: http://arts.cultural-china.com/27two.html .  Last accessed 21 Dec 09.

[7]
Finally, this article in China Daily traces the origins of Peking Opera masks: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-10/27/content_275734.htm . Last accessed 21 Dec 09.

As one of the leading classical piano interest groups in Singapore, the NUS Piano Ensemble is dedicated to nurturing young pianists into performers.

Founded in 1987 and under the direction of Mr Timothy Ku, the ensemble has developed a reputation for holding concerts of consistently high standards featuring eclectic and accomplished repertoire.

DA CAPO 2010 showcases music for piano solo and duet and features an array of styles and composers. From classical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara, we hope you will enjoy an afternoon of musicmaking with us.

Repertoire:

Rainbow
Clarissa Chow

6 Etudes en forme de Canon Op. 56 I. Nicht zu schnell & IV. Mit inningem Ausdruck
Schumann-Bizet

Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 III. Aria (Cantiga) & IV. Dansa
Heitor Villa-Lobos

Sonata in B-flat K358 III. Molto Presto
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Tom and Jerry Show
Hiromi Uehara

Petite Suite I. En Bateau & IV. Ballet
Claude Debussy

You can ASK! a question via:

ASK! E-mail: ask@nlb.gov.sg
ASK! SMS: 9184-2015
ASK! Phone: 6332-3255

On 1st Dec, you can also ASK! Chat with us online!

How does ASK! Chat work?
Communicate with our librarians via online chat widgets available at:

ASK! blog: http://blogs.nlb.gov.sg/ask/
Public Libraries Singapore: http://www.pl.sg/page/PlJustAskContent
NLB eResources: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg

Chat widgets will be available on library catalogue and multimedia stations at Sengkang Public Library and Woodlands Regional Library at a later date.

This is a trial enquiry service running from 01 Dec 2009 to 28 Feb 2010.

For questions that require personal data to be revealed, for example, your NRIC or your membership number, please call our Helpdesk at 6332-3255 or approach the Customer Service Counter at any public library.

************************************************
More Information on the Service
************************************************

What is an online chat widget?
The online chat widget allows people who are using the library catalogue and NLB web pages to ask a librarian questions they might have. No registration is required.

To start chatting, click on “Click here to chat” at the bottom right corner of your browser window. Type your question in the box to send your message.

What software do I need to use the chat widget?
The chat widget works with major Web browsers including Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. No software download is necessary.

If you encounter problems with using the chat widget on NLB websites, please do the following:

Ensure JavaScript is turned on in your browser. For information on how to do this In Internet Explorer, please refer to http://support.microsoft.com/gp/howtoscript.

Firefox users, please refer to http://kb.mozillazine.org/JavaScript
Upgrade your browser to the latest version.

What questions can I ask?
We will answer questions related to book recommendations as well as reference and information-related enquiries through ASK! Chat.

How long will it take for my questions to be answered?
It would depend on the nature of your question, as well as the depth required. We should be able to clear straightforward enquiries within 10 minutes. For enquiries that require more research, leave your e-mail or contact number for us to get back to you within 3 working days.

Who will answer my questions via ASK! Chat?
Our service is staffed by librarians. We work from the Reference and Advisory counters at each of the three regional libraries at Woodlands, Tampines and Jurong where we also provide assistance in person.

What else do I need to know about this trial service?
Since we help a lot of patrons, there may slight delays in responding to your chat request. We will make every effort to ensure all our patrons’ requests receive a response.

You can also submit your enquiry to us via email (ask@nlb.gov.sg), SMS (91842015) or approach our Customer Service Officer.

What are the hours of operation?
ASK! Chat is available during from 1pm to 9pm daily.

Can I send my enquiries through ASK! Chat outside its service hours?
Yes, you can send us your questions through an offline form that will show up on the chat widget outside service hours. We will respond to you within three working days.

Who can use ASK! Chat?
Chat assistance is primarily intended as a service for NLB library users.

Do you save the transcripts?
Transcripts may be reviewed for evaluation and research purposes. All personal information will be removed and destroyed. Through the chat widget, you can also send transcripts of your conversations with our librarians to your own e-mail account.

Who should I contact if I have questions or comments about this service?
Call us at 6332-3255 or send us an e-mail message at ask@nlb.gov.sg.

