'The Great Chicken Wing Hunt' documentary premieres locally in conjunction with National Buffalo Wing Festival

Source: The Buffalo News, N.迷你倉Y.Aug. 28--If you grew up enjoying Buffalo chicken wings and spent any time away from Western New York, there's a good chance you've experienced The Hunger. It's often triggered by some poor innocent soul hearing you were from Buffalo, and just trying to be friendly."Hey, I know a place around here where you can get Buffalo wings," they might say. Leaving you grasping for a response less acidic than "No, you don't."After growing up outside of Rochester, Matt Reynolds found himself working for Reuters in Bratislava, Slovakia, a place with zero wing joints. Not even a Hooters.In desperation, he started making his own wings, using airlifted Frank's Red Hot and the best chicken wings he could find. He watched his friends' faces light up as they finally got what he had been going on and on about wings. They understood what he had known seemingly forever: Buffalo wings are world-class.One night, after wings and strong drink, Reynolds and some filmmaker friends hatched a plan. They would travel to America in search of the best Buffalo wings, with a panel of judges rating each stop. The cameras would roll as they homed in on the epitome of the iconic American dish."The Great Chicken Wing Hunt," filmed in 2007, has its Buffalo premiere starting Friday in the Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre (639 Main St.) in conjunction with this weekend's National Buffalo Wing Festival at Coca-Cola Field.In the documentary, Reynolds leads a crew of die-hard wing lovers through 72 wing joints, stopping only to win a saucemaking contest at the Buffalo wing festival. The Slovak crew and his long-suffering Czech girlfriend, Lucie, tag along and ask sensible questions like: What kind of person eats chicken wings at 12 places in one day?On their journey, the cameras capture moments that elevate the documentary from the realm of obsessive food porn and "reality" television to something approaching art.When the crew reaches the end of the road, at Buffalo's Anchor Bar, the questions they grapple with would engage wing lovers anywhere. When is a wing no longer a Buffalo wing? Does it have to be defined by Frank's Red Hot and butter, or can a dramatically different sauce still be a Buffalo wing?Must the Buffalo wing stay frozen in time and taste to stay true to itself, or can it evolve without losing its greatness?The answers Reynolds and gang arrive at may outrage some viewers. But there's no doubt they put in the hours, the indigestion, the indelible sauce stains. They earned the right to hold forth on wing wisdom.Reynolds, who will host discussion sessions after screenings at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, took a few min自存倉tes to talk about the movie from his home in Flushing.So this all started with a bunch of people hungry after drink. Like so many chicken wing stories.I was making wings for my new friends, Slovaks and Poles, introducing a lot of people to wings for the first time.There's something about wings, they're such a social, communal food, and they generate such enthusiasm in people. These parties became very popular events in my circle of friends in Bratislava, and one night late we were drinking and we thought it would be neat to have a wing tour of upstate New York. It went from there.Beware the documentarian on the prowl for ideas.They thought it was interesting how into wings I was, and the more they talked about it, the notion of wings being one of the first uniquely American foods to conquer the world. You can argue about pizza and hamburgers, but another argument is that those have roots in other places.Even if you don't think it's that remarkable, 50 years ago these things were thrown out or sold for next to nothing, and now they've spread out all over the world.You note in the film that each judge consumed approximately 400,000 calories in wings. Did the experience leave you with a different view of chicken wings? Do you still eat them as often?I still like wings, I don't eat them as much as you might think. When I'm not on a wing hunt, I don't eat them all that often, because they're not good for you. Also now when I eat wings, it's related to the movie, so depending how I'm feeling about the movie that particular day, it can be a little bit of a chore. But I still like wings very much.As the movie progresses, some common factors in the best wings emerge: fresh meat, not frozen. Frequently changed fryer oil. Butter, not margarine. What else?That's right. Of lesser importance, if you're going to make an ultra-hot wing, don't make it hotter by leaving out the butter. Butter carries flavor. And use fresh peppers, not extracts.Taste is personal. So was this search personal, too?I was born in the mid-'70s. I was part of the first generation that grew up eating wings all the time. They were a big part of my childhood. Through this crazy journey I did come to realize a sort of profound thing: Wings actually were a big part of my identity. Why? Maybe there weren't a whole lot of other things to be proud of where I'm from.When you make a documentary, especially a personal one, you're always looking for those moments. Actually learning something about myself along the way.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.) Visit The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.) at .buffalonews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉新蒲崗

