Taiwan actress plays twin roles in romantic comedy

Taiwan model/actress Lin Chih-ling plays identical twins - one a material girl and the other, a down-to-earth office worker - in Love on Credit, a romantic comedy to be released this autumn.

Lin, who has acted in only three films before, has been studying under Zhang Songwen, of Beijing Film Academy, to improve her acting and voice control.

Marco Polo dance-drama does another round

After its premiere last year, the first original dance-drama by the National Center for the Performing Arts, Marco Polo, had its second round of shows from Sept 21 to 24.

Performed by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, the dance-drama tells the story of the legendary Venetian merchant who traveled the Silk Road and stayed in China for some 24 years.

Directed and choreographed by Chen Weiya, assistant director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and composed by Zhang Qianyi, the work also features La Scala's leading dancer Mick Zeni as Marco Polo and Chinese dancer Yin Shuo as a princess.

Experts discuss Kunqu Opera and art of Chinese zither

China Kunqu Opera and Guqin Research Institute recently held a conference and seminar in Beijing.

Kunqu Opera and the art of guqin (seven-stringed Chinese zither) have been deemed two masterpieces of the world's Intangible Heritage by UNESCO. China Kunqu Opera and Guqin Research Institute, led by chairman Tian Qing, is an organization dedicated to the preservation and education of the two arts.

Super Girl Jane Zhang in new adventure

Mainland singer Jane Zhang, winner of Super Girl, a Chinese version of American Idol, sings the theme song in Lee's Adventure, a film starring Jaycee Chan, son of Jackie Chan. The song is part of Zhang's new album, Change.

Zhang was second runner-up in Super Girl in 2005 and was the first Chinese pop singer to appear on Oprah Winfrey's show.

The film will premiere on Oct 3.

Exhibitions seek to demystify Inca culture

Three exhibitions on Peruvian culture, Machu Picchu 100 Years' Global Disclosure, Jose Maria Arguedas Centennial 1911-2011 and Sculptor Martin Salazar, are being held in Beijing from Sept 16-25 to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Peru. They are sponsored by the Ministry of Culture of China and the Embassy of the Republic of Peru to China.

Machu Picchu features the fascinating Inca civilization in South America, and was designated a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 1983.

Born in 1911 in Peru, Jose Maria Arguedas is an expert on Inca civilization, and has been called the "Father of Peru Liberationists". Martin Salazar is one of the most well-known sculptors in Peru, who received his master's degree at Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing and now divides his time between the Chinese capital and Paris.

Two new albums from avant-garde musician

Avant-garde Chinese rock musician Zuoxiao Zuzhou has released two new albums together - Trip to Temple Fair II and You Know the Enemy Is Over There.

Tript to Temple Fair II is a follow-up to his 1999 album Trip to Temple Fair I. The new CD includes the theme song he composed for Gu Changwei's film, Life Is a Miracle.

The other CD, You Know the Enemy Is Over There, features musicians from different genres, including classical violinist Lu Siqing, Chinese American instrumentalist Li Daiguo and traditional ballad singer Guo Yongzhang.

China Daily

(China Daily 09/24/2011 page11)