London Chinese New Year Celebrations 2012

[sanmenxia]

I went to the London Chinese New Year show in Trafalgar Square just to see a guqin performance. the whole thing started at 12 but I didn't know what time the guqin players will be on, I now know I should have checked.

It was so crowded I couldn't see a thing so I went off somewhere else for a bit and went back at around 3 when there was more breathing space. Someone told me the qin players haven't been on yet.

I couldn't face having to watch yet another dance routine (to modern pumping rock pop beats) or another martial arts act, or more of the mindless and tedious banter between the two hosts, so I left at about 4.30pm. And I missed what I went to see! I thought they cancelled the guqin or something, but they finally came on at about 4.50pm, folllowed by a performance of Jasmine Flower on trad instruments.

Most of the show was dance:





There was an erhu performance, which I missed. The person who took the photo didn't remember the player's name or if it was announced, but she looks a bit like Ma Xiaohui.




The guqin performace


Jasmine flower

[edcat7]

I'm glad the new year celebrations had extended to Trafalgar Square. In years past the lion dances were only restricted to Gerrard Street. The bottom picture I recognise Cheng Yu on the pipa and my teacher, Li Ming is holding a dizi?

Is that Charlie in the bower hat?

[sanmenxia]

I think the main stage has been in Trafalgar Square for quite a few years now, I'm not sure as I don't usually go.

The area around Gerrard St was jammed solid with people. You could hear the lion dance but unless you're right next it you won't see anything.

Here's a view of Trafalgar Sq from the St Martins-in-the-Fields church, looking at an angle across the square, the stage is under the green arrow.

[xindi]

it looks incredible. I haven't experienced Lunar New Year in London for years. Surprised at how big the celebration has become over here. One year, I saw chinese lanterns all the way across Oxford Street. That was really impressive - just the acknowledgement (rather than resentment) of another culture.