The Chinese show was split into 2 sections, the pre-show, which was more informal and ran alongside workshops for children, and the show itself.
The pre-show, as I said above was informal and free for cost. The were several workshops running alongside, including writing Chinese characters, practising using Chopsticks, and symmetrical paper cutting. The acts in the show tended to be dance or song.
The show itself was more formal, taking place in the main room of the Town Hall. There were multiple acts, kind of like a circus and most of them included acrobatics or dancing. In between each act they told us a bit about the days of the Chinese New Year celebration. The music was a mix between traditional and modern.
Here is a list of the performances:
The Pre-Show:
Hello New Year Dance by Star Mandarin School
Wu style Tai Chi by Yiyuan
Saxophone Playing by Jiangnan
Dance by Danniel Walsh
On Top of the Eastern Mountain Song by Yu Qiming
Lock Dance by Meow
Farewell My Love Dance by Chu Xue
New House of Flying Daggers on Pipa by Ma Wei
Health Qigong Ba Duan Jin by Iris Mateev
Pull Silk Drama Song by Miao Ling
16 Form Tai Chi by Iris Mateev
The Love Of Nature Tibetan Dance by Gong Wa and La Mu Cuo
Wings You Are The Hero by Double Fingering Guitarists
Tai Chi Rouliball by Wang Xuan Xuan
The Show:
Lion Dance by Sheffield Lion Dance Team
Watching a Play by Wanlin Academy Children
Body Sculpture by Zhao Teng and Zhang Jun
Girls Contortion by Jin Meng et al
Waterside Beauties by Wanlin Academy Dance Troupe
Dai Girls on a Rainy Day by Wanlin Academy Children
Hat Juggling by Zhang Jun et al
Rolling Plates by Ren Xiaoying et al
Wild Geese by Wanlin Academy Dance Troupe
Hand Juggling by Zhang Jun et al
Diablo by Ren Xiaoying et al
Blissful Memories by Wanlin Academy Dance Troupe
Face Changing by Zhuo Yu-gang
Of the two shows, I liked the main show best. The acts were amazing and I was impressed with how even when it went wrong the other artist compensated for it. My favorite act was Body Sculpture because of the great contortion the men did. At the shows I heard more examples of the music and I will use those to make ideas for my composition.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience because it showed me cultural dances and music that I otherwise wouldn’t have experienced first-hand.
Nice you went to the Chinese Near Year show. Hope you had a good time there.