Lazy morning, Empire show and Chinese parade

Sunday 17th February woke up 7ish but went back to sleep til 8.30 and eventually got up at 9ish only because next door neighbour knocking as wanted to come on our land to get his olives. Was hoping after he had collected them he might donate some to us but unfortunately our luck was not in today. I had a lazy morning still felt tired most of day but at least not hungover Jen came round after work to find out how our night was and maybe go to trop fest at botanical gardens. At this point Bianca still not home she eventually got in at 2ish and Steve dropped her off and he even cooked her breakfast. Only thing is Bianca wasn't that sure about him as younger than her and she said you could tell he was young. We then went to Coles for a few things cheese and crackers mainly whilst debbie stayed at home to have a rest before her night shift. When got home had this to eat the brie and blue cheese was very nice with the salami on crackers then I had to go get ready to go out. So we never made it to Trop Fest which is an outdoor festival of music, entertainment and short films but the films weren't on til late.
But I am off to the empire show tonight with Hisako and her friends Kat (from Brisbane) and Lisa met at central station, Lisa not well so just the three of us. The empire show is at Moore park so had to get bus there and didn't realise so much their got drinks and foods etc before show started. Then it was time to take some pictures as before even set foot in the tent is scaffolding up with hammocks so had to sit on it and have picture. The poster girl Elena Lev's opening act in a dangling ball - part contortionist, part acrobatic, part hula hoop performance - was something truly spellbinding, and worked terrifically to draw the crowd in. And she wasn't the only mesmerising feature of the show. There was a bounty of beauties both male and female, performing acrobatics and more, all-the-while showing a fair amount of skin, very nice!! Our hosts of the night, meanwhile, were a husband and wife duo who were fantastically hilarious and deliciously talented from the wife's contortionist skills to the husbands... ahem... banana catching skills (I'll leave it at that) they helped hold the production together elegantly. Although, as they are responsible for the full frontal nudity in the show, "elegant" mightn't be the right word to use here...Beyond this, I'm not going to get into specifics because I don't think these sorts of shows can be enjoyed quite as much if you know the exact details of what you're in for. What I will tell you is this Empire from New York is everything you hope it will be - and more. A fantastic and fun evening that you won't want to end, if you're a fan of a good cabaret, then you need look no further. Don't miss it!
When it finished we got the bus to the city and caught the wrong bus so got off Elizabeth street then wandered to George street for Chinese parade. One of Sydney's favourite events, the Chinese New Year Twilight Parade is the highlight of the New Year festivities. Bringing a magical beauty to the summer evening, floats, lanterns, dancers, martial arts and off course the dragon. There weave their way through the city, snake-like, from Sydney Town Hall down to Harbour Street, illuminated by stunning projections on city buildings with some fireworks. We got to join in for the pre-parade entertainment, with dancers, acrobats and music. As the evening descends, gasp in amazement as the giant snake comes alive, shedding its skin along our streets is a symbol of renewal. Their was some good floats and I especially liked the Taronga zoo one as had a animal song float with stuffed animals with lots of snakes then people dancing with snakes wrapped round their necks. Loved the dragon and lion dance...some of the performances left me speechless...but it was quite an experience full off colour and noise. Got quite a good spot near front of railing near town hall, took some nice photos a food way to welcome in the Year of the Snake. Then time to head home walked back to central station since town hall so busy and couldn't be bothered fighting with crowds got in about 11ish.