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Asian Idol aspirations
By RENATO GANDIA, SUN MEDIA
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! g# e( Z. z N- u+ `2 Q" L* ~Quintin Wang's chances of capturing the first Edmonton Asian Idol title are pretty good., N. Z0 i. l" I8 O
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The 35-year-old earned the highest audition marks yesterday, and only 35 contestants auditioned all weekend for 15 semifinal spots.
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8 p* ]% J* ^( b) b" S$ WBut 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.1 L. } I$ a/ X5 o" T: D; ~% i% g. V4 a
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Long, 33, prefers to compete alongside her husband. But she said she agreed to compete separately so they would have two chances at nabbing the $500 prize.
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And besides, she's enjoying herself.
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"Music is fantastic," she said yesterday. "If you have it in your life, it will be bright. You will be happy."+ q& `, f V4 a" f. |: ^. H& X
+ x2 H: o" b1 P. C$ S wIn 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.' ]' h1 U+ d- Y! b: f' e3 `0 _
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Spokesman Lan Chan-Marples admitted the singing competition wasn't widely promoted, but many young singers took interest and spread the word through Facebook.8 ]" t% r" b5 X4 M* X- O
0 x" W0 K W1 _. Q n* C1 WKazumi 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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+ K; Y4 l" s h% Q, X+ b. a"When I came to Canada, I didn't have these opportunities," Wu said.
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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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