Crosstalk club pushing traditional arts up north

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2016-03-02

Watching a show at the Tule Crosstalk Club, in Baotou. [Photo/Baotou Daily]

These days, the people in the city of Baotou have an alternative to just sitting around watching a movie, singing at a KTV joint, or going to the park – they can go to the Tule Crosstalk Club to enjoy this traditional performance at the first club of its kind in Baotou, and a trend setter in combining local elements in a new situation.

The club founders, Zhou Yu and Zhang Shaopu, were both born in the 80s but are passionate about crosstalk and opened the club after sensing a need for it, and opened a WeChat account to acquaint more people with it.

Performers at Tule Crosstalk Club, in Baotou. [Photo/Baotou Daily]

Zhou and Zhang say their next move is to localize their performances more and tailor them to the people of Baotou and bring them closer to this time-honored art form. So, crosstalk is now going from Beijing's Deyun troupe to Urumuqi's bazaar to Hohhot's teahouse and now Baotou's club, in search of more modern ways to display its charm.