Court sentences 56 for telecom scam

By Sun Li and Hu Meidong in Xiamen, Fujiansunli@chinadaily.自存倉com.cn Fifty-six people were sentenced at Xiamen Intermediate People's Court on Thursday for their involvement in a large transnational telecom scam. The court said all of the defendants were arrested in 2011 in Cambodia, and most of them were poorly educated young people from the Chinese mainland. Their handlers were from Taiwan. The sentences ranged from 27 months to 12 years in prison, along with fines of 2,000 to 100,000 yuan ($327.00 to $16,300). The gang would telephone people on the Chinese mainland and pretend to be court or police officials, the court said. More than 180 victims from 10 provinces, including Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Sichuan, were cheated out of 15.56 million yuan. Li Zhiyuan, deputy chief justice of Xiamen Intermediate People's Court, said the case shows a lack of public awareness of phone scams. The scammers usually would identify themselves as judicial or police officials and tell victims they were involved in a money-laundering or other economic case, Li said. They would say the victims' bank accounts had been compromised and advised them to transfer their money to designated "safe" accounts. "But the country's judiciary wouldn't handle such a serious matter simply by making a phone call. It would have a written notification," Li said. Li said the number of telecom scams had risen in Xiamen. In 2011, the court dealt with 30 such cases, but in 2012, there were 36. This year seems well on the way to at least repeat that number with the court handling 24 cases in the first six months. "Many victims panicked, and they forgot to check the facts. They didn't quite understand the legal procedures, and they didn't dare 迷你倉新蒲崗sk someone for advice. Because of these factors, they fell into the trap," Li said. Sun Jungong, spokesman of the Supreme People's Court, said at the news conference after the trial, "Such types of phone frauds are increasing and sometimes they are alluring." Other tricks include telling victims they won a lottery or prize, and using scams involving online shopping. Sun said people should be suspicious of calls that ask for cash or fund transfers, and should not give out their bank details or passwords. Thursday's verdict closed only part of a case that involves 598 suspects, including 186 from the Chinese mainland, who were arrested across Southeast Asia. Since 2011, police on the mainland have worked with police in Taiwan, as well as in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand to launch a joint investigation into the massive telecom scam. Investigators found a Taiwan phone-fraud gang had set up a string of calling bases in Cambodia and recruited the defendants by offering free airline tickets, food, lodging and salaries since February 2011. Wang Feng, an official at the criminal investigation bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, which handled the case, said the scammers went through formal training and were divided into three groups to assume different roles when calling their victims. Some other divisions of the gang were responsible for network maintenance and money transfers and laundering, Wang added. Most of the gang's computer servers were outside the Chinese mainland, and the swindlers used disguised phone numbers that matched those of public security bureaus or courts when they called from overseas. That added to the difficulty of gathering solid evidence during the investigation, he said. 迷你倉出租

