The single most influential event to the Chinese people of York - the celebration of the Chinese New Year was on Friday 30th January. The night included award winning performances including acrobatics, Beijing Opera, Kung fu and the majestic lion dance showed the traditional way to celebrate the lunar New Year in China. The east-west mingling in music was be another shining point on the night. Presented by York Chinese Students and Scholars Association.
The Northern Lion Dance team - the four times champions, along with the runners up in 2008, got the night off to a colourful and traditional start. First starting on the stage with a traditional awakening of the Lions, followed by a trip into the audience to meet the crowd which included the Mayor of York and his Lady Wife. Then back onto the stage to fight and eat the lettuce, before distributing it to the audience.
Later in the evening the some of the Harrogate Lau Gar Kung Fu members, along with some from The Blackburn & Keighley Club put on a Kung Fu demonstration of weapon and open handed set work for the packed house:
- Lau Gar Tiger Fork Form - Stuart Agars
- Shaolin Dragon Sword & Chen Halberd ? Dave Eccles
- Bac Pye Jurn ? Jason Hacking
- Lau Gar Darn Dao Knife Form ? Carl Syres
- Lau Gar Luk Hap Kuen ? Jose Williamson
A third appointment of the night between all the colourful and numerous other acts brought David Eccles and Stuart Agars on stage to demonstrate their Chi Gung skills by having two large pavement slabs broken on their stomachs with a Sledge Hammer, whilst resting only on their heads and feet across two chairs. The gasps from the audience and the massive round of applause showed the crowds loved the excitement and danger of the spectacle.
This one is slightly long overdue being posted...Jonathan Cooke recieving his White Sash from Sifu Suart Agars and Sifu Nathan Beer. Well done Jonathan!
