The London School of Samba returned this week from Hong Kong triumphant after putting on a spectacular show in Hong Kong for the Chinese New Year celebrations. The festival, with the theme of ‘World City, World Party’ hosted guests from the Czech Republic, United States, Peru, Japan, Thailand and Korea. The group of 40 dancers and drummers participated in the Night Parade last Thursday, starting in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, along the parade route through Central Hong Kong. In addition as part of the celebrations, LSS also took part in several stage shows for the Well Wishing Festival, held in Tai Po.
In its 16th year, brought to us by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, along with the support of Cathay Pacific as title sponsor for the 13th consecutive year, the parade was graced by the presence of Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Mr John Tsang, who launched the event in the company of HKTB Chairman Mr James Tien, Commissioner for Tourism Mr Philip Yung, and Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific, Mr Tony Tyler.
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Mestre Fred said of the trip: ‘This was an incredible experience, the hospitality we were shown was beyond words. It was a fantastic opportunity to bring our show to a new part of the world that may not have seen or heard of samba previously. We look forward to future visits again.’ This was the first visit by the London School of Samba to Asia. We are now looking forward to the International Samba Festival in Coburg, Germany in July, as well as a large list of appearances around London throughout the summer.