18 charged in violent heroin ring in Wilkinsburg

Source: Pittsburgh Post-GazetteAug.新蒲崗迷你倉 29--Eighteen people have been charged in connection with a heroin ring whose leaders plotted to rob and kill a rival dealer to ensure their control over the local trade, the Pennsylvania attorney general's office said today.The investigation into the "Wilkinsburg Crew" began last year, when Allegheny County police began cracking down on heroin distribution in Wilkinsburg and nearby communities after learning that several shootings and homicides might have been connected to the heroin trade, Attorney General Kathleen Kane said in a press release.She said her office, the county police and several other local departments worked together to investigate the ring as part of "Operation Wilkinsburg Crew."When they conducted court-ordered wire taps, orchestrated undercover drug purchases and executed search warrants on suspected crew members they discovered that "members of the 'Wilkinsburg Crew' allegedly plotted to rob and murder a rival heroin dealer in an effort to control heroin trafficking in Wilkinsburg and profit personally," according to a press release.A state-wide grand jury recommended the charges that were filed today.According to the grand jury, Garnett Long-Parham, 27, of Monroeville, traveled to Newark, N.J., about once a month, purchasing an average of 1,500 bags of heroin each time, the AG's office said.The grand jury described Julian Thompson, 20, of Wilkinsburg, as a key leader of the Wilkinsburg Crew and said he sold about 50 bags of heroin per week under the brand names MMG, VIP, Hitman, Maserati, Bad Boyz, Harley-Davidson, Super Bowl and Exxon.Sometimes, the AG's office said, the crew members got 13-year-olds to help run their drugs from one location to another.A significant number of the people who purchased heroin from Mr. Thompson were from Westmoreland County, which has seen 20 heroin-related deaths so far this year, according to the AG's office.Mr. Thompson faces charges of criminal conspiracy, participating in a corrupt organization and delivery of heroin.Mr. Long-Parham faces the same charges as well as one count of possession with attempt to deliver heroin.Also charged in connection wimini storageh "Operation Wilkinsburg Crew" are:--Jasmine Carter, 23, no known address, charged with delivery and possession of heroin--James Shanks, 23, of Penn Hills, charged with participating in a corrupt organization, criminal conspiracy, delivery and possession of heroin--Andre Brown, 21, of Lawrenceville, charged with delivery and possession of heroin--Gregory Nash, 33, of Garfield, charged with conspiracy--Vadol Lewis, 20, no address listed, charged with participating in a corrupt organization, conspiracy, delivery of heroin and possession of heroin--Kyland Napper, 20, of Wilkinsburg, charged with delivery of heroin and possession of heroin--Kyle Wilson, 19, of Wilkinsburg, charged with participating in a corrupt organization, criminal conspiracy, delivery of heroin and possession of heroin--Eric Newsome, 21, of Plum, charged with delivery of heroin and possession of heroin--Emmett Wilson, 21, of Wilkinsburg, charged with participating in a corrupt organization, conspiracy, delivery of heroin and possession of heroin--Jonas Gillespie, 20, of Wilkinsburg, charged with participating in a corrupt organization, conspiracy, delivery of heroin and possession of heroin--Dalemar Satchell, 20, of Penn Hills, charged with participating in a corrupt organization, conspiracy, delivery of heroin and possession of heroin--Reginald Freeman, 21, of Penn Hills, charged with participating in a corrupt organization, conspiracy, delivery of heroin and possession of heroin--Tyree Young, 22, of Wilmerding, charged with participating in a corrupt organization, conspiracy, delivery of heroin and possession of heroin--Michael Barr, 25, of Lincoln-Lemington, charged with participating in a corrupt organization, conspiracy, delivery of heroin and possession of heroin--Nicholas Beck, 29, of Greensburg, charged with participating in a corrupt organization and criminal conspiracy--Khiry Thomas, 23,of Wilkinsburg, charged with possessing heroinLiz Navratil: lnavratil@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1438 or on Twitter @LizNavratil.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at .post-gazette.com Distributed by MCT Information Servicesself storage

