Bar Street revelers make wishes

“THE year 2008 will be better than 2007 and 2009 will be better than 2008,” Gary Kirby, an Englishman who has lived in Zhuhai for five years, made his wish at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

“Health and a happy family. Wish all the family to be happy!” Ann, Gary’s mother who came from England to visit, expressed her New Year wish. Gary’s father, David, added, “Happy and healthy!”

“Wealth and happiness, good health for everybody, and love -- whole lot of love,” Daniel M Kryzanowski, who came from the US to visit his friend in Zhuhai, made his wish.

Katie McCombe, from England, stated: “My wish for the New Year is I’ll find a man who loves me.”

Klaus Porath, CEO of Proflex Plastic Technology (Zhuhai FTZ), said, “I wish all the best for my family and all my friends.”

“Peace around the world, health and love for everybody,” Briton Vonessa Espinoza wished.

Simone Xue, principal of American TPR English School, said his wish is for “a harmonious community.”

“Higher pay, lower price and good health,” a Chinese man holding a child, cast in his New Year wish.

More than 100 expatriates and Chinese gathered at Rude Bar, Gongbei, drinking and dancing to hail the New Year last Monday night. A group of young women in fancy dress walked through the crowds and greeted people with, “Happy New Year!”

Anne and David Kirby were dancing closely while in front of the counter, a number of expatriates danced without reservations.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people watched performances and hailed the New Year at Bar Street Leisure & Culture Square, Gongbei, while throngs gathered at bars along the street, eating and drinking.

Sponsored by Bar Street Management Co Ltd, the series of performances including singing, dancing, and Latin dance, magic and stilt walking shows were staged. The huge background board on stage reflected a New Year countdown and expectations for a dynamic 2008. The audience, men and women, young and old, formed a big semicircle in front of the stage and the dance floor below.

Strands of glistening tiny orange lights hung in rows over the 300-metre street and lamps illuminated trees along the road. The street was flooded with light in and outside bars. Diners as well as drinkers sat at tables, enjoying the last night of 2007.

A wooden shed and a castle made up of steel and LED lights had been constructed near a fountain, creating an attractive scene of motion in quiescence. Many people took photos in front of the shed and the castle.

A man surnamed Huang performed Peking Opera on stage, changing masks and magic tricks, which was followed by a sound show imitating birds, poultry and a motorcycle. His performance was highly acclaimed. A young man and woman stunned viewers with a brilliant, professional samba in the dance area, arousing waves of applause. A 7-year-old girl demonstrated her high-challenging acrobatic skills and softness of her limbs.

Two stilt walkers with makeup and in costumes catered to the audience, especially children who were eager to have pictures taken with them. In addition, Huang, a make-up artist, painted the last strokes of a phoenix on the bare back and legs of a young woman on stage and showed her around the audience. The spectacular, vivid painting on skin astonished the viewers in the cold, which was reported to be 8c that night.

The countdown came with the last five minutes of the old year. “Five, four, three, two, one!” With the last count, a vigourous, brilliant burst of cold fireworks from both sides of the street ushered in the New Year. People greeted each other with “Happy New Year” and exchanged wishes excitedly. Bar Street, crammed with vehicles and people, was lit up by zeal at the turn of the calendar.

He Jie, marketing manager of Bar Street Management Co Ltd, explained that they spent more than 100,000 yuan ($13,514) constructing the square, decorating the street and organizing the performances in an attempt to enhance the popularity of Bar Street. A year-old management and service company, it expects far more than collecting rents from the bars, He said. “We want the bars to have thriving business and we want them to know we’re helping them to achieve this,” she added.

The company plans to promote bar street in Guangzhou and countrywide, He revealed. They will introduce renowned brands to the street and set up chain outlets in other areas of the Pearl River Delta or the country, she said.