Let us know what you think of ASK! Chat by completing the online feedback form at http://tinyurl.com/askchat or send us an e-mail at ask@nlb.gov.sg.

Please click to enlarge the pictures:

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For the entire month of November 2009, library@esplanade and Gibson Guitars bring you a tribute to Les Paul: acclaimed guitar player, entertainer and inventor extraordinaire.

Learn more about this legend, his contribution to the music world and the development of the modern electric guitar through our exhibition featuring the 7 most coveted Gibson guitar models named after Les Paul.

What’s more, stand a chance to win exclusive prizes sponsored by Gibson when you participate in our lucky draw.

We will also host a Tribute to Les Paul Video Screening on 22 November at 5.00pm* at the Open Stage, library@esplanade. Come for the screening and stand a chance to win yourself fantastic prizes sponsored by Gibson at the end of the show!

So come on down to the library@esplanade for an experience you won’t soon forget!

*: An encore screening of the Tribute to Les Paul film will be held on 29 Nov 2009, 5.00pm at library@esplanade.

About Les Paul

Les Paul, acclaimed guitar player, entertainer and inventor, passed away on 13 August 2009 from complications of severe pneumonia at White Plains Hospital in White Plain, New York, surrounded by family and loved ones. He had been receiving the best available treatment through this final battle and in keeping with his persona, he showed incredible strength, tenacity and courage. Les Paul was 94.

One of the foremost influences on 20th century sound and responsible for the world’s most famous guitar, the Les Paul model, Les Paul’s prestigious career in music and invention spans from the 1930s to the present. Though he’s indisputably one of America’s most popular, influential, and accomplished electric guitarists, Les Paul is best known as an early innovator in the development of the solid body guitar. His groundbreaking design would become the template for Gibson’s best-selling electric, the Les Paul model, introduced in 1952. Today, countless musical legends still consider Paul’s iconic guitar unmatched in sound and prowess. Among Paul’s most enduring contributions are those in the technological realm, including ingenious developments in multi-track recording, guitar effects, and the mechanics of sound in general.

Born Lester William Polsfuss in Waukesha, Wisconsin on June 9, 1915, Les Paul was already performing publicly as a honky-tonk guitarist by the age of 13. So clear was his calling that Paul dropped out of high school at 17 to play in Sunny Joe Wolverton’s Radio Band in St. Louis. As Paul’s mentor, Wolverton was the one to christen him with the stage name “Rhubarb Red,” a moniker that would follow him to Chicago in 1934. There, Paul became a bonafide radio star, known as both hillbilly picker Rhubarb Red and Django Reinhardt-informed jazz guitarist Les Paul. His first recordings were done in 1936 on an acoustic—alone as Rhubarb Red, as well as backing blues singer Georgia White. The next year he formed his first trio, but by 1938 he’d moved to New York to begin his tenure on national radio with one of the more popular dance orchestras in the country, Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians.

Tinkering with electronics and guitar amplification since his youth, Les Paul began constructing his own electric guitar in the late ’30s. Unhappy with the first generation of commercially available hollowbodies because of their thin tone, lack of sustain, and feedback problems, Paul opted to build an entirely new structure. “I was interested in proving that a vibration-free top was the way to go,” he has said. “I even built a guitar out of a railroad rail to prove it. What I wanted was to amplify pure string vibration, without the resonance of the wood getting involved in the sound.” With the good graces of Epiphone president Epi Stathopoulo, Paul used the Epiphone plant and machinery in 1941 to bring his vision to fruition. He affectionately dubbed the guitar “The Log.”
Les Paul’s tireless experiments sometimes proved to be dangerous, and he nearly electrocuted himself in 1940 during a session in the cellar of his Queens apartment. During the next two years of rehabilitation, Les earned his living producing radio music. Forced to put the Pennsylvanians and the rest of his career on hold, Les Paul moved to Hollywood. During World War II, he was drafted into the Army but permitted to stay in California, where he became a regular player for Armed Forces Radio Service. By 1943 he had assembled a trio that regularly performed live, on the radio, and on V-Discs. In 1944 he entered the jazz spotlight—thanks to his dazzling work filling in for Oscar Moore alongside Nat King Cole, Illinois Jacquet, and other superstars —at the first of the prestigious Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts.

