The Year of the Dragon is a significant year in Asian tradition: the dragon is sacred and symbolizes strength, luck and new beginnings. Throughout Asia and also in the U.S., cities are preparing for this important time of year with much fanfare and celebration—this is especially true in Los Angeles’ most unique historic district, LA Chinatown. LA Chinatown hosts one of the largest New Year celebrations in the country with more than 125,000 attendees convening in the district for the weekend-long celebration.

LA Chinatown kicks off the Year of the Dragon the weekend of January 28 – 29, 2012, beginning with the 113th Annual Golden Dragon Parade. Attendees can enjoy hundreds of spectacular floats, decked-out cars, dancers and bands as they parade down the heart of Chinatown. This year’s Grand Marshals include Disney’s Mulan and Mushu and international bestselling author Lisa See whose book ‘Snow Flower and the Secret Fan’ was adapted into a movie in 2011.

The Chinese New-Year Festival gets underway following the parade with cultural performances by some of the nation’s best Chinese acts, children’s activities and hands-on cultural workshops. LA Craft Experience (LACE), LA’s premier artist’s market will feature over 40 local vendors, offering shoppers a truly unique shopping experience.

Attendees can expect to nosh on traditional Chinese cuisine offered at many Chinatown restaurants as well as non-traditional dishes offered by food vendors and some of LA’s hottest gourmet food trucks. Additionally, the wildly popular show ‘Cupcake Wars’ will be on hand with 1,000 Chinese New Year-themed cupcakes for people to enjoy.

There are two festival sites with entertainment stages at each: 727 N. Hill Street on Sat., Jan. 28 ^, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Central Plaza at 943-951 N. Broadway on Sat., Jan. 28 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sun., Jan. 29 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The 113th Annual Golden Dragon Parade is on Sat., Jan. 28 beginning at 1 p.m.

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Fuerza Bruta, the new variety show from the Argentine creators of the long-running De La Guarda, is succeeding in Madrid, Spain at the Price Circus after its release on 11 October. This success was expected, since its premiere in 2005 at Buenos Aires, Argentina, the show has travelled across New York, London, Lisbon, Bogota, Miami and showed at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, achieving, according to the producers, “amazing reviews and excellent audience opinions.”

Hundreds of people have watched and experienced the sounds and sights and the attendance numbers have only gone up since it premiered. “Fantastic show. Hard to describe it. You just have to go.”

Created by Diqui James, Fuerza Bruta – or translated from Spanish Brute Force — is not part of the usual theater genre. In fact, some Spanish media have categorized it as the kind of theater that people who don´t really like theater would like.

From the very beginning, you will not know what to expect. The performance area is huge, dark, and mysterious, playing with your imagination and curiosity. One of the scene’s most impressive installments is a massive shallow plastic pool where four female performers are splashing around like mermaids. This big pool descends from above to the audience who are standing throughout the entire spectacle. A very helpful suggestion for female patrons would be to wear shoes that they won’t get too uncomfortable in!

During the Fuerza Bruta, the audience is expected to participate in the performance. Be prepared for both voluntary and involuntary involvement as the performers will grab and bring people on stage or engage their spectators in other ways. You can get wet, or you could have a pizza box stuffed with powder and confetti thrown over your head. For this reason, we recommend that you dress casual and think twice before spending hours in front of the mirror; this evening is not likely to come before a night on the town.

The stunning visuals, great music, energetic dancers and the audience participation creates a show which is bound to challenge your mind. You’re also encouraged to touch the set, which is a pretty rare opportunity compared to similar shows.

Fuerza Bruta ends its stay in Madrid this Sunday and unfortunately, so far the production has not announced their next destination. Either way, at Toonari Post, we believe this would be a ‘must-see’ for all. It’s an interesting and fun experience that will introduce you to an hour of incredible alternate reality.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jairomag/3746988566/

The article “Fuerza Bruta” Succeeds in Spain, Madrid at the Price Circus appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.