In contrast to professional art performances, mass music shows or festivals often bring together ‘core’ grassroots artists who deeply impress audience members with their rustic yet exciting performances. These amateur music artists perform with confidence thanks to their passion for music and their determination to challenge themselves despite not being undergone professional  training.

A dance performance was one of the arts performances which were methodically prepared by participating units at the 2023 Da Nang Mass Arts Festival for employees, workers, and contractors. Photo: T.Y

Stimulating creativity

Having a powerful voice and the ability to sing well, Mr. Nguyen Huu Thanh Tra, who works for the Da Nang Liwayway Food Industry Co.,Ltd, is invited on stage to sing in entertainment events. Performing at his home ground helps him sing with confidence and showcase his vocal skills. However, he was so shaken and nervous when his company introduced him to participate in the 2023 Da Nang Mass Arts Festival for employees, workers, and contractors.

To prepare for his singing and dancing performance program called ‘Nam Quoc Son Ha’ to participate in the Da Nang Mass Arts Festival for employees, workers, and contractors which took place in October 2023, he and other members of the troupe had practiced singing and dancing very hard since early April last year. It was a busy yet very happy time for him and his colleagues as they together stayed at the company to practice for their music performance after finishing the workday.

“We practiced for our music performance at the festival thrice a week. At first, we asked for help from a dance instructor who taught us the dance moves, but then we started our own practice with the hope that we would perform in a more professional manner while participating in the festival. Even though I was so well prepared, to be honest, I was still so nervous as this is first time I have performed on the ‘Big Stage’," Mr. Tra recalled.

Like Mr. Tra, many trade union members and employees, workers and contractors have the opportunity to show off their artistic talents at amateur music and dance competitions and festivals. In these events, armature singers and artists got a big round of applause to help them perform with confidence. Many participating units even carried banners and slogans to encourage their amateur artists to confidently showcase their talent. This joyful and vibrant atmosphere can not be seen in any professional arts performance programs.

As a judge of many mass art festivals, musician Tran Ai Nghia, the former Chairman of the Da Nang Music Association, highlighted the vitality of the mass art movement in the city as effective and successfully movement will bring material and spiritual benefits to employees, workers and contractors, and local residents as a whole.

In particular, the judges and fans, along with armature artists and organizers of the festival feel the atmosphere of joy and happiness which has been the highlight of the city’s mass art movement over the past nearly 50 years.

Each mass art performance program has seen enthusiasm and efforts of armature artists. Many of them have confidently showcased their talent with musical performances in their local residential areas after participating in such an event.

Musician Tran Ai Nghia assessed that recent times have seen positive changes in the mass art festivals or shows with remarkable improvements in the artistry of each performance in a professional manner.

“As a judge for many mass art festivals and shows, I was quite surprised with thorough preparation of amateur artists for their performances. In particular, amateur singers have a good stage presence, thereby blurring the lines between professional and amateur art programs, as well as stimulating creativity among amateur artists in recent years.

Being an integral part of spiritual life

The Da Nang Labour Federation which has extensive experience organizing dozens of mass art shows and festivals for employees, workers and labourers, aims to improve the quality of cultural and spiritual life for trade union members, as well as create a vibrant competitive atmosphere for them.

The Da Nang Labour Federation Vice Chairwoman Dinh Thi Thanh Ha commented that in recent times, mass art programs have become an indispensable part of the musical life of workers.

“From these programs, we discovered many ‘core’ grassroots armature artists who performed and showcased their talent with confidence," Mrs. Ha aded.

Sharing the same opinion as Mrs. Ha, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nhung, the Director of the Da Nang Labour Culture House, acknowledged significant improvements of  the mass art movement in a more professional and diverse manner to make musical performances more attractive.

It can be said that the rustic yet skillful performances of amateur artists have helped make mass music shows and festivals more attractive to audience. Along with that, the improved quality of mass music shows and festivals has attributed to  great efforts of amateur artists, along with enthusiasm and dedication of the program's producers, script writers and some professional artists. All these factors will help bring good, creative and artistic performances to mass music shows and festivals.

Reporting by TIEU YEN – translating by H.L