Meet in D.C. for Chinese New Year Parade?

[SuzyView]

Anyone up to meeting in D.C. for the Chinese New Year Parade? It's not as spectacular as the one in NYC, but it should be fun. I will get details to when it starts. It's usually on a weekday in the morning.

SuzyView

[BottomBracket]

Suzy, I would like to see pictures of this event. Please post them if you do get to take pics. I think the Chinese arch-gateway thingie near the Metro Station on Avenue H is very pretty, it would be nice to use that to 'frame' the parade.

[SuzyView]

I missed the parade last year because they had it mid-week during the day. This year I am going to make sure I get there and get at least the Lion Dance part. :)

SuzyView

[Jon]

I work downtown, so I might be able to get off and get over. Sounds fun - only catch is that it'sthe Year of the Dog and I can't bring our Peke along to the office. Update - Jan. 29 (http://www.whatsonwhen.com/events/~23986.jml) is a Sunday. 2:30 PM. I'll find out this Sunday if I should expect to be in it (Potomac Valley Pekingese Club (http://www.potomacpekes.org))

[Tin Man]

I believe this year is on the weekend of Jan 28-29

[SuzyView]

I looked at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association website and they said something about Sun. Jan 29 in the afternoon. That is the real Chinese New Year day. Since it's a weekend, I bet I can park at the MCI center, which is about a block from Chinatown. Why they don't have it in the morning when we could all have some Dim Sum is beyond me. :(

Also, what equipment should I bring? Thinking about the 18-55 kit lens and my 50 1.4.

SuzyView

[Jon]

You might want the 85 (or longer?) to pick out individuals. Do I recall you have a 28-135? That'd be good. Also, if you're not used to it, a good time to try working between 2 cameras, so you don't need to worry about lens changes so much. At Kensington's Labor Day Parade (on one side of Connecticut Ave - 3 lanes) I was using the 24-70 and 100-400.

[SuzyView]

I do have the 28-135 IS. I think I will bring that instead. It will also depend on the weather. I didn't want a whole lot of eqiupment because it can be crowded. But since I've never been to one in D.C., I just don't know. I thought I should bring a wider lens and then crop later. Oh, and I'm leaning toward getting the Tamrac Velocity 7 or 9. I figure if the 7 can fit my 20D with the 28-135 on it and then one other lens, that's what I'll do.

Thanks.

SuzyView

[Wrench]

I will try to be there!! Have never tried to shoot something like this. I suppose I would be better off with my 70-200 as opposed to a 24-70??

[SuzyView]

I don't know what to expect, really. Never shot a parade. I guess everything will be in motion. I may bring my 20D and EOS 3. I'll put the 28-135 on my EOS 3 and 85 1.8 on the 20D. That way I get both. I may let my 17 year old have one to work with. He wants to get into this a little (I hope he realizes that Mom's equipment costs more than his college tuition) ;)

We should decide on a meeting place. I recommend meeting as close to the arch as possible.

SuzyView

[Jon]

I will try to be there!! Have never tried to shoot something like this. I suppose I would be better off with my 70-200 as opposed to a 24-70??
I'd think the 24-70 would be better than the 70-200. You're going to either be in close or too far behind the crowd to see anything.

Better figure on a fairly early meeting time to stake out a curbside spot. White lenses can only do so much!

[SuzyView]

I have church until 12:30, will be driving in from Woodbridge. Hopefully we will get there by 1:45. I am hoping to park at the MCI Center underground. It's about half a block from Chinatown. If my family is with me, I will hunt you guys down by myself. They've never seen the parade and are really excited. I want to get some good roast pork so I will be around after they finish.

SuzyView

[Wrench]

What's the best way to get into Chinatown? I'll be coming in on the train. Is there a stop in Chinatown?

[BottomBracket]

What's the best way to get into Chinatown? I'll be coming in on the train. Is there a stop in Chinatown?

Gallery Place-Chinatown Station, on the Red Line. This will take you really close to the Arch on Avenue H. The train platform area is great to photograph as well.

[futura]

I would love to go!!! anyone willing to shout me a ticket :p

[Jon]

What's the best way to get into Chinatown? I'll be coming in on the train. Is there a stop in Chinatown?
Two stops on the Red Line going toward Shady Grove/Grosvenor from Union Station. If you go direct from the MARC platforms (Gate A) to the Metro entrance (through the doors off the platform and turn right, then keep going straight ahead to the escalator to Metro and the fare card machines), it'll be the right hand side of the platform as you head down the escalator inside the turnstiles.

