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Asian Idol aspirations
By RENATO GANDIA, SUN MEDIA' w0 L) }6 M' y3 E5 F! b' q
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Quintin Wang's chances of capturing the first Edmonton Asian Idol title are pretty good.0 i# {6 q; c: l/ Z, `# j" z5 i
+ B( j$ `3 ?) X7 q. ?1 LThe 35-year-old earned the highest audition marks yesterday, and only 35 contestants auditioned all weekend for 15 semifinal spots.
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But to win the local competition, which wraps up Feb. 3 with the finals, he's going to have to beat his longtime singing partner - his wife Yan Long.
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Long, 33, prefers to compete alongside her husband. But she said she agreed to compete separately so they would have two chances at nabbing the $500 prize.
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And besides, she's enjoying herself.
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7 p! G: K3 \+ H"Music is fantastic," she said yesterday. "If you have it in your life, it will be bright. You will be happy."' o. h; N8 e% B3 J
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In spite of the scant showing of idol wannabes yesterday and Saturday at West Edmonton Mall, organizers said it's been a great opportunity for unknown and undiscovered singing sensations to gain exposure.
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Spokesman Lan Chan-Marples admitted the singing competition wasn't widely promoted, but many young singers took interest and spread the word through Facebook.; r( |0 `5 [: k4 |' R3 B
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Kazumi Wu, 31, heard about Asian Idol from friends. The young mom said she was a lead singer and occasional bass guitar player in a band in Osaka, Japan.
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, x( w6 l% G- [1 N"When I came to Canada, I didn't have these opportunities," Wu said.
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The 15 semifinalists will be announced today. They will compete Feb. 2 at the AgriCom. On Feb. 3, eight finalists will do a sing-off for the title of Edmonton's first Asian Idol.5 n9 P0 d% n1 [; N6 C' q% d" j
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/ ... 21/4784517-sun.html |
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