Unique hair dance and string music exchange of the Tao people – a moving grassland concert for travelers in Orchid Island

Since 2013, the Le Xing Zhi Shi Orchestra has been performing in the "Grassland Concert" promoted by the Ministry of Culture, aiming to take music beyond indoor venues and limited audiences, and instead interact with the public outdoors. Having actively performed in rural areas for years, the orchestra has now held concerts in 27 remote regions. Jiang Jingbo, founder and conductor of Le Xing Zhi Shi, said: "The orchestra is like Taiwan’s musical ambassador. We hope to interact with villagers through outdoor concerts, spread the seeds of music, and inspire children in remote areas who have an interest and talent in music."

% During the ceremony, the children from the elementary school performed passionately on stage.

% The group also performed traditional songs and dances on-site.

The repertoire of Le Xing Zhi Shi ranged from the well-known "Spring" movement of Vivaldi’s "Four Seasons," "My Favorite Things" from the movie "The Sound of Music," the theme from Studio Ghibli’s "Castle in the Sky," to the hit song "Let It Go" from Disney’s "Frozen." As the evening sun set, the melodious music captivated the audience.

The performance by Yeyou Elementary School’s Little Flying Fish Cultural Performance Team showcased the unique lifestyle of Orchid Island’s Amis people through traditional music and dance. Pieces such as the women’s exclusive "Amis Hair Dance," the celebratory "Amis Harvest Work Dance," and the "Orchid Island Warrior Dance" were all splendid performances that continue tribal traditions.


▲ Group photo of Le Xing Zhi Shi and the audience. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi Yin)


▲ Group photo with Xu Qiu Huang, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture (third from right), Principal Zhong Min Hua of Yeyou Elementary School (second from right), Founder and Conductor Jiang Jingbo of Le Xing Zhi Shi (first from right), Soprano Xu Yihui (fourth from right), and members of the orchestra. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi Yin)

The "2015 Grassland Concert" toured various locations across Taiwan. In addition to the performance at Yeyou Elementary School in Orchid Island, there were eight other performances this year in Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. Each concert can be paired with a two-day-one-night itinerary from Eastern Travel, adding a musical feast to your trip. (Interested individuals can visit the Eastern Travel official website at www.etholiday.com or call 02-2777-3959 for more information.)


▲ The grassland concert delivers beautiful melodies outdoors, bringing happiness and inspiration to remote communities. (Photo / Reporter Chen Zi Yin)

2015 Grassland Concert
September 12 (Saturday) 15:30 Main Stage, South Green Heart, Tainan
September 13 (Sunday) 15:30 Namasia Junior High School, Kaohsiung
October 3 (Saturday) 15:30 Xihu Sugar Refinery, Changhua
October 4 (Sunday) 15:30 Zi Park, Douliu, Yunlin