By his mid-thirties, Paul had successfully combined Reinhardt-inspired jazz playing and the western swing and twang of his Rhubarb Red persona into one distinctive, electrifying style. In the Les Paul Trio he translated the dizzying runs and unusual harmonies found on Jazz at the Philharmonic into a slower, subtler, more commercial approach. His novelty instrumentals were tighter, brasher, and punctuated with effects. Overall, the trademark Les Paul sound was razor-sharp, clean-shaven, and divinely smooth.

As small combos eclipsed big bands toward the end of World War II, Les Paul Trio’s popularity grew. They cut records for Decca both alone and behind the likes of Helen Forrest, the Andrews Sisters, the Delta Rhythm Boys, Dick Hayes, and, most notably, Bing Crosby. Since 1945, when the crooner brought them into the studio to back him on a few numbers, the Trio had become regular guests on Crosby’s hit radio show. The highlight of the session was Paul’s first No. 1 hit and million-seller, the gorgeous “It’s Been a Long, Long Time.”

Meanwhile, Paul began to experiment with dubbing live tracks over recorded tracks, also altering the playback speed. This resulted in “Lover (When You’re Near Me),” his revolutionary 1947 predecessor to multi-track recording. The hit instrumental featured Les Paul on eight different electric guitar parts, all playing together. In 1948, Paul nearly lost his life to a devastating car crash that shattered his right arm and elbow. Still, he convinced doctors to set his broken arm in the guitar-picking and cradling position. Laid up but undaunted, Paul acquired a first generation Ampex tape recorder from Crosby in 1949, and began his most important multi-tracking adventure, adding a fourth head to the recorder to create sound-on-sound recordings. While tinkering with the machine and its many possibilities, he also came up with tape delay. These tricks, along with another recent Les Paul innovation—close mic-ing vocals—were integrated for the first time on a single recording: the 1950 No. 1 tour de force “How High the Moon.” This historic track was performed during a duo with future wife Mary Ford. The couple’s prolific string of hits for Capitol Records included some of the most popular recordings of the early 1950s. They also wrote a book on contemporary studio production. The dense but crystal clear harmonic layering of guitars and vocals, along with Ford’s close mic-ed voice and Paul’s guitar effects, produced distinctively contemporary recordings with unprecedented sonic qualities. Through hits, tours, and popular radio shows, Paul and Ford kept one foot in the technological vanguard and the other in the cultural mainstream.

All the while, Les Paul continued to pine for the perfect guitar. Though The Log came close, it wasn’t quite what he was after. In the early 1950s, Gibson Guitar would cultivate a partnership with Paul that would lead to the creation of the guitar he’d seen only in his dreams. In 1948, Gibson elected to design its first solidbody, and Paul, a self-described “dyed-in-the-wool Gibson man,” seemed the right man for the job. Gibson avidly courted the guitar legend, even driving deep into the Pennsylvania mountains to deliver the first model to newlyweds Les Paul and Mary Ford.

“Les played it, and his eyes lighted up,” then-Gibson President Ted McCarty has recalled. The year was 1950, and Paul had just signed on as the namesake of Gibson’s first electric solidbody, with exclusive design privileges. Working closely with Paul, Gibson forged a relationship that would change popular culture forever. The Gibson Les Paul model—the most powerful and respected electric guitar in history—began with the 1952 release of the Les Paul Goldtop. After introducing the original Les Paul Goldtop in 1952, Gibson issued the Black Beauty, the mahogany-topped Les Paul Custom, in 1954. The Les Paul Junior (1954) and Special (1955) were also introduced before the canonical Les Paul Standard hit the market in 1958. With revolutionary humbucker pickups, this sunburst classic has remained unchanged for the half-century since it hit the market.

“The world has lost a truly innovative and exceptional human being today. I cannot imagine life without Les Paul. He would walk into a room and put a smile on anyone’s face. His musical charm was extraordinary and his techniques unmatched anywhere in the world,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “We will dedicate ourselves to preserving Les’ legacy to insure that it lives on forever. He touched so many lives throughout his remarkable life and his influence extends around the globe and across every boundary. I have lost a dear, personal friend and mentor, a man who has changed so many of our lives for the better.”

