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Asian Idol aspirations
By RENATO GANDIA, SUN MEDIA
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Quintin Wang's chances of capturing the first Edmonton Asian Idol title are pretty good.
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7 I/ p+ N' P3 ]- d! |" JThe 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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a% j u! ?. k) j: U# A4 s0 hLong, 33, prefers to compete alongside her husband. But she said she agreed to compete separately so they would have two chances at nabbing the $500 prize.
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9 {8 K% N0 Q; [$ ]# q5 k1 U& d7 l1 yAnd besides, she's enjoying herself.
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5 z- {: B; h2 E/ f6 r9 S, C"Music is fantastic," she said yesterday. "If you have it in your life, it will be bright. You will be happy."
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: V. B3 D4 \$ w2 `* Z$ h! n" oIn 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.( ~, R" j$ V* {
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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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" m1 K* e" m) H' ~/ R) lKazumi 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. Q2 i0 g( g+ W/ o& {" V
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"When I came to Canada, I didn't have these opportunities," Wu said.7 X3 e" h0 F+ B6 x
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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.
! a& U2 E/ n% e' `http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/ ... 21/4784517-sun.html |
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