Seldom has any discussion on the 2008 Beijing Olympics, in media and otherwise, happened without the mention of China's national stadium, the Bird's Nest. Such is its enormity, both in the literal sense and symbolically. So, when the Chinese mega star and kungfu expert, Jackie Chan announced that he and his friends would be staging the first-ever commercial concert at the Bird's Nest during the May Day holidays, a buzz was bound to be created.
Post-Olympics, Bird's Nest has already been getting its share of limelight. Like for instance on the day of the Earth Hour when the stadium went without lights. But Chan's concert would pale every other Bird's Nest event into insignificance, except of course, the Olympics opening ceremony.
The event that Chan and his friends would be presenting at the stadium is called "Descendents of the Dragon: Jackie Chan and Friends", which Chan was quoted as saying, "would be a clean and environment-friendly concert, and I have told the sponsors that no fireworks should be lit. We want to make it a common but marvelous concert with no trash left in the Bird's Nest when it is over, not even a water bottle or a counterfoil stub."The post card form ticket this time is different from the usual pattern.
Chinese actor and singer Jackie Chan attend a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, April 1, 2009. He will hold a live concert with his friends in the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest' here this May. (Xinhua) Excited Beijingers are already likening post-Olympic phase of Bird's Nest to the "second season", a term commonly used for the return of popular reality TV shows on television. This 450 million US dollar, 91,000-seat stadium, which hosted the opening and closing ceremonies and track and field events during the Olympics last year, has not found significant use since the games ended.
Actually, the debate on who will be the first fortunate person to hold commercial event at the Bird's Nest, has never actually waned. This discussion notwithstanding, one thing is certain and that is, popular demand will shape up the future of Bird's Nest.
Bird's Nest was designed for use throughout the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Located in the Olympic Green, the world's largest steel structure kicked off the construction in 2003. The design, which originated from the study of Chinese ceramics, implemented steel beams, giving the stadium the appearance of a "Bird's Nest".
Chinese singer Song Zuying (L) and Taiwan pop singer Jay Chou leave their handprint during a press conference of Song's concert in Beijing, capital of China, April 18, 2009. Song Zuying, one of the best young singers in China, will hold her vocal concert on June 30 this year at the the "Bird's Nest" -- the national stadium. World renowned Spanish tenor Placido Domingo, Taiwan pop icon Jay Chou and Chinese keyboard talent Lang Lang will be the guests performers by then.(Xinhua) In 2008, after seven years' preparation, China fulfilled its promise and presented the world with a splendid Olympics. As the holy fire went out at the top of the Bird's Nest and the Olympic zeal gradually waned, China entered the so-called Post-Olympic era. As early as October 2008, when the first charity concert was scheduled, plans were already in the pipeline for the Bird's Nest to start recouping its costs. According to an event organizer, Korean star Rain, Taiwanese diva A-Mei and R&B prince Jay Chou have already expressed interest.
In fact, Jay Chou is going to be a part of another mega concert "2009 Glamor, China"in Bird's Nest due on June 30, 2009. This will be a "dream band"consisting of Song Zuying, Plácido Domingo, Lang Lang and Jay Chou.
Some newspapers reported that area around the stadium would be turned into a shopping and entertainment complex in three to five years.
As a symbol of China's rising power and confidence, media once predicted that it is hard for Bird's Nest to recover its hefty construction cost, particularly amid a global financial crisis. Among others, maintenance of the structure alone costs 60 million yuan (about 8.8 million U.S. dollars) annually, making it difficult to turn a profit.
However, commercial operators of the Bird's Nest disclosed that the tickets income from tourists each day has almost made ends meet. A visiting ticket costs 50 yuan (about 7 U.S. dollars).
Amid questions about the venue's future after its centerpiece role in the Beijing Olympics, movie icon Jackie Chan and other stars' performance at the massive Bird's Nest stadium sets a good example.
Chan has promised he would reserve some low cost tickets so as to let more friends join in the party. Of course, there are some expensive tickets, which Chan said, "many of his friends have bought".
Jackie Chan's concert may be a small step but it is a good start and in the right direction.
Source: Global Times
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