10 Moments

Montréal, April 3rd 2008 - Faithful to its tradition of uniting new technology and cultural traditions, Festival Accès Asie presents 10 Moments, the tenth edition of cyber-improvisation between two cities. In collaboration with gallery OBORO and Q music studios of Toronto, 10 Moments invites you to a virtual meeting that harmonizes the light rhythms of the Chinese bamboo flute, the percussions of an Iranian tombka, and the graceful movements of an Indian dance.

Transcending the limits of space and time, 10 Moments plays with the potential of new technologies in the role of creation by supporting virtual dialogue between music, dance and cultures. Limited only by a time lapse of a few microseconds, Shuni Tsou with her flute in Toronto will improvise with the percussions of Ziya Tabassian in Montreal to compose the melody that will accompany the Indian choreographed dance of Natasha Bakht.

Having received her classical training at the prestigious school of Chinese opera of Taiwan, Fu Hsing Ju Hsiao, Shuni Tsou began touring internationally at the age of 13. With her instrument of choice as the Chinese bamboo flute (dizi), she has won several national championships for interpretation. In the United States, she collaborated on several projects and recordings with renowned contemporary figures such as John Zorn, Butch Morris, Oliver Lake and Brandon Ross.

As a percussionist, Ziya Tabassian is as active in the early music period (the Middle Ages, Renaissance and baroque) as he is in contemporary music from around the world. He specializes in the Tombak, the traditional percussion instrument of Iranian classical music, which he studied faithfully with the guidance of western and eastern masters.

Natasha Bakht is a dancer and choreographer of Indian origins specialized in Bharatanatyam, a popular and modernized South Indian art form historically practiced by ancient temple dancers. In Canada, she trained with Menaka Thakkar for over 20 years and has toured internationally performing classical Indian repertoires with the Menaka Thakkar Dance Company in Asia, Europe and North America with Menaka Thakkar Dance Company.

OBORO gallery May 17, 2pm
44001, rue Berri, local 301, Montreal

Q music studios
401 Richmond, Toronto

Information: (514) 844-3250 www.oboro.net www.accesasie.com
Free entrance

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Press contact: Olga Pudelko (514) 570-0931