[Wrench]

I'll be riding the Orange line in from New Carrolton. I think I'll find my way :)

Do we want to settle on a meeting time/place or just kinda hope we all run into one another?

[SuzyView]

If you want to meet after the parade, I think we could meet in front of the CVS, which is right next to the arch. We could also meet down the street toward the MCI Center (or whatever it is called now that it not the MCI Center anymore). There will probably be a lot of people there by the arch, but we can probably find each other since I think the streets are closed. We might even park at Union Station and walk. We've done that before.

Everyone will be wearing red (good luck color) so if you could have a different looking hat or something, we can probably find each other. And this time, I can't even say I'm the short Chinese woman. There will be a significant number of us that day. :) ;)

I see on the NYC POTN that they are meeting in Chinatown there and on Feb. 4. My son is going to try to make that one. Should be fun to compare.

SuzyView

[Wrench]

Looks like sunny and 48* for Sunday as of now. Lets all keep our fingers crossed!!

To anyone that cares, I will be at the arch at noon if anyone wants to meet up.

[SuzyView]

Where did you see that? You mean the 2 week forecast? If that is the way it's going to be, it should be very nice. I love a blue sky. :)

I can't be there until around 2. So, save me a spot! ;) The restaurant with the two lions in the front has good Dim Sum.

SuzyView

[Wrench]

weather.com 10 day forecast for my home zip code which is in between Baltimore and DC.

[SuzyView]

I'm getting really excited about this. Who all are going to be there? Jon, Tony, Rick?

[Jon]

Haven't heard from Rick on this, I think.

[Wrench]

Then he needs a PM for a formal invite :)

[Wrench]

Got a reply from Rick, he's a no go. He just got back from Mickey Mouse Land and says he needs a break. :)


Hope to see you all tomorrow

[SuzyView]

Rough life, Rick. But understandable. Wondered where you went.

I am still a go. We are parking nearby and walking to the arch. I am bringing my 28-135 IS on my 20D with and my son will have the 10D with 50mm 1.4. Should be exciting.

SuzyView

[Wrench]

Can I expect you at the arch at noon or would you like to meet up at a different place/time?

Jon, I wont be able to call you from there, my cell phone died yesterday :( Hopefully we'll meet up somewhere

[SuzyView]

I probably won't be there until after 2 because we care coming after church. We will "elbow" our way around to get to the arch.

SuzyView

[Jon]

I'll shoot for around noon at the arch, but later wouldn't wildly surprise me. I'll keep my eyes open.

[CoolToolGuy]

Rough life, Rick. But understandable. Wondered where you went.
SuzyView

Hi, gang:

Is it this weekend (1/22) or next? I'm still trying to rest up from having a 'relaxing' vacation at Disney World.

We did the whole Disney thing for a week - up at 5:45 AM, first bus to the park each day, closed the park most evenings. Lots of fun and experiences, but very taxing on the body. We went to all the parks, Downtown Disney, and I did the 'Richard Petty Driving Experience' where I drove a close-to-NASCAR racecar on the WDW Speedway. I took over 1,000 shots with my 20D, and the wife and kids racked up lots of shots on their P&Ss and about 3 hours of video.

Disney has a relatively new 'Photo Pass' product that uses wireless transmission and Web access to sell photos. I'll be starting a thread on it as soon as I wade through what I missed here while I was gone.

It doesn't look good for the parade for me, but that is the kind of thing I like to shoot - lots of excitement, color, and unexpected shots. Good luck with it.

Have Fun,

[Wrench]

Did anyone manage to find the parade? I got there around noon, walked around a bit then headed to the smithsonian to kill some time. Got back a bit before 2 and walked around Chinatown, couldn't find any closed streets or signs of a parade so we got some lunch at a restaurant right by the arch then headed home.

[Jon]

It's the 29th, next Sunday. So I guess you've had a dry run Tony.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1080798&postcount=4

Does that mean you might be recovered by then Rick?

[BottomBracket]

Just an observation, you may want to meet somewhere else other than the arch. I may be wrong but it may be really crowded there during the parade. Perhaps you can set the meeting place somewhere else nearby, such as the entrance of CVS Pharmacy, which is just around the corner.

[CoolToolGuy]

Does that mean you might be recovered by then Rick?

Maybe - I'll have to clear my schedule with the management. . .

Have Fun,

[SuzyView]

The arch is actually not very far from the CVS. You can practically touch both at the same time. CVS is on the corner so that may be better. I was thinking the opposite corner from the CVS. That shouldn't be too bad. Let me look at the map and see what's up.

