Features
The Commies They Are A Changin’
There was a time when communist countries banned Bob Dylan’s music. Now they’re anticipating his concerts.
Dylan’s China dates grabbed headlines during the past couple of weeks with news that his appearances in the communist country – April 6 in Beijing at the Workers Gymnasium and April 8 in Shanghai at Peoples Grand Stage – would have to be cleared by the government’s Ministry Of Culture. The office charged with protecting the Chinese from anything resembling free expression finally cleared Dylan’s performances late last week.
But China isn’t the only “red” country on Mr. Dylan’s travel calendar. Vietnam will host the Bard of Minnesota April 10 at RMIT University in Ho Chi Minh City. Considering that many of Dylan’s 1960s songs were associated with the anti-Vietnam War movement, his upcoming appearance in the city previously known as Saigon will probably generate more than a few surreal moments.
Like in China, Dylan’s upcoming Vietnam performance apparently had to be cleared by that country’s cultural ministry. But a representative of the promoters behind the concert told news service AFP that the ministry had green-lighted the show.
Tickets are expected to cost approximately $50, which is a little less than most Vietnamese make in a month.
Photo: Bobby Talamine / SkipTheDial.com
Riviera Nightclub, Chicago, Ill.