Last year, we told you about Vietnamese-Australian Idol finalist Thanh Bui joining forces with top talents in the movie De Mai Tinh. This Saturday, Thanh Bui will perform next to legendary Vietnamese singers and musicians at the International Children Assistance Network’s (ICAN) 9th annual “Hat Cho Tuoi Tho” concert in San Jose, CA. The impressive lineup includes singers Tran Thu Ha, Bach Yen, and Tung Duong and many more from around the world.
The “Hat Cho Tuoi Tho” concert series has been supporting ICAN’s philanthropic mission since 2003:
“To help children realize their potential and become compassionate leaders by building stronger family and community support networks for the children, and providing them with skills, confidence and opportunities to succeed in school, and in life.”
This year’s proceeds will benefit ICAN’s projects in Northern California and Vietnam as well as the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan. Find out more about ICAN’s work at ican2.org.
I had the pleasure of chatting with ICAN’s executive director, Quyen Vuong, yesterday about her anticipation for Saturday’s concert:
Q: How did the “Hat Cho Tuoi Tho” concert series get started?
A: We first decided to do the concert because we needed more money to support the programs in Vietnam as well as our community building programs here. This was in 2003. At that time, none of us had experience on how to do a concert. We worked with the famous composer Ngo Thuy Mien, and he introduced us to his friends to help. They have been coming up here from Orange County every year for the last 9 years to help us with the concert. It is a community effort.
Q: How many people usually attend the concert?
A: 800 to 1,000 people. They tend to be long time supporters of ICAN and come back every year. A lot of times, they’ll bring new friends and that’s how a lot of people get introduced to ICAN. It is a fundraising concert, but in many ways it is also an outreach event where people come to learn more about ICAN.
Q: What do the audience and volunteers enjoy the most about the concert?
A: The audience enjoys the fresh and new program every year. It’s a very high quality concert. It’s something for every generation. We attract very talented singers and musicians. For the volunteers, it’s like a big renunion every year. It’s a big group and they work closely side by side.
Q: Where would you like to see the concert go next year?
A: I’d love for the concert to have more people coming and to reach out to the college student crowd. That’s why we have younger performers like Thanh Bui and Tung Duong, who are very contemporary. Another aspect of ICAN’s concert that I really like is we sort of discover new talents. Right now, we have Truc Cam who’s 9 years old, and she has been singing for us since she was 5. She has improved so much and basically surprised everybody with her singing talent. Last year, she sang “I Dreamed A Dreamed” and she was unbelievable. She sent chills down my spine!
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: The singers and the musicians don’t just come for the business, they come with their hearts, especially the musicians. They are top in their fields. When you’re such an expert at things, you come and play with all your heart and soul, the passion becomes the prize.
Check out the International Children Assistance Network (ICAN) 9th annual “Hat Cho Tuoi Tho ” benefit concert on Saturday, April 2, 7PM at California Theater in San Jose, CA. Click here to purchase tickets.
What was your most memorable moment from a “Hat Cho Tuoi Tho” concert that you’ve attended?
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