SuzyView

[Wrench]

I feel retarded :(

The arch is a good meeting place simply b/c it's easy to get to and find. And yes, Suzy, the CVS is right at the arch.

[SuzyView]

You are too funny, Tony. I don't think you are retarded. :)

[Wrench]

Hey, at least me and the lady got a good lunch :) Didn't know which place to choose so we walked around looking into restaurants to see which one had the most Chinese people eating in it.We figured no one knows Chinese food like the Chinese ;) That's the one we picked and it was very, very good ! :)

[SuzyView]

By chance, do you remember which one it was?

[Wrench]

Chinatown Garden. We were the only roundeyes in the place :)

[SuzyView]

Sounds good to me. I'll have to go there sometime. I'm always searching for fun places to eat.

My friend invited me again to our usual Chinese New Year Dinner on the 28th at some place outside of D.C. The former President Bush went there a lot. It's got bullet proof glass and all. Food is pretty authentic. Give you information later when I remember. :)

SuzyView

[SuzyView]

Okay, there is a 30% chance of rain. I talked to my boys and they had wide eyes and said, "That's not going to stop us, Mom." What can I say. If it looks good to go, I'm there. My kids really want to see the Lion and Dragon dances. Also, wear red, it's a lucky color. You have to clean your whole house to receive the luck, and you can't wash your hair that day to wash the luck away from your body. Okay. That's it.

SuzyView

[CoolToolGuy]

I'm talking it over with my wife for her and my youngest to come along and then wander around DC, maybe have dinner somewhere.

What time are you meeting, and what time does the parade start?

Have Fun,

[CoolToolGuy]

Hey, not to throw a monkey wrench into the works, but I was googling the Chinese New Year and I found several articles:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15258020

http://godc.about.com/od/annualevents/p/chineseny.htm

They both say that the parade is on February 5, 2006. Are there two parades?

Have Fun,

[Wrench]

Oh NO! Not again!

[SuzyView]

When I first looked they said that Chinese New Year was on Jan. 29 and that there would be a parade. They didn't say, "Well, not on Jan. 29th though." I guess the website didn't have details until recently. I'm sorry. I really was looking forward to it this weekend.

That being the matter at hand, let's just meet on Feb. 5 at 1:30 at the corner directly diagonal from the CVS before the arch. I will be the short Chinese woman with red on. ;)

SuzyView

[Maureen Souza]

That is Super Bowl Sunday, Suzy.

[SuzyView]

Know that. But I think the game starts a lot later in the east coast.

[SuzyView]

I just got this note from my sister about NYC. They have to move their meeting too.

The 7th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade &
Festival
The parade usually winds throughout Chinatown along
Mott, Canal, and Bayard streets, and along East
Broadway.

Time: 1-5 pm, Sunday, February 5, 2006

Place: Canal Street South

The spectacle features elaborate floats, marching
bands, lion and dragon dances galore, Asian musicians, magicians, acrobats and procession by local organizations. Over 5,000 people are expected to march in the parade, which will start at Mott Street and promenade through practically every street in Chinatown, finally dispersing at Worth Street. The parade is expected to conclude at 3:00 pm, at which time an outdoor cultural festival will take place on Bayard Street featuring more performances by musicians, dancers and martial artists. This event is organized by the Better Chinatown Society.

[SuzyView]

Looks like the NYC POTN meet went well and the pictures posted are wonderful. Can't wait for next Sunday, but we are supposed to get colder weather. Dress warm!

SuzyView

[CoolToolGuy]

I have a better chance of making it this Sunday - not a lock, but its looking good.

Have Fun,

[SuzyView]

I decided that I like my prime lenses so much better than my zooms. I think I will put my 50 1.4 on the 20D. I couldn't get it on today at the A&S because I needed the wide angle, but I think the 50 1.4 will be fine. I doubt I will be near anything. I'll probably be far away and can get away with the distance.

I'm excited. My kids are going nuts. They got their lucky money on Sunday and spent it today at the A&S. It was a great trip. We need to go to the Mall and take pictures there sometime. Maybe meet at the Cherry Blossoms on a weekday. What do you guys think?

[2manyPix]

Hi folks,

I'd love to get in on some of the parade action too! :) I was in Chinatown this past Sunday for the Caps game and was surprised when I didn't see any parade goers. I had my camera in hand hoping to at least do some people watching...glad to know it's not til this coming weekend! That also gives us another chance at getting good weather.

I'm an SLR newbie and have been going snap happy since getting my 20d a few weeks ago. Can't wait to try out the new telephoto at the parade! :)

Not sure if anyone posted it yet, but here's the details from washingtonpost.com for what it's worth:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1037051

In preparation for the event, can anyone point me to a good thread on capturing action shots w/telephoto sans tripod?

