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Asian Idol aspirations
By RENATO GANDIA, SUN MEDIA
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" C1 O2 S, }: K! s5 RQuintin Wang's chances of capturing the first Edmonton Asian Idol title are pretty good.
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The 35-year-old earned the highest audition marks yesterday, and only 35 contestants auditioned all weekend for 15 semifinal spots.0 o* a0 h& P% \( ?$ Q
0 X) t2 y$ R% T! r5 a6 V8 dBut 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 $500 prize.( n% r* X1 o4 k( S4 b' C
! |3 n$ o0 L& N3 nAnd besides, she's enjoying herself.
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' N4 O) V7 N8 G) Z5 t" |"Music is fantastic," she said yesterday. "If you have it in your life, it will be bright. You will be happy."& ?, k% u, r+ q) x0 j4 H w" J0 @9 C
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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.
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7 d* O6 `4 P3 @; e" \8 e9 r8 ~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./ T7 ]+ `$ U. h/ G
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"When I came to Canada, I didn't have these opportunities," Wu said.
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6 A6 H3 f3 M, TThe 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.
" V3 L4 I! V6 Rhttp://www.edmontonsun.com/News/ ... 21/4784517-sun.html |
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