World-class Taiwanese American cellist Kenneth Kuo is among a diverse group of musicians who performed at a special concert ahead of Taipei Pride 2024.
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00:00On an instrument with well over three centuries of history, Taiwanese-American cellist Kenneth
00:16Guo warms up for an important performance.
00:20This is a Andrea Guarneri from Cremona in 1676.
00:26This is 100 years before the U.S., you know, independence.
00:31Among the most celebrated classical musicians around, Guo was the first cellist to perform
00:36in the New York Mets baseball stadium.
00:49Guo was even invited to play for President Lai Ching-te at his inauguration in May.
00:54I brought him a CD and he was so curious about this.
00:58I've never seen anybody so curious about my CD before, you know, nonetheless the president
01:03of Taiwan.
01:17Now back in Taipei, Guo is preparing for a very different kind of show.
01:32He's taking the stage with his cousin and event organiser, Ben Liao, mixing classical,
01:37pop and musical theatre at a special diversity-themed show ahead of Asia's biggest pride event.
01:44Guo himself isn't queer, but recognises the importance of being an ally.
02:00Being able to play next to him and to support the LGBTQ community, it's such a privilege,
02:07you know, and music has no sexuality and no preference.
02:13Accompanying Guo, world-class classical musicians Matthew Cogney and Arturo Del Mone, performing
02:19for the first time in Taiwan.
02:28There's a big star system in the States that doesn't quite exist in these other places.
02:34The other places, as long as the music is good, people will go.
02:38Also on stage, Craig Daniels and Frances Bowers, known collectively as Two Tons of
02:43Fun, a South African duo who often sing at LGBTQ plus events in Taipei.
03:00We are able to bring that to a foreign country, but also be able to break down barriers in
03:06terms of diversity, you know, a lot of movements have started with songs.
03:10Reflecting the diversity of the queer and straight communities, the performers here
03:15are all united in celebrating differences, through a range of musical styles and from
03:20a broad spectrum of artists, all coming together in harmony.
03:25Organiser Ben Liao, a gay man himself, wanted to make the event as inclusive as possible.
03:31We do have a lot of songs are about trying to be yourself and a lot of songs, musicians
03:38are also different sexual orientations.
03:42So I think tonight the show is just perfect for this Pride weekend.
03:48This event embodies Taipei Pride 2024's theme of embracing inclusion, reminding audiences
03:55that there's much more that connects us than sets us apart.
03:58Howard Cheung and Rhys Ayres for Taiwan Plus.