Hong Kong Buskers Bow, Life & Culture



[ad_1]

March Jul 31, 2018 – 5:50 AM

Hong Kong

The rumbustious street performers who have long claimed one of Hong Kong's busiest shopping districts as their informal scene took their last bow Sunday evening after local The authorities yielded to noise complaints about their legendary cacophony.

Under the glow of Mong Kok's famous neon signs, entertainers have been entertaining crowds – and irresistible neighbors – for nearly two decades on Sai Yeung Choi South Street. Over the years, a motley mix consisting of an acrobat in his sixties who performs stunts for Michael Jackson and karaoke groups surrounded by fans clapping on plastic stools has allowed songs to sparkle music amplifiers .

Drawing cheers and dismay too, street artists received 320 noise complaints in only the first half of the year, according to polite local media reported 1,200 complaints last year

. The pedestrian zone will be completely abolished and will reopen to traffic from 4 August.

But some will be relieved that the cap is removed, others fear In 1965, official attempts to oust uneded peddlers sparked some of the city's worst clashes for decades as protesters took advantage of the An opportunity to express their anger against them. The decreasing autonomy of Hong Kong

Before the closure of the busking zone, flake-clad groups, elderly men and women dancing cha-cha, and "singing aunts" from mainland China – who have joined the pack over the years. the discontent of some locals – came out over the weekend.

The last days of the pedestrian band have also attracted high profile artists such as actor Bobby Yip, who visited Saturday and was instantly recognizable with his discolored cut hair.

"It's like a nightclub for ordinary people … I hope the government will support this street culture," he told the local newspaper Apple Daily [19659006Butresidentsandneighboringtraderssaidtheconstantcacophonysometimesgavethemaheadache"GabrielWaiwholivesintheareatoldtheSouthChinaMorningPost

The local district council passed a motion in May to scrap the area. who has been playing in the area for a few years, said the group could move to Causeway Bay Times Square or Tsim Sha Tsui – also busy shopping areas for tourists and shoppers.

Drummer Miss Cheng of the group told local news site HK01 that she was sad about the dissolution of the busker community as the performers could become more interactive with the Mong Kok audience.

"Maybe we would only bring guitars (over there), because the transport is less not so strong," she said of the new locations AFP

[ad_2]
Source link