TV-Radio Notebook: High school football hits the airwaves

Source: Ventura County Star, Calif.迷你倉出租Aug. 29--School's in, and that means high school football will be up and running Friday night, in person, on TV and online.It used to be the only way you could experience a game was to show up in person, or maybe, if you were lucky, a radio station might be carrying it. But nowadays, TV coverage on cable or live streaming is becoming more the norm than the exception. Whether that's philosophically good or bad is up to you.First, a quick look at national coverage. ESPN's networks will continue to show games weekly, and this season the new Fox Sports 1 also plans to show some contests nationally. None of these games, so far, include local teams.Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket will continue to carry weekly games, starting Friday night with Hart at Santiago-Corona on FSW at 7. Local teams on the schedule include Oaks Christian vs. Chaminade on Sept. 19 and Westlake at Crespi on Sept. 27.Fox's "Prep Zone" website at foxsportswest.com returns for the third year with four additional games online each week. Nordhoff at Thousand Oaks on Sept. 27 is on the early schedule.Our own VCStar.com will once again stream weekly games, starting Friday night at 7 p.m. with St. Bonaventure-Garfield. The games are announced by Danny Page and former Star prep editor Derry Eads.Time Warner Cable is showing Southern California games on two channels this season. The expanded SoCal 101 channel will start showing live games Friday night with Oceanside at San Diego-St. Augustine at 7. Next Saturday, Sept. 7, SoCal 101 will show two local games on tape-delay: Oaks Christian-Upland at 4 p.m. and St. Bonaventure-Corona-Centennial at 8. Time Warner also continues with the tape-delay package of games it has had for the past few years, but has moved them to Channel 354. Fairfax-Roosevelt airs at midnight tonight and twice more over the weekend.Friday night's Oaks Christian opener against Bakersfield is scheduled to be streamed on Playonsports.com.CIF CENTENNIALFox Sports West and Prime Ticket plan several programs this fall commemorating the 100th year of the CIF-Southern Section, the governing body for high school sports for most of Southern California.It began with Thursday night's 90-minute "100 Years of the CIF-Southern Section" retrospective, which will be repeated at 1 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. Monday, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and at noon and 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Westlake High grad Eric Wynalda is among those interviewed.On Fridays starting Oct. 4 there will be half-hour shows on narrower subjects titled "100 Athletes for 100 Years." Topics include "Football," "Trojans," "Long Beach," "Inland Empire," "South Bay," "Santa Barbara" (sorry, no Ventura County), "Female Icons," "Basketball," "Track and Field," "On the Diamond" (baseball and softball), and "Beach" (looking at volleyball).AN ACQUIRED TASTE?Watching the first few episodes of "Olbermann" on ESPN2, a viewer comes to a quick conclusion: Keith Olbermann really likes to talk. And he really likes to talk about himself.It's a show that is finding its way. It's a show that is much more intelligent than many other sports talk shows. But it's a show that might be an acquired taste; it might take a while to grow on you.He does go on and on about some things. He spent the first 13 minutes of the first show ranting about New York's over-the-top coverage of the New York Jets.Olbermann does indeed talk about himself rather incessantly, but a lot of it is self-depreciating humor. He has had such a history with spor迷你倉s, politics and ESPN that it is unlikely to expect that some of that history won't creep into his show.If Olbermann's previous work has resulted in your hating him, stay away from this show. But if you liked him, or are at least willing to give him a chance, then do so. There are definitely things to like about "Olbermann."OTHER NOTESThere is no "Fox Saturday Baseball" the next two weeks. ESPN and Little League Baseball have signed an eight-year extension from 2015 to 2022. NFL Network will debut its latest "America's Game" documentary on the 2012 champion Baltimore Ravens at 6 p.m. Monday. Chris "Mad Dog" Russo signed a new three-year contract with SiriusXM Satellite Radio. He will continue his daily show and also be a part of a new show on MLB Network next spring that will be simulcast on SiriusXM. SiriusXM will also start carrying "The Dan Patrick Show" from 6 to 9 a.m. on Channel 86 starting Tuesday. The WatchESPN app has been expanded to carry ESPNews and ESPN Deportes.WEEKEND WATCHABLESFridayBASEBALL: San Diego at Los Angeles Dodgers, 7 p.m., Prime TicketHyun-Jin Ryu (12-5, 3.08 ERA) pitches for the Dodgers against Eric Stults (8-11, 3.72) and the Padres.TENNIS: U.S. Open, 7:30 a.m., Tennis Channel; 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., ESPN2If getting CBS is a problem for you (Time Warner customers, you know who you are), then this might be your best chance to see tennis this weekend.COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Northern Arizona at Arizona, 7 p.m., Pac-12 NetworksArizona may struggle in the Pacific-12, but not in this game against the Lumberjacks.BASEBALL: Los Angeles Angels at Milwaukee, 5 p.m., FS WestJered Weaver (8-7, 3.46) pitches for the Angels. If this were a different era, we might call him the "Simi Valley Slinger."SaturdayCOLLEGE FOOTBALL: Nevada at UCLA, 7 p.m., Pac-12 NetworksUCLA starts its glamorous quest to play in its third straight Pacific-12 championship game, but its first game is on the still-obscure Pac-12 Networks.BASEBALL: San Diego at Los Angeles Dodgers, 6 p.m., Prime TicketThere's nothing great about the Padres, but thanks to the Giants, they may not finish in last place.COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Nicholls State at Oregon, 1 p.m., Fox Sports 1The Ducks, starting the post-Chip Kelly era, still have a lot of flash.COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Temple at Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m., KNBC (Ch. 4)The Fighting Irish start the season ranked No. 14.TENNIS: U.S. Open, 8 a.m., KCBS (Ch. 2), CBS Sports Network; 4 p.m., Tennis ChannelTime Warner customers won't get Channel 2, but they will get supplementary coverage on CBSSN and night matches on Tennis Channel.SOCCER: MLS, San Jose at Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m., TWC SportsNetThe Galaxy has moved into second place in the Western Conference while the Earthquakes are eighth.SundayBASEBALL: San Diego at Los Angeles Dodgers, 1 p.m., Prime TicketAfter a great 8.2-inning performance against the Cubs on Monday, Zack Greinke (13-3, 2.86) closes out the Padres series.BASEBALL: Baltimore at New York Yankees, 10 a.m., TBSThe Orioles and Yankees are trying to move up in the American League wild-card standings.COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Ohio at Louisville, 12:30 p.m., ESPNWith no NFL until next week, the college game even rules Sunday. Louisville is ranked No. 9.AUTO RACING: NASCAR AdvoCare 500, 4:30 p.m., ESPNClint Bowyer trails leader Jimmie Johnson by 18 points in the Sprint Cup standings.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.) Visit Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.) at .vcstar.com Distributed by MCT Information Services儲存倉