“I don’t think any words can describe the man we know as Les Paul adequately. The English language does not contain words that can pay enough homage to someone like Les. As the “Father of the Electric Guitar”, he was not only one of the world’s greatest innovators but a legend who created, inspired and contributed to the success of musicians around the world,” said Dave Berryman, President of Gibson Guitar. “I have had the privilege to know and work with Les for many, many years and his passing has left a deep personal void. He was simply put – remarkable in every way. As a person, a musician, a friend, an inventor. He will be sorely missed by us all,”

With the rise of the rock ’n’ roll revolution of 1955, Les Paul and Mary Ford’s popularity began to wane with younger listeners, though Paul would prove to be a massive influence on younger generation of guitarists. Still, Paul and Ford maintained their iconic presence with their wildly popular television show, which ran from 1953-1960. In 1964, the couple, parents to a son and daughter, divorced. Paul began playing in Japan, and recorded an LP for London Records before poor health forced him to take time off—as much as someone so inspired can take time off.
In the 1977, Paul resurfaced with a Grammy-winning Chet Atkins collaboration, Chester and Lester. Then the ailing guitarist, who’d already suffered arthritis and permanent hearing loss, had a heart attack, followed by bypass surgery.

Ever stubborn, Les recovered, and returned to live performance in the late 1980s. Even releasing the 2005 double-Grammy winner Les Paul & Friends: American Made World Played, featuring collaborations with a veritable who’s who of the electric guitar, including dozens of illustrious fans like Keith Richards, Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Joe Perry. In 2008, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame paid tribute to Les Paul in a week-long celebration of his life which culminated with a live performance by Les himself. Until recently Les continued to perform two weekly New York shows with the Les Paul Trio, at The Iridium Jazz Club in New York City, for over twelve years where a literal who’s who of the entertainment world has paid homage. It has been an honor to have Les Paul perform at The Iridium Jazz Club for the past twelve years hosting such luminaries as Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and others and is a tragic loss to owner Ron Sturm both personally and professionally. Iridium intends to celebrate Les Paul’s music and legacy every Monday night.

Les Paul has since become the only individual to share membership into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Les is survived by his three sons Lester (Rus) G. Paul, Gene W. Paul and Robert (Bobby) R. Paul, his daughter Colleen Wess, son-in-law Gary Wess, long time friend Arlene Palmer, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Editor’s note: Write-up on Les Paul kindly provided by Gibson (www.gibson.com).

Singers and musicians begin their musical journey by playing songs that inspire them. Upon establishing their own musical identity and expertise, they recreate their favourite songs and in turn, magically make them their own.

In this event, come join the NLB BAND to learn how songs are tweaked in structure and delivery and transformed into new songs via covers. The band will perform songs from the 1960s to current popular radio hits.

There will be a fun music enrichment session where the band will share music trivia, theories and other interesting facts on the topic. Pay close attention during the music enrichment segment and you could stand a chance to win a special limited edition prize during the quiz segment at the end of the show. All prizes are sponsored by renowned guitar company, Gibson.

So make a date with us on 25 October, 5.30pm at library@esplanade’s Open Stage. Bring your family and friends and enjoy this session of musical creativity and exciting performance.

Indrashah Isa
NLB Band Leader

Photo Credit: Odyssey Dance Theatre Ltd

Exclusive preview on ‘Red Tears’
Presented by Odyssey Dance Theatre Ltd
www.odysseydancetheatre.com

24 October 2009 (Saturday)
5.00pm
Open Stage, library@esplanade

‘Red Tears’ brings us to a time space that captures the beauty and essence of human spirit that will touch our lives through the passage of time. It portrays an interesting interplay of cultural collision in terms of values, beliefs, and contemporary practice and shows how these conflicting ideas and forms can be interweaved and co-exist in our present society.

Through the encapsulating of original and innovative contemporary moves with Chinese texts and Teochew opera, award-winning Singaporean choreographer Danny Tan will lead homegrown dancers, together with an international creative and production team (China, S. Korea, Taiwan and Singapore) to bring the audience into a new interpretation of the Asian contemporary dance, which is sensational, humanistic and dynamic.

This performance will be held at Victoria Theatre on 30 October 2009.

Mr. Danny Tan will share with his collaborators, Ms Ho Wen-Shing (Taiwanese Film Director, Mr Huang Ouchul (S. Korean Visual Artist/Sculptor), together with homegrown dancers, about their enriching journey in making ‘Red Tears’.

Don’t miss this educational preview by Singapore’s foremost contemporary dance theatre, in conjunction with 5th Biennial Xposition ‘O’ Contemporary Dance Fiesta and the finale season of ODT’s 10th anniversary celebrations.