Chinese New Year events

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The Year of the Dragon begins on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. Come see the sights, hear the sounds and join the festivities of Chinese New Year to celebrate the Year of the Dragon!

SATURDAY, JAN. 21

What: UBC 2012 Chinese New Year Gala
When: Saturday, Jan. 21, 4 – 8 p.m.
Where: Thea Koerner House, GSS Ballroom, 6371 Crescent Rd., UBC
Event: The Graduate Student Society and the Chinese Graduate Student Associate are hosting a Chinese New Year gala featuring singing, dancing and instrumental performances, a traditional Chinese dinner and more.
Tickets: $5 in advance, $8 at the door

What: Lion Dance
When:  Saturday, Jan. 21, 1 – 4 p.m.
Where: Lougheed Town Centre, Burnaby (Austin Ave & North Road)
Event: Come one, come all, there’s a lion in the mall! Join us for a Lion Dance in Centre Court and around the mall.

What: Chinese New Year Celebrations
When: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Park Royal South Centre Court, West Vancouver
Event: Traditional Lion’s Dance, Cosmological Tai Chi, and music. The first 100 guests will get a red envelope with some “lucky money.”

SUNDAY, JAN. 22

What: Gung Haggis Fat Choy
When: Sunday, Jan. 22, doors at 5:00 p.m., dinner at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Floata Restaurant, Vancouver (#400 – 180 Keefer St)
Event: A unique event that combines Chinese New Year with Robbie Burns Day. Catch poetry and Kung Fu, highland dancers performing with sheng players, and