Friday October 2nd, Beijing
5:48pm
I have been in Beijing for about five days now, and have been so busy adjusting, rehearsing, sightseeing and sleeping, I have had trouble finding time to blog. Sorry for the long absence, there is much to catch up on.
Today is the day after China’s National Day, and though the celebrating will continue for another three days, the biggest spectacle has already happened. Yesterday the city basically shut down everywhere but Tian’anmen Square. To ensure that the parade and the fireworks were absolutely perfect, many precautions were taken. Most roads were closed, shops and restaurants were closed, airplanes shot rain-seeding pellets into the clouds to make it rain the night before, consequently ensuring a bright sunny day for the 1st. The airport was closed for three hours and our stage managers weren’t allowed to use radio communication. Most people weren’t allowed to see the parade in person; it is mostly for government officials and diplomats. Though it would have been amazing to see in person, what I did see of it on CCTV9 (China’s National News and Entertaiment broadcasting agency) was unlike anything I have witnessed before. There were hundreds of tanks rolling right next to the Forbidden City, thousands of people in perfect formations smiling, marching, and dancing their way down Dong Chang’an Avenue. The streets were empty around the hotel and theater, and it must have been because people were either in the parade or watching it at home on their TV’s.
We found this bus for an acrobatic company participating in the National Day celebrations. I think Ludmila would fit right in, don't you?
Last night was big not just for China. SF Ballet opened its run in Beijing!!! We performed our mixed-rep program for the last time in China. It was a fun show to do and the audience, many of them UN and Embassy workers, was very enthusiastic. It was nice to hear screaming and clapping again! I thought everyone danced beautifully and the only shame was the fact that we had to use a recording for the show.
Tonight we open with the first of our final two shows of Swan Lake in China. Yuan Yuan will dance tonight and Maria Kochetkova will dance tomorrow. This tour has been about flexibility and compromise, but the shows do go on and it has really been an experience to remember. I’m trying to look at the bright side and remember what a great opportunity this is, and it certainly reminds me of how great we have things back in San Francisco.
This is from when we were leaving Shanghai and waiting for instructions.
I have also been doing a little sightseeing, but I’ll be able to do more on Sunday and Monday (our free days). So far I have been to the OX Street Mosque and a Buddhist college down near the Summer Palace. It was a wonderful experience and totally devoid of tourists. In our three hours of exploring, we only saw one other tourist group, which was very friendly! I also had some of the best food I’ve had in China here in Beijing. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it was Russian food! I was at a really inexpensive Russian restaurant close to the hotel, and it was the most hearty and delicious food ever. A group of about 15 of us went, so I was able to try lots of different dishes. Who thought you’d have to go to China to get a perfect Piroshki?
We definitely make time for sightseeing. Ludmila and Kim look tiny next to this lion!
So far the coolest thing that has happened to me in China happened last Tuesday. There was a welcome reception thrown for the company at the St. Regis Hotel. It was just beautiful. The food was delicious; I finally got to try Peking Duck which was as mouthwatering as I hoped it would be. But even more exciting than the duck was getting to meet the newly appointed ambassador. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Jon Huntsman Jr., who was appointed to his new position by President Obama just a month ago. He and his wife couldn’t have been nicer, or more interested in ballet! The second youngest of their seven children was with them and she was the picture of perfect grace and poise. Did I mention she was seven? My parents would have been ecstatic if I had been even remotely that well-behaved at seven.
SFB dancers make friends everywhere they go!
Well, I have to head back to the theater for the show, but more later! We go to the Great Wall on Monday, so I will have much to report on.
People, Performances, and Piroshki
member of the corps de ballet
October 2, 2009
Friday October 2nd, Beijing
5:48pm
I have been in Beijing for about five days now, and have been so busy adjusting, rehearsing, sightseeing and sleeping, I have had trouble finding time to blog. Sorry for the long absence, there is much to catch up on.
Today is the day after China’s National Day, and though the celebrating will continue for another three days, the biggest spectacle has already happened. Yesterday the city basically shut down everywhere but Tian’anmen Square. To ensure that the parade and the fireworks were absolutely perfect, many precautions were taken. Most roads were closed, shops and restaurants were closed, airplanes shot rain-seeding pellets into the clouds to make it rain the night before, consequently ensuring a bright sunny day for the 1st. The airport was closed for three hours and our stage managers weren’t allowed to use radio communication. Most people weren’t allowed to see the parade in person; it is mostly for government officials and diplomats. Though it would have been amazing to see in person, what I did see of it on CCTV9 (China’s National News and Entertaiment broadcasting agency) was unlike anything I have witnessed before. There were hundreds of tanks rolling right next to the Forbidden City, thousands of people in perfect formations smiling, marching, and dancing their way down Dong Chang’an Avenue. The streets were empty around the hotel and theater, and it must have been because people were either in the parade or watching it at home on their TV’s.
We found this bus for an acrobatic company participating in the National Day celebrations. I think Ludmila would fit right in, don't you?
Last night was big not just for China. SF Ballet opened its run in Beijing!!! We performed our mixed-rep program for the last time in China. It was a fun show to do and the audience, many of them UN and Embassy workers, was very enthusiastic. It was nice to hear screaming and clapping again! I thought everyone danced beautifully and the only shame was the fact that we had to use a recording for the show.
Tonight we open with the first of our final two shows of Swan Lake in China. Yuan Yuan will dance tonight and Maria Kochetkova will dance tomorrow. This tour has been about flexibility and compromise, but the shows do go on and it has really been an experience to remember. I’m trying to look at the bright side and remember what a great opportunity this is, and it certainly reminds me of how great we have things back in San Francisco.
This is from when we were leaving Shanghai and waiting for instructions.
I have also been doing a little sightseeing, but I’ll be able to do more on Sunday and Monday (our free days). So far I have been to the OX Street Mosque and a Buddhist college down near the Summer Palace. It was a wonderful experience and totally devoid of tourists. In our three hours of exploring, we only saw one other tourist group, which was very friendly! I also had some of the best food I’ve had in China here in Beijing. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it was Russian food! I was at a really inexpensive Russian restaurant close to the hotel, and it was the most hearty and delicious food ever. A group of about 15 of us went, so I was able to try lots of different dishes. Who thought you’d have to go to China to get a perfect Piroshki?
We definitely make time for sightseeing. Ludmila and Kim look tiny next to this lion!
So far the coolest thing that has happened to me in China happened last Tuesday. There was a welcome reception thrown for the company at the St. Regis Hotel. It was just beautiful. The food was delicious; I finally got to try Peking Duck which was as mouthwatering as I hoped it would be. But even more exciting than the duck was getting to meet the newly appointed ambassador. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Jon Huntsman Jr., who was appointed to his new position by President Obama just a month ago. He and his wife couldn’t have been nicer, or more interested in ballet! The second youngest of their seven children was with them and she was the picture of perfect grace and poise. Did I mention she was seven? My parents would have been ecstatic if I had been even remotely that well-behaved at seven.
SFB dancers make friends everywhere they go!
Well, I have to head back to the theater for the show, but more later! We go to the Great Wall on Monday, so I will have much to report on.