September, 2012 – Graham Miln

9e Défilé de la Biennale de la danse de Lyon

Last Sunday, we joined hundreds of others to watch a parade of floats and dancers in Lyon. I had fun taking photos and making a short film.

The event coincided nicely with our guests visit and it turned into a fun way to spend the Sunday afternoon.

The temperature reached 30°C and for a short while I was standing in the direct sun – I was grateful when the shade reached our viewing spot. The sweltering dancers were plied with water bottles being ferried around in decorated wheelbarrows.

Floats included Îles et Ailes, Boarding Pass, Attraction, Bab-el-Bal, S’Envoyer en l’Air, Passeurs de Rêve, Entre Ciel et Terre les Étoiles Scintillent, L’Imaginarium d’Orpheus, Pluies de Danses, and Barnum Parad.

I am not sure I understand the strapping of inflatable birds to heads or some of the other imagery but it was all fun to see pass by.

Inflatable birds strapped to cycle helmets
Inflatable birds strapped to cycle helmets

One negative of the event was the manner of private security firm, Forevents; unwelcoming and out of character with the event they were there to help.

Crowds lining the street waiting for the parade to start
Crowds lining the street waiting for the parade to start

Three younger souls getting a better view
Three younger souls getting a better view

Go Pro camera on a pole
Go Pro camera on a pole

Cameraman chatting with a dancer
Cameraman chatting with a dancer

Balloons and roller skaters
Balloons and roller skaters

Face paint and sweltering heat
Face paint and sweltering heat

La Poste joined in the fun

Acrobatic performers on wheels
Acrobatic performers on wheels

A tree like structure precedes the next float
A tree like structure precedes the next float

Inflatable A380 planes strapped to the heads of airline staff
Inflatable A380 planes strapped to the heads of airline staff

Stilt walkers were popular
Stilt walkers were popular

Puppetry on a giant scale
Puppetry on a giant scale

This was the first time I have managed to fill my camera’s memory card. I attempted to film most of the acts but sadly hit the limit of the 8GiB memory card. By the end, I had about 40+ minutes of high definition (720p) footage which I reduced into the ten minute film published on my Graham Miln YouTube channel.