April 6 Concert in Beijing!
Ed. Today’s edition of Xinhua News announces that Dylan is giving a concert in Beijing. Unfortunately, world famous artist, Ai Wai Wai, will not be able to attend as he is in prison for casting aspersions on the good intentions of the oligarchy.
from Inquirer.Net, 3/12/2011: BEIJING – China’s culture ministry has confirmed American music legend Bob Dylan will be allowed to play in Beijing, the first time in the singer’s illustrious career he will have performed in the country.
Click for more on the imprisonment of WeiWei.
The ministry said in a brief statement that Dylan — the writer of some of rock’s most iconic and politically charged songs — must perform “strictly according to an approved program”.
Dylan will be allowed to play in Beijing from March 30 to April 12, the ministry said, without mentioning if the singer would also be granted permission to perform in Shanghai.
Beijing-based promoters Gehua-LiveNation said last week that Dylan, who turns 70 in May, would play in the capital’s Workers’ Gymnasium on April 6 and then hold a concert at the Shanghai Grand Stage in on April 8.
The concerts were timed to mark Dylan’s 50 years as a performer, the promoters said.
The news comes a year after a Taiwan promoter said its bid to take Dylan to China was scuttled after the Beijing government refused to approve shows by the performer.
Dylan is best known for the politically-inspired songs of his early career, including “The Times They Are A-Changin'” and his anti-war anthem “Blowin’ in the Wind”.