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Asian Idol aspirations
By RENATO GANDIA, SUN MEDIA
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$ D- Z: F. V2 v3 I( z {Quintin Wang's chances of capturing the first Edmonton Asian Idol title are pretty good.
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2 c9 m& E1 l( PThe 35-year-old earned the highest audition marks yesterday, and only 35 contestants auditioned all weekend for 15 semifinal spots.4 t- Q; R5 L; q% j! n$ [* V1 Q6 u
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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& b" J( H5 ]" kLong, 33, prefers to compete alongside her husband. But she said she agreed to compete separately so they would have two chances at nabbing the $500 prize.
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And besides, she's enjoying herself.
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"Music is fantastic," she said yesterday. "If you have it in your life, it will be bright. You will be happy."* W: ~' B1 A3 i: }
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In spite of the scant showing of idol wannabes yesterday and Saturday at West Edmonton Mall, organizers said it's been a great opportunity for unknown and undiscovered singing sensations to gain exposure.
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7 H' D* q( O6 N1 a: ?; ]Spokesman Lan Chan-Marples admitted the singing competition wasn't widely promoted, but many young singers took interest and spread the word through Facebook.4 T, [5 V5 `" D
' Q; F: R/ t$ j+ M7 ZKazumi 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.
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" u" U: d9 B3 D E8 t" C"When I came to Canada, I didn't have these opportunities," Wu said.7 z8 X" V6 ]8 O+ w
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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.
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