Saturday in the park with ChaCha

And what happens in that Long Corridor? Well, performances of various kinds. Who needs a National Theatre Building when you can see this for free in the park if you're a Beijinger or for the price of admission to the park (about 45 cents) if you're not?

Yes, the above is a man in drag. Much of  Peking Opera was performed by men in dresses, but in the last century or so, there are whole operas in which women take all the parts! I caught bits and pieces of one when Cal was channel-surfing one night and it actually captured my imagination. So, we thought we'd go, but when we found out it would cost close to $30, we passed. And then I wandered down to Temple of Heaven Park and got an equally entertaining performance.

I loved her spangly princess outfit with the sunglasses. And the older ladies with the fluffy fans.

These people are not professionals...nobody pays them to do this stuff. They don't have to audition or rent a hall. They just come out and DO IT!
These gals are spinning handkerchiefs. Very pretty. All to the beat of a small drum and the tune of miked harmonicas.
Then, further down, there was this musical extravaganza. He really had a terrific voice and there was a whole chorus of fellows along the back wall belting it out with him. Loud!
Or, you can just play cards. Lots of that. Enthusiastic and dramatic, too.