Ben-Dov sells Tel Aviv penthouse for NIS 13m

Source: Globes, Tel Aviv, IsraelAug.迷你倉 29--Sources inform "Globes" that Ilan Ben-Dov sold his penthouse in the Manhattan Tower in Tel Aviv's Park Hatzameret for NIS 13 million in late April to Doron Livnat. The 252-square meter penthouse with a 68-square meter balcony is on the building's 36th floor. Prior to sale he rented the penthouse, reportedly for NIS 36,000 a month.The penthouse is one of four apartments that Ben-Dov bought in the Manhattan Tower. He and his wife reside in the north Tel Aviv neighborhood of Zahala.In July, the courts foreclosed on some of Ben-Dov's assets, including bank accounts, lots in Kfar Shmaryahou, and shares in his private holding company, Ben Dov Investments Ltd. The foreclosure was at the request of Bank Leumi (TASE: LUMI), which claims that Ben-Dov had abandoned his personal guarantee in the amount of NIS 62 million given for Tao Tsuot Ltd., which he controll文件倉d. Tao has been sent to liquidation, after Ben-Dov's two-year effort to reach a debt settlement for the company failed.Ben-Dov's other activity, Suny Electronics Ltd. (TASE: SUNY), which controlled Orange franchisee Partner Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR) until six months ago, is also insolvent, and its auditors attached a going concern warning to its financial report.Two weeks ago, the court temporarily lifted the foreclosure on Ben-Dov's assets to allow him and Bank Leumi to reach an agreement, after Ben-Dov expressed a willingness to give a lien on his 25 percent stake in Eilat's Mul Hayam Mall in favor of the bank.Ben-Dov told "Globes" in response, "No response, have a Happy New Year."Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Globes (Tel Aviv, Israel) Visit the Globes (Tel Aviv, Israel) at .globes.co.il/serveen/globes/nodeview.asp?fid=942 Distributed by MCT Information Services存倉

