In my previous post, Mahakala Dance, I promised that I would be doing a separate post on the King Gesar Dance which was also performed during the Wealth, Long Life & Wisdom Grand Puja in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia over last weekend.

While Mahakala Dance was performed by three dancers, King Gesar Dance was only performed by one dancer. I am sure both dances have their own significant meanings, though the meaning and story behind the dances are lost on me without having to seek Google’s help.

H.E. the IX Kyabje Drupka Choegon Rinpoche conducted this grand puja, which was held over last weekend (Saturday and Sunday 25th and 26th of April, 2009) for two full days at Tow Boo Keong Hall in Ipoh. Prior to this, he also conducted similar programmes in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru.

It’s too bad that these photos did not turn out too well. They seem pretty noisy, don’t they? The flash must have acted up AGAIN! It’s too bad that I wasn’t able to video these dances. They would make a great addition to what I have on YouTube.

I went to Ipoh Parade last evening again because according to the Kinta City program highlights, there would be the CNY Acrobatic Performance again. Well, as far as I know, last evening was the last performance, so if you missed it, too bad but you could still view the videos I shot, particularly of this very beautiful Chinese lady contortionist.

Ipoh Parade listed last evening’s show as “Chinese New Year Dance Show”. The sound system was pretty bad, I think they turned the volume overly loud or something, and all I caught was that these dancers were from Penang.

Since it was a “dance show”, all these four dancers did was dance, and wearing the same costumes in the few dances that they performed. Their ancient Chinese costumes remind meof TVB period dramas.

In fact, although I do not understand the stories that they tried to convey via their dances, I think the two guys were supposed to be Princes and the two ladies, lovely maidens. Mid-dance, the head gear of a Prince fell off and spoilt his regal look.

Although I like their gear and stuff, I felt that their dances were not engaging enough. We didn’t really know when a show started and when it ended. There were plenty of pauses between sets and there was once when the music stopped abruptly and so the dance ended abruptly as well.

Perhaps I’m to demanding but then these people aren’t performing for free, I believe, so they are obligated to provide a smoother performance. I think it’s quite a pity that there’s not a larger crowd here in Ipoh Parade. I think the emcee should prep up the crowd at least thirty minutes before the show, reminding us time and again that there WILL be entertainment at 8pm (sharp).

Here is a video I shot of one of the dances. I wish I had a better video camera!

I have been spending Friday, Saturday and also Sunday evenings in Kinta City for the past couple of weeks. I am trying to build my YouTube profile, you see.

Last evening, I was there to catch the Happy Prosperity CNY Dance which started at about 8pm and lasted for about 40 minutes. I wouldn’t say that the show was exceptionally good. What I was afraid of was actually watching the same shows that I watched on previous occasions in Kinta City because Happy Prosperity Chinese New Year Dance sure sounded like the children’s performance sometime back. I was glad that it wasn’t.

This performance was rather funny, especially when two guys wore face masks of clowns. I don’t know what the English name is, but he’s like a jester. You can sometimes see him in a dragon or lion dance as well, though he did not make an appearance in the lion or dragon dance in Kinta City during these pre-Chinese New Year performances.

The show kicked off with a dance by the four dancers, and then it was a song by three lovely ladies. They are also from the same dance school, actually. And their singing were lip-synced but that’s OK, we just wanted to see leng luis (hot chicks)! LOL I sort of felt awful for them when the sound system acted up and threw the ladies off their music performances.

I don’t remember too much but I think there were a total of three dances and three Chinese New Year songs performed. Towards the end, the two “clowns” handed out ang pows (red packets) to children in the audience. I thought I saw them giving ang pows (red packets) to adults as well. I think that nobody would know or even care if children went for a second (or third) helping!

Besides shooting these photos, I also took the chance to shoot videos. Like I said, I am trying to build my YouTube profile. Do check out the Gong Xi dance, ribbon dance and modern Chinese dance videos on YouTube.