Thanks!
Joe

[HoRnYTuRbO]

its aways the first sunday of Feb, well at least here in Boston it is

[SuzyView]

Glad to have you with us. I think Wrench (Tony), CoolToolGuy (Rick) might come. Jon is coming and I will be there ASAP after church. Finding parking is the biggest challenge. Any suggestions? I thought at the Metro Center?

SuzyView (Suzie)

[Jon]

I'm just Metroing down. Straight shot on the Red, Green, or Yellow lines, one change and one stop from the Blue/Orange lines (Metro Center) to Gallery Place Station.

[SuzyView]

Hey, Jon, I am thinking about trading in my 28-135 IS for the 24-70L. What do you think? Sell the 28-135 and then spending the difference on the other lens. I hardly ever use my zoom to that 135 end anyway.

SuzyView

[CoolToolGuy]

Hey, Jon, I am thinking about trading in my 28-135 IS for the 24-70L. What do you think? Sell the 28-135 and then spending the difference on the other lens. I hardly ever use my zoom to that 135 end anyway.

SuzyView

Suzy,

Not to jump in uninvited (but it is a public forum :) ) , but you may want to give serious consideration to the EF-S 17-85 IS. I have both lenses, and for many situations I prefer the 17-85 for its light weight and the ability to use the built-in flash (family shots, etc). Don't get me wrong, the 24-70 L is a great lens, and I use it a lot, but IMHO the 17-85 makes a better walkaround lens.

My unsolicited 2 cents.

Have Fun,

P.S. The 17-85 was designed to be the digital (1.6 crop) version of the 28-135 IS lens - with the same range on a 1.6 camera that the 28-135 gives on a film body.

[SuzyView]

Oh, I need a walkaround lens, but I do a lot of events and I really need to investigate these lenses more. I will do more reading on the 17-85. Thanks.

SuzyView

[Jon]

Well, I love the 24-70, but I do need something wider a lot of the time. That's where (currently) the Sigma 15-30 comes in. Works out to FoV of a 24 after allowing for crop. If you want the speed, the 24-70's great. If you don't go wide, again it's great. If you're contemplating FF anytime soon, that's the way to go. But you could get the 17-85 and a fastish prime (maybe the 35 f/2) for about the same price. Probably lighter, too. As for longer, my standard mount is the 24-70 on one body and the 70-200 on the other. 15-30 and 100-400 flip in as needed (more the 100-400 than the 15-30). I would find the 24-70 without additional lenses at either end to be inadequate.

[BottomBracket]

Good luck folks! I look forward to your pics. I am in the DC area several times a year, visiting relatives so someday I may be able to hook up with you. Suzy, I would recommend bringing a zoom for faster framing. It's hard to zoom with your feet when hemmed in by people :) Have fun all!

[Wrench]

I really, really, REALLY wish that it wasn't on Super Bowl Sunday. Sorry folks, but I will be too busy enjoying the obligatory Super Bowl Sunday libations courtesty of Anheuser Busch while watching the Steelers lose their hineys :) Have fun.

[SuzyView]

Isn't that game on later in the day, Tony?

[Wrench]

Yeah I've been thinking of hoofing it home from the parade to catch the game. Hmmmmmm......

[SuzyView]

The game is at 6:30, but the forecast is for rain/snow and that's really bad for me. It's hard enough taking my 3 boys and holding equipment. I may not be able to go either if the weather doesn't hold up :( Life is so weird. What a beautiful day today and snow is the forecast for next week. I know I'm going to get sick.

[2manyPix]

Wow, snow? Mother Nature is really throwing us some curveballs this winter! Well, if the weather is nice I'm heading out there with my family. If I see anyone with a Canon dSLR I'll just go introduce myself. :)

Hope to see ya there, but if not, let's compare pics on Monday!

Joe

[SuzyView]

Looks like windy with 40's. So, I'm going to watch and pray we will make it. I will probably take my kids and keep them close to me, and it will be crowded. As long as it is clear, I won't mind driving there. Hopefully, I'll find parking. Any suggestions?

[Jon]

Dunno on parking. Only place in downtownish DC we drive is the Kennedy Center. Otherwise we suffer through Metro.

[SuzyView]

My husband and I will have to make our final decision in the morning. Our littlest has got a couch and it's really bad, so we might have to skip. :( I will keep everyone posted.