Boomsday FYI: What to bring, where to park, what streets are closed

Source: The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Tenn.迷你倉出租Aug. 29--Do BringSunscreen/hatsLawn chairs/blanketsCash for food, beverages, activitiesDon't BringMotorized vehicles or scooters (Knoxville Police decide if needed for people with disabilities)Backpacks (all bags subject to random search)Picnic supplies, coolers, refillable containersCans, bottles, outside food/drinkPetsSkateboards, bicycles, skates, skate shoesTents, canopies, umbrellasFirearms, laser pointing devicesAlcoholic beveragesFirst aid locationsVolunteer Landing on east tower's east sideUnder Henley Bridge on north side of Neyland DriveNorth side of Neyland across from Bridgeview GrillEast ramp of Thompson Boling ArenaWest end of Neyland across from G10 garageCLOSINGSMidnight, Aug. 31 -- Neyland west and east from Lake Loudon to Walnut3 p.m. Sept. 1 -- James White Parkway exit to Cumberland, Central at Main4 p.m. Sept. 1 Locust at Front & ramp from Hall Of Fame Drive to Neyland7 p.m. Sept. 1 -- Pedestrian bridge from City County Building to Volunteer Landing9 p.m. Sept. 1 -- Gay Street Bridge closes to pedestrians; roads Poplar at Main & Henley at West Hill close to traffic9:15 p.m. -- Gay Street Bridge closes to vehiclesCity Side Drive & Rocky Shore Drive at City View closed for event; no public viewing at City View shore, do迷你倉ksNo access to Summit Hill Drive from State Street at Hill AvenueBOATINGNo wake zone from orange railroad trestle to South Knoxville Bridge until midnight Sept. 1.No general public shore access via Volunteer Landing steps.City/UT docks available for temporary mooring after noon Sept. 1. Temporary parking available until 8 p.m. if one person stays on boatBoats should be in place on water at least by 9 p.m.; river's main channel closed from 9 p.m. until after fireworks.Mooring at City/UT docks open after fireworks with TWRA directing vessels.Boaters may be ticketed if navigational lights or fire extinguishes don't work, children under 13 aren't wearing life jackets or not enough personal flotation devices for every person on board plus one throwable device.PARKINGMarket Square and State Street Garage parking free; $5 at Dwight Kessel, Locust Street, City County & Knoxville Civic Coliseum garagesUT Parking lots/garages parking lots, $10 feeAccessible parking for people with disabilities with proper car id at UT S-23 parking at west corner of Lake Loudoun and Neyland Drive & in G10 parking garageCopyright: ___ (c)2013 the Knoxville News-Sentinel (Knoxville, Tenn.) Visit the Knoxville News-Sentinel (Knoxville, Tenn.) at .knoxnews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services儲存倉

