Nightlife
Harmonica heroes
Two musicians blowing hot at the moment are harmonica players Allan Ho and Mark Chan. The duo struck gold at the mouth organ 'Olympics' last October by snatching first prize in the open category (duo) at the World Harmonica Festival in Trossingen, Germany. Ho also finished in the top six of two solo categories at the quadrennial competition.
Their award-winning pieces, Arietta and Rondino by Paul Koepke, will feature in two gigs the duo play at the Fringe Club in Central tomorrow. They will also premiere new material from local composers Dave Packer and Hui Cheung-wai. Jazz keyboardist Packer has been a keen harmonica player for 50 years and performed a duet with one of the instrument's champions, virtuoso Larry Adler, for a live BBC show 40 years ago. Ho and Chan will play favourite duets culled from a 20-year career.
The concerts are intended to increase public awareness of the instrument ahead of the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival to be held here in 2004. Ho and Chan play at 3pm and 8pm. Entry is $99, $80 for students. Call the Fringe on 2521 7251.
Progressive duo
More progressive beats are in store tonight courtesy of Groove Entertainment, which brought out the highly talented DJ duo Parks and Wilson from Britain. Mick Parks and Mick Wilson (who also release tracks as Tilt with sidekick John Graham) were the duo behind the huge remix of Dido's Here With Me and have reworked tracks by names such as Chakira and Danny Tenaglia.
Despite playing mega-events Homelands and the Love Parade, part of the duo's charm is they are equally 'up for it' when spinning at smaller venues, so their set at Gene in Causeway Bay Plaza II tomorrow should be as good as the venue has seen. Spark and Frankie Lam complete the line-up. The party runs from 11pm to 6am and tickets are $120 in advance or $160 at the door.
Battle's won
Aspiring rock stars had a taste of the big stage when the finals of the Chinese Club Band Battle were held at the Cultural Centre. Out of 49 bands from the SAR, Macau and the Philippines who entered the competition, 17 had a stab at glory in the finals.
A panel of judges, including such high-profile names as evergreen singer Danny Summer, voted Those 4 Guys as champions. The band, comprising full-time musicians, formed specifically to play in the competition just one month before it began. They beat more established bands Wave and GX to the title. The winning band received $31,000 of music vouchers and tickets to a music conference in Las Vegas.
