DOCUMENTARY: Travel and Adventure Film Series program “Silk Road Odyssey – Beijing to the Black Sea”

Award-winning Chinese musician, composer and conductor Zhang Ying will open the Travel and Adventure Film Series program “Silk Road Odyssey – Beijing to the Black Sea” with an amazing presentation of ancient Chinese instruments and music on Friday, February 13th at 3:30 p.m. at the Richard G. Hardy Performing Arts Center at Cambridge-Isanti High School in Cambridge.

Zhang Ying who now lives in Edina, has composed 300 compositions; won over 40 awards in China including the Wen Hua prize (China’s highest art award) and the title of First Class Composer. He has performed on 10 ancient Chinese instruments in eight different countries. Since moving to the U.S. 12 years ago he has received nine different fellowships, grants and commissions. He has performed with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, written 30 compositions for the Minnesota Chinese Music Ensemble and written a four part choral work for the Dale Warland Singers. He has studied and collected traditional minority music in China, Laos or Cambodia. Don’t miss this talented Chinese (and now US) treasure of musical talent.

At 4:00 p.m. professional filmmakers Mary Lee and Sid Nolan will narrate their fascinating film “Silk Road Odyssey – Beijing to the Black Sea”. This high quality film is a rare glimpse into the history, traditions and natural beauty of one of the more remote and lesser known regions of the world. It traces the historic route of ancient caravans that carried silk and treasures from China through six former Soviet Countries including Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and ending in Georgia. It captures the Forbidden City in Beijing; the Terra Cotta Soldiers in Xian (starting point of the Silk Route); deserts, caves; Turpan Oasis (one of the lowest places on earth); Hotan (famous for its jade, carvings, silk fabrics and carvings); the 12,000 ft. Turorgart Pass in Kyrgystan; the fertile Fergana Valley; the modern city of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (noted for its museum, carpets and market) and finally the northern Silk Road route along the Caucasus Mountains to the Black Sea.

The Nolans have worked in educational media production for 35 years producing documentaries, educational materials and specialty films. They have advanced degrees in History, Geography, Anthropology, Journalism and Recreational Resource Development.

Purchase advanced sale tickets from Cambridge-Isanti Community Education Office at 625B Main St. N. in Cambridge or by phone at 763-689-6189 or online at www.cambridge.k12.mn.us and press Community Education, Online Com Ed Registration, Adult Enrichment and Travel and Adventure Series. Tickets will also be available at the door.

This will be an opportunity to experience the life and culture half way around the world and to see and hear high quality family educational entertainment without leaving Cambridge.

source: moraminn.com