Nanluogu Xiang Street Festival Canceled

images by Simon Lim and Oak Taylor-Smith

The historic hutong alley of Nanluogu Xiang – home to a host of funky boutiques, cozy cafes, and hipster bars – was to host it's third street fair this weekend, but due to the sudden withdrawal of official permission, the event has now been postponed till "after the Olympics." Similar to last September's performance festival (which itself only went ahead after being postponed multiple times), this weekend's event would have seen the alley lined with street vendors, a fashion show organized by the folks from Plastered t-shirts and, in a creative attempt to bypass concerns about "outdoor" live music, storefronts turned into makeshift stages. However, despite earlier approval from the relevant local authorities, at the beginning of last week, the organizers of the event were suddenly informed that the festival is no longer being allowed to go ahead.

The postponement appears to be due to increased government sensitivity regarding any major outdoor events and follows on the heels of problems with several Shanghai shows (Dandi Wind and Shanghai Midi), heavy police presence at a recent attempt to organize a pillow fight at The Place, and Celine Dion's backing out of her Workers' Stadium show. Hopefully May's MIDI festival will be able to go ahead as planned!

Links and Sources
NLGX: Nanluoguxiang Street Festival, April 12-13! [POSTPONED]
imart: Notice of the postponement of festival (Chinese) 南锣鼓巷03 活动暂缓
Beijing by Foot: Nanluogu Xiang

Reports of Last Year's Festival
Beijing Boyce: Nanluoguxiang street party: get Plastered and more
CRI: 2007-09-13 Nanluoguxiang Festival
Plastered T-Shirts: Images from last year’s festival
Youtube: Gypsy Jazz at Nanluoguxiang Street Festival