Fill up your calendar with these exciting events…..
April 15
What: Dance Screening
Where: Snap Café, 32 Tran Ngoc Dien, D2; 7:30pm
About: Every Little Step, a 2008 American documentary film produced and directed by James Stern and Adam Del Deo, will be shown to those interested in joining the dance community in HCMC. It follows the process of casting the broadway revival of A Chorus Line and explores the history of the award-winning musical, beginning with informal interviews with Broadway dancers conducted by Michael Bennett that served as its basis.
Contact: Call 3519 4490 or email info@dancentervn.com
April 17
What: African jazz soul singer Gasandji
Where: IDECAF (28 Le Thanh Ton, D1), 8pm; tickets cost VND100,000, VND50,000 for students
About: Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gasandji defies, as a sort of mystery, the sacred dimension of both her music and songs. Her first theatrical experiences happened when she was a dancer- choreographer. Gasandji became famous when she produced her own shows and when she appeared as a guest star for artists such as Lokua, Keziah Jones and Imany.
Gasandji sings mainly of herself. At first sight she does not resemble her music. This Congo-born artist stands out for her rather unconventional haircut; her voice is instead gentle and soft. Her music has been labeled afro-jazz, or afro-soul. She released her self-titled album in 2013 and won the Award « Coup de Cœur Francophone 2013 » of the Academy of Music Charles Cros.
Contact: Call 3520 6863 or email: culturel@consulfrance-hcm.org for more info
April 19
What: Color Me Run
Where: Phu My Hung, D7; 3pm
About: Color Me Run is a unique combination of a running event and music festival. For the first time in Vietnam, you can experience a 5km run while being splashed from head to toe by colored powder. The fun will be followed by international music artists Kelly Rowland (of Destiny’s Child) and Timomatic (top three of Australia’s Got Talent 2011). Registration fee costs VND400,000.
Contact: Register offline at all Circle K stores in HCMC until April 6 or visit www.colormerun.vn
April 20
What: Dance Workshop
Where: DanCenter, 53 Nguyen Dang Giai, D2; 9:30am – 12pm
About: Chloe Glemot from the Opera National de Paris School will hold a ballet dance workshop for students for VND200,000 (purchased before April 15) and VND250,000 (at the door). Students are encouraged to wear traditional ballet attire: leotards, tights, leggings, stretch pants and tops. Ballet shoes are available at DanCenter Shop.
Contact: Call 3519 4490 or email info@dancentervn.com
April 26
What: Open Day
Where: European International School (EIS), Thao Dien, D2; 9am- 12pm
About: The European International School welcomes all interested parents to come and meet teachers, speak to the principal and see the Science and Technology classrooms or the Early Years Centre and find out why EIS is more than just an ordinary school. EIS offers a supportive and challenging academic education from early years to Grade 12 (K-12). Through its motto “Educating Global Citizens,” the school promotes intercultural understanding and respect, not as an alternative to a sense of national identity, but as an essential part of life in the 21st century.
Contact: Visit www.eishcmc.com or email info@eishcmc.com
April 26
What: ANZAC Friendship Match
Where: Vung tau
About: The ANZAC Friendship Match between the Vietnam Swans and the Malaysian Warriors aims to promote a strong relationship between Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand. For the first time in the Swannies’ history there will be three games at the Lord Mayor’s Oval. The first will be a ladies/mixed match, to be followed by the curtain raising Legends vs All Stars Game and the main event, Swans vs the Warriors. Following the match, a McMillan dinner and charity auction will be held at the Imperial Hotel where Alex Jezaulenko will be the guest speaker. Alex is one of the most influential players of the Australian game, being a member of the AFL Team of the Century and an inductee of the Hall of Fame as a Legend.
Pre-booking tickets for the dinner is a must as it is expected to sell out. (Ticket prices will be USD60). There will be buses leaving HCMC on both Thursday (for those who want to travel to attend the Long Tan ANZAC Dawn Service) and Friday leaving the Commonwealth Bank (55 Nguyen Du, District 1).
Contact: Visit www.vietnamswans.com for more info
April 26-27
What: Cycling Tour
Where: HCMC-Dalat
About: Saigonbikecare.com is holding a two-day HCMC-Dalat cycling tour. Day one will be a 140km cycling tour from HCMC to Bao Loc. A bus will take riders out of HCMC to Long Khanh for safety reasons and to avoid heavy traffic. Then all riders will be on saddles and ride to Bao Loc. Day two will be a 120km tour from Bao Loc to Dalat.
Registration fee per rider is USD320 and USD520 if with a spouse, and an additional USD70 for each family member who wants to come along. For those who want to fly back to HCMC, a flight will be arranged for VND1,250,000 per person.
Contact: Call Henry Luong at 091 869 9288 to sign up
April 27
What: Mekong Expeditions Rally
Where: Ho Chi Minh City to Dien Bien Phu
About: Adventure travel operator Mekong Expeditions will stage a cross-country car rally to commemorate and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu in northern Vietnam, and the recent passing of legendary war hero, General Vo Nguyen Giap. The historic car rally will depart HCMC on April 27 and arrive in Dien Bien Phu on May 6. More than 10 vehicles of all ages, shapes and sizes will journey in convoy from HCMC across the border into Cambodia. The convoy will then head northeast into Laos and drive for 11 nights and 12 days. The route will trace the Ho Chi Minh trail and encompass Indochina, traversing the mighty Mekong River. Teams will comprise of Vietnamese and overseas drivers.
Contact: Email Barry Atkinson at barry@mekong-expeditions.com or visit www.mekong-expeditions.com
May 15-18
What: Mountain Marathon
Where: Sapa, Northern Vietnam
About: The Vietnam Mountain Marathon is holding a running camp to help get participants in shape for the hills. Billed as a social weekend for lovers of mountains and fresh air, this is a chance to run in a fantastic climate at a very special time of year when the rice fields are truly stunning. The camp includes an option to conquer Vietnam’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan, in just one day. The full package is USD400 and includes return trains to Sapa, bungalow accommodation at Topas Ecolodge, all meals, and three days of running.
Contact: Call 091 257 8335 or email info@vietnammountainmarathon.com
May 31
What: Le Fruit Off-Road Triathlon
Where: Ho Tram Beach, Ba Ria, Vung Tau
About: Le Fruit Triathlon has pledged to become the “Greenest Triathlon.” The organizers are implementing green race initiatives to minimize negative impacts on the province and set a standard for environmentally responsible mass participatory athletic events. Around 200 triathletes will compete this year. The race will commence with a tide-assisted sea swim along the coast and continues with a challenging off-road bike course and back run along the 10km beach.
Contact: Register online at lefruittriathlon.tumblr.com or email info@talai-adventure.vn