Kunqu Opera gets up close and personal

Kunqu Opera, known as the “ancestor” of Chinese operas, used to be performed mainly for wealthy, noble and royal families in their private gardens and mansions.self storageThe 600-year-old art form is famous for the refinement and elegance of its music, poetic lyrics and graceful gestures. It was never opera for the masses and is best appreciated in small, intimate settings where details can be appreciated.After a four-year renovation, an old villa at 9 Shaoxing Road recreates the setting and ambience of the opera with a small, 180-seat theater and private salons.The Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, which has been based in the old mansion, at last has a proper home in what used to be the French Police Club in downtown Shanghai.“We are lucky to have our own Kunqu-style small theater. Very few traditional operas have their own small theater downtown,” says Gu Haohao, director of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe.It will open in early October. The date will be revealed later.The theater will also promote Kunqu Opera, listed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, through talks, seminars and exhibitions. It will provide a platform for young performers.“The charm of Kunqu Opera doesn’t lie in lavish setting but in its delicate singing style,” says critic and theater expert Chen Daming from the Shanghai Dramatists Association.Among all the efforts to revive Kunqu Opera, small theater that emphasizes singing is the best way, Chen says.“People in a small theater won’t be distant from the stage and can have a better appreciation of the opera’s vocal arts and charm.”Another example of successful small theater is the real garden version of “Peony Pavilion” at Kezhi Garden in suburban Jiading District, which only seats 200 people. Since it opened in 2010 it has proved successful, attracting around 30,000 theatergoers. It is staged every Saturday at 6pm.Plays with few characters, simple plots and settings are more suitable to small theaters than large ones, Chen says.In a small theater, people can better appreciate characters’ emotions and subtle shifts through their singing, dialogue and minute gestures, such as the flick of a finger and lifting of a hem. They can better understand the different meanings of “orchid-like” finger gestures and water-sleeve movements in Kunqu Opera.Other traditional operas can also be staged in small settings, which critic Chen considers a “good supplement to big stage performances.”The new small theater on Shaoxing Road will open in October with a series of performances, many of them well-known excerpts of the classics. The flavor of the originals will be retained while performance style will be more flexible.Before the curtain rises, critics and experts will give brief introductions to the operas and comment during intermissions.The 迷你倉roupe is considering staging light-hearted and romantic performances on traditional festivals such as Chinese Valentine’s Day and the Lantern Festival.Promoting traditional artIn addition to the theater, the renovated villa contains a show room for regular exhibitions of costumes, props and video clips that give visitors insight into the opera’s art and history.The multi-function hall is a venue for conferences, various cultural events and salons for members, as well as buffets.The 1930s villa is the former French Police Club, where dance parties were held for the policemen and their family members. After 1949, it became a venue for the Shanghai Peking Opera Troupe. In 1979 the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe moved in. The villa has witnessed performances by many famous Kunqu and Peking opera artists. It was also rehearsal spaces.Cultural landmarkThe 38-million-yuan (US$6.13 million) renovation preserves the three-storey villa’s original exterior, while the interior is elegant. A staircase twisting between floors, chandeliers and stained glass windows create a nostalgic atmosphere.The aim is to make the villa a cultural landmark on Shaoxing Road. The road is already famous for its plane trees, tranquility and cultural atmosphere. Visitors can find book stores, stylish cafes and publishing houses.It is also expected to be developed into a new tourist attraction along with nearby Shanghai Culture Square, Tianzifang art hub and the Liuli China Museum of art glass.Since the 1990s, the troupe has promoted Kunqu Opera to young audiences around China. It has around 8,000 club members from all over China, mostly professionals and people interested in Chinese culture.Kunqu Opera lectures and salons will be held regularly in the renovated villa. Opera fans can attend “Follow Me” classes to learn basic singing and performance skills from members of the troupe. Special performances will cater to the tastes of expatriates.Kunqu Opera arose around 600 years ago around Kunshan City near Suzhou in Jiangsu Province. In 2001 UNESCO listed it as a “masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity.”In recent years Kunqu Opera artists and enthusiasts have tried to innovate, adapt and make the opera more appealing and accessible to young people. This typically means condensing operas which could be performed for many hours.Taiwan writer and scholar Pai Hsien-yung has created successful adaptations of the classics “The Peony Pavilion” and “The Story of the Jade Hairpin.” They feature simple plot lines and spectacular stage settings.Zhang Jun, known as the “Kunqu Opera Prince,” has controversially fused New Age, jazz, electronic and rock’n’roll with traditional Kunqu Opera scores and presented “Peony Pavilion” in Kezhi Garden in suburban Zhujiajiao water town. 文件倉