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...
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Left,
right. Left, right, left, left, right. They tease with their shoulders,
their hands, their hips. And Chinatown goes, "Wow!" |
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This
dancer goes spinning and flailing. She whips the crowd up to
loud applause. |
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I was
just wondering... Which ethnic group wears such scanty, body-hugging
gear? |
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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. |
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They become coy and elusive. |
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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. |
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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... |
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I almost dropped my camera! |
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Just what punishment did they go through to become sooo good? It would be amazing to see their training routines back home. |
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Some contort to thrill. Others, like this girl, multi-task to earn their keep. |
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A rare one or two can do both. |
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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 TouristsYou 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
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