[SuzyView]

My youngest is coughing still and I won't even be able to attend church today, my favorite meeting, too. Sorry, POTN guys. I was so looking forward to it and even got my Velocity 9 ready to go. I had it yesterday for the MathCounts Competition and took pictures of my 9 middle schoolers. The 50 1.4 worked beautifully. And if the weather was better yesterday, I was going to attack Penn Camera in Springfield to snatch up the only 24-70L they had. I've wanted that or the 17-40L for a while now. Oh well.

Take some great pictures for me, Jon. I really wanted to see the Lion Dancers as I've never seen them in the states. My only memory is of the little town called Aberdeen where I grew up and the great festivals we had there. My parent never let me go to Chinatown in NYC because I'm a girl and they never let me out. :( Now I'm a Mom and my kids don't let me out. ;)

[Jon]

Bummer, Suzy. I'll see what I can do.

[SuzyView]

Did you make it to the parade, Jon?

[Jon]

Downloading now. May be a while before I get anything posted - just stripped 130+ off the 20D, and I know I ran at least 50-60 on the D60. Ran into one POTN irregular (Steve Voss, not sure of his nick) who I spotted by his L glass and what I mistook for a 20D - it's a 5D. Also another 20D shooter who was there with his 100-400, whom I told about POTN. Bunches of other Canon shooters around, but most of the working press were using funny-looking gear with red bands on the bodies and yellow/black straps.

[SuzyView]

Thanks for posting your response, Jon. I don't understand those working press guys. Don't they know the red band lenses are cooler and so much more attractive? Did you have a good time? Oh, I'm so jealous.:p My 6 year old just coughed until he got sick and now I can't even work tomorrow. :( Oh well, as in the other thread about being married, you have to make some sacrifices. I bet it was even sunny there. Oh, I wish I could have gone.

[Jon]

Semi-sunny.
Absolutely nothing but resizing done to these (PowerToys Resize Pictures). Otherwise straight from camera.

[SuzyView]

I know exactly where you were standing. Oh, I'm sick. It didn't even look crowded. Kids train for years to learn the dances. Hope you enjoyed it.

[Jon]

It was even less crowded up a block and a half at 7th and I where I started out. Saw the whole parade from there, then headed on down - there was a hold due to someone (crowd) collapsing so they had to get the paramedics. Anyhow - near H and the Arch, it was squeeze through as long as noone was going the other direction. Time I got to this point, I was able to see the whole parade again. The dragon's a crop, BTW.

[SuzyView]

That last one is perfect. Love the color and sharpness.

[Jon]

That last one is perfect. Love the color and sharpness.20D, 70-200. Played with the curve a little in RSP, but let in-camera all else stand.

[2manyPix]

I'm really bummed that I missed it. My little boy had a bad cough so my wife wouldn't let him go...she gave me the usual "But you can go if you want" line which can be read as "if you leave me here to take care of him myself while you're out having fun with your little camera....."

I'm itching to test this thing out somewhere other than the office.
:'(

Joe

[SuzyView]

Yep. That's what I got from my hubby. Our 6 year old is even home today with the bad cough. He will go back to school tomorrow. I just want to thank Jon for going and reporting with such great shots. The colors are so vivid at those parades. We need to get together this spring for the cherry blossoms, all of us POTN members and have lunch. It should be at the end of March, which comes up real quick. What do you all say?

[2manyPix]

Good idea, Suzie, and thanks for putting the idea out there to meet up at the New Years parade. I'd like to be on the "list" for any other local events!

Joe

[Jon]

No "list". Just check back in POTN Member Activities early and often. Any threads should have the location included.

Cherry blossoms (during the week? Weekends are somewhat, er, crowded) could work.

[BottomBracket]

Jon, great pics, looks like you had fun there. Suzy, I understand about kids, my son has been nursing a persistent cough for a week, and I have been a bit under the weather myself. I have always wanted to go to the cherry blossoms festivities at DC, maybe I can go down south for that. I hope you MaDelVa folks don't mind an out of towner :)

[SuzyView]

I'll post a few from last year. The pink and white of the blossoms are muted, very soft, but quite beautiful. A weekday is much preferred because it does get crowded. I will be taking the bus in as that is a straight shot from Woodbridge. Let's watch for announcements and go on-line for the festivities. I've been there when the weather's been cold. I've been there when the blossoms are just about finished and a good wind would sweep them all off and away. Wonderful stuff.

[Jon]

Time for a new thread so everyone can find it, please.

[SuzyView]

I did it already. :)

[staciecd]

Great shots!!!! Sorry I missed this event as well - and meeting fellow Baltimore posters. I have an idea for a meet that I will post soon!

Stacie