Among the fourteen shows /
entertainment events available on Valentine’s Day (within the
Vietnamese community), “Hat Cho Tuoi Tho” was the only
non-profit event with the goal of helping underprivileged
Vietnamese children in the Bay area as well as in Vietnam.
Proceeds from the concert will go to support our existing
programs in Vietnam and the Bay area. Proceeds will also be
used to build a new facility for Tue Tinh Duong, a free clinic
for the poor children and families in Hue.
ICAN members greeting the audiences
Many have joined ICAN in our work to
help the children, including Lam Phuong, one of the Vietnamese
legendary composers. Despite his ailing health, Mr. Lam Phuong
came up from Southern California to appear in the
concert and voice his support for ICAN’s work. Sitting
graciously in a wheel chair, being completely at peace with
himself, Mr. Lam Phuong acknowledged the care and concerns from
the audience, and went on to say “… don’t worry about me, my
illness will heal… please direct your help to the less
fortunate women and children… ”
Khanh Ly drops her head on Lam Phuong's arm. "Thank you for your dedicate work, for your great heart."
The program was orchestrated by Thomas
Ngo, a well-respected Vietnamese American music conductor, known
for his creative arrangements and unexpected twists in his
program. Through a careful selection of songs and performers,
Thomas Ngo allows for each singer to bring out his/her best in
their solos. He also explores other ways to combine the talents
so as to present old songs in a new light, to make the
heart-warming music and lyrics come alive from a new
perspective. The audience was intrigued with a duet between
Quang Tuan & Tran Thai Hoa, two of the top Vietnamese American
male vocalists, in the song “….” “… It was so different from
the usual Vietnamese duet style, yet it is still very
Vietnamese, and their voices blended so well together in perfect
harmony…”
Participating in the orchestra were the
familiar faces of Tran Nhat Hien and Nhat Quan, two of the top
Vietnamese violinists in the Bay area. How many came back from
last year? They all came to ICAN and Hat Cho Tuoi Tho because
of their love for the music and the children.
One of the highlights of the event was
the pianist and MC, Mr. Vinh Lac. Appearing for the first time
in San Jose, and the second time in the role of an MC, Vinh Lac
completely mesmerized the audience with his comments and
knowledge about the Vietnamese literature as seen in the music
of Van Cao, Doan Chuan – Tu Linh, and Lam Phuong, all famous
musicians whose work form the theme of this year’s concert.
Being his usual self, a perfectionist in everything that he
does, Vinh Lac has arguably raised the role of an MC to the next
level: not only should an MC help guide the flow of the
program, he/she should also help the audience develop better
appreciation for the music being performed. Countless patrons
have sent in their compliments and requested that Vinh Lac
appear again in our program next year.
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“He has the knowledge, and he speaks with such
passion!”
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“ A star was born!”
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“It was like listening to a professor doing a review
on Vietnamese music and literature…”
