Stage, Story, Spectacle: Weaving Through the Art of Peking Opera Drop-in
A drop-in cultural event exploring the world of Peking Opera through face painting, costumes, tea tasting and more!
ARC Public; ARCSpringFling
Date: Thursday 17 April 2025
Time: 14:00 - 17:00
Venue: Advanced Research Centre
Category: Concerts and music, Exhibitions
This drop-in event will allow attendees to explore and engage with various aspects of Peking Opera and Chinese culture at their own pace. Multiple activity stations will run simultaneously throughout the 3-hour period, ensuring that participants can join at any time and stay for as long as they like. Drop-in activity stations include: Face Painting, Craft Workshops, Chinese Tea Corner, Photo Booth with Costumes, Traditional Tang Dynasty Make-Up Experience, Tai Chi Experience Session, and more!
Open to all age groups and welcomes anyone interested in exploring Peking Opera and Chinese culture.
Peking Opera Unmasked: Face Painting Booth
Blank masks will be provided, and participants can draw traditional Peking Opera mask patterns. Volunteers will explain the meaning behind the different colours and patterns.
Craft Workshop Station
This is an area where participants can get their hands dirty: Artists from Hong Kong will be invited to provide handmade leather goods inspired by traditional Chinese designs. Instructions and materials will be provided and participants can work independently or with guidance.
Chinese Tea Corner
The Tea Tasting Station provides small samples of traditional Taiwanese tea. Volunteers will demonstrate basic tea making techniques and share insights into tea culture.
Music Exploration Zone
This will be a site featuring traditional Chinese instruments such as the guqin and flute. Participants can try their hand at playing these instruments or listen to pre-recorded samples of Peking Opera music.
Photo Booth with Costumes
Self-service photo booth with replica costumes and props for participants to dress up as Peking Opera characters. A backdrop inspired by the traditional Chinese theatre stage was included for photographs.
Traditional Tang Dynasty Make-Up Experience
This is a site dedicated to exploring the beauty traditions of China’s Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Participants can observe demonstrations of iconic Tang Dynasty make-up styles, including floral forehead decorations (hua dian) and distinctive eyebrow shapes (willow-leaf or moth styles).
Participants can try simple elements of Tang make-up on themselves with guidance from volunteers or artists. Informational panels will explain the cultural significance of Tang Dynasty aesthetics in art, fashion, and history.
Tai Chi Experience Session
A dedicated session led by a Tai Chi teacher introducing attendees to the basics of Tai Chi movements and philosophy.
This event is free but ticketed.
If you have any access requirements, please contact ARCEngage@Glasgow.ac.uk