Singapore Chinese New Year Photo Tour
- Dancers, Acrobats @ Chinatown

Watch the lion dances and acrobatics
2-3 weeks leading to Chinese New Year.

What: Free Street Performances as Part of Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations

Where: Kreta Ayer Square, Chinatown Singapore

When:
In 2008: 19 Jan 2008 - 6 Feb 2008
In 2009: 2-3 weeks leading up to 26 Jan 09

Related:
Chinatown Street Light Up: Jan 2009
Chinatown Night Market:
2-3 weeks leading up to 26 Jan 09

Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations in 2009 will begin 2-3 weeks leading up to 26 Jan 09. This is the best time to catch the street performances.

Here's some photos I took during the 2007 Chinese New Year celebrations at Kreta Ayer Square...

Chinatown Singapore - Fan dancers in vigorous motion, Singapore Chinese New Year. It is full house every night for 3 weeks during Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations.

These dancers from the Guangxi Nanning Song and Dance Troupe - a southern Chinese group - thrill the crowds no end.


 
Chinatown Singapore - Fan dancers from Nanning, China, during Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations. It is clear they have sent their bestest.

The girls not only look beautiful but also enchant the audience with their smooth, smooth moves.

Even umbrellas and fans look extraordinary in their hands.
 
Chinatown Singapore - Dancer from Nanning at Kreta Ayer Square, Singapore Chinese New Year. Of course, my lens finally zoomed in on one exceptional beauty, and my shutter couldn't stop clacking.

I mean, would you begrudge me taking a shot like this?

I think the news have got around - there were at least a dozen other photographers that night, all men.

All were scrambling to the edge of the stage and arching over. Ha! Photography is just an excuse.
 
Chinatown Singapore - Dancers during Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations, Kreta Ayer Square. Left, right. Left, right, left, left, right. They tease with their shoulders, their hands, their hips.

And Chinatown goes, "Wow!"
 
Chinatown Singapore - Energetic traditional dancer during Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations. This dancer goes spinning and flailing.  She whips the crowd up to loud applause.
 
Chinatown Singapore - Dancers in rhythm, Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations.
I was just wondering... Which ethnic group wears such scanty, body-hugging gear?
 
Chinatown Singapore - The Umbrella Dancers, Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations.
Then the dancers have a costume change and the atmosphere suddenly changes.

The girls come out looking modest in their qipao(旗袍) and carrying see-through umbrellas.
 
Chinatown Singapore - The Umbrella Dancers, Singapore Chinese New Year.
They become coy and elusive.
 
Chinatown Singapore - The Umbrella Dancers, Singapore Chinese New Year.
You can look at them, yet you cannot completely see them.

These girls know how to keep you on the edge of your seats.

There is something magical about Chinese New Year in Chinatown Singapore. You never know what they will come up with next.
 
Chinatown Singapore - Acrobat from Anhui, Singapore Chinese New Year.
Next to take centrestage are the acrobats from Anhui, China. Contortion is their game. Entertainment is their aim.

When you see someone bend like this, you wonder if she is really human.

Try this ourselves, and we'll never put them all together again...
 

Chinatown Singapore - Acrobats storeys! Singapore Chinese New Year. I almost dropped my camera!
 
Chinatown Singapore - Another awesome acrobatic display! Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations. Just what punishment did they go through to become sooo good? It would be amazing to see their training routines back home.
 
Chinatown Singapore - Multi-tasking acrobat during Singapore Chinese New Year. Some contort to thrill. Others, like this girl, multi-task to earn their keep.
 
Chinatown Singapore - Contorting, multi-tasking acrobat. Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations. A rare one or two can do both.
 
Chinatown Singapore - Acrobat doing astounding tricks. Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations. And just when you think there are no more tricks left in the bag...

this young lady balances 5 porcelain bowls on one leg and balances herself using her mouth only! Rapturous applause...

No wonder they all flock to Chinatown Singapore during the Chinese New Year Celebrations.

   

Singapore Chinese New Year Performances in 2009 - Tips for Tourists

You can watch these wonderful performances - free every night - during the 3 weeks leading to Chinese New Year. They are great stop points for your Chinese New Year shopping spree in Chinatown Singapore.

Related Singapore Chinese New Year Celebrations

Singapore Chinese New Year Shopping - Chinatown Night Markets

Chinese New Year Street Parade - Chingay 2008, Parade of Dreams

pointer Chinese New Year Carnival - River Hong Bao 2008

pointer Chinese New Year Fireworks 2008

pointer Sentosa Flowers Festival 2008

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National Day 2008
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