Stepping into August and the fun filled days of summer, the Macao SAR office for Preparation of Macao's Participation in Shanghai World Expo proudly presents “Bang Bang Bang Goes the Drums II” at the Expo 2010 Shanghai China. Led by a rumbling cast of over 150 performers from top local performing arts institutions, this event will present Expo audience with a series of stimulating musical and dance performances, and large scale street parades that mixes Eastern and Western, traditional and modern cultures. “Bang Bang Bang Goes the Drums II” fully reflects Macao’s burst of youthful energy and displays the SAR’s unique multilateral social culture. “Ethnic Convergence In Harmony” is the theme of the Macao Pavilion at the Expo 2010 Shanghai China. Utilizing the latest technologies, the pavilion displays the cultural, urban, and economic development of the Macao SAR. Fostering a joyous and harmonious atmosphere, the Macao SAR office for Preparation of Macao's Participation in Shanghai World Expo has organized a series of exhilarating and multidimensional art performances for Expo visitors. This event in August titled “Bang Bang Bang Goes the Drums II” demonstrates Macao’s youthful energy. Led by a cast of 150 performers coming from top performing arts institutions in Macao, it showcases the vigor of Macao’s young artists. Programs include traditional music and dance recitals, which emphasize on Macao being the focal point of Eastern and Western cultures, and its ties to the origins of the Chinese culture. Among them, three performances by the Macao Conservatory include: “Childhood you & me”, “Musical World of Macao Street”, and “Youthful Flight”. In “Childhood you & me”, performed jointly by students from the amateur and professional classes, a group of lovable junior dancers recreates the entertaining work of the “Red Bandana” and the “Calling of a Child”. The musical performance of “Musical World of Macao Street” shows an equal admiration of Chinese and Western music by the people of Macao. The Chinese orchestra section of the Macao Conservatory will perform newly arranged folk songs in three new style sets, displaying a harmonious convergence of the Chinese and Portuguese cultures which is unique to Macao. In particular, the tune “Accommodate” represents a harmonious Macao while the tune “Shadows of Macao” describes the SAR’s historic past and prosperous future. Finally the variety show “Youthful Flight” combines lively dances and music, allowing Expo visitors to rejoice in a carnival like atmosphere. Apart from the Macao Conservatory, two other performing groups: OTO (Onceteenones) band and Beat It street percussion group will also display their interpretation of artistic energy. Portrayed as a family, members of OTO will merge family values and music into one entertaining performance. The wild and free performance of Beat It street percussion group is straight from the heart. Members of this group come from Macao, Portugal, and the Philippines. Among them, star percussionist Fabio, at his young age, is hailed as a genius in Macao’s percussion field. Also invited to perform live is vocalist Fortes from the heavy metal band “BladeMark “. Interacting with the flow of music, Fortes will paint over the unique street signs of Macao. Performances by these young artist groups surely are exciting. But equally attracting attention is the “Masquerade Grand Parade”. Among the marching groups in August are 200 singing and dancing youngsters, free style rope skippers from the Escola Secundária Luso-Chinesa de Luís Gonzaga Gomes, free style bicycle and tricycle performers from the Associacao De Ciclismo De Macau. Also noteworthy is 6 individuals on wheelchairs performing in a folk dance together with the “Heart in Macao” Portuguese Folk Dance Company. Working jointly on stage both handicapped and whole, it reflects Macao’s harmonious and accommodating society. Marching groups will also interact with Expo visitors to uplift their spirits and embrace them in a joyous surrounding. Remark:
Participating groups in “Bang Bang Bang Goes the Drums II” come from a number of youth performing arts organizations including: Macao Conservatory Student Chinese Orchestra Section, Macao Conservatory Student Orchestra Section, Macao Youth Dance Company, musical band OTO, Beat It street percussion group, Fortes of BladeMark, StreetmosphereTM performers from the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, indoor free style performing group of the Associacao De Ciclismo De Macao, “Heart in Macao” Portuguese Folk Dance Company (including the wheelchair group), the Escola Secundária Luso-Chinesa de Luís Gonzaga Gomes free style rope skipping group, Macao Lingnan Middle School dance company, Kumara percussion group of the Centro Cultural de Macao, Macao Tricycle Association, Axe Capoeria Group de Macau, and Dino Stilts of Long Fung Drama Club (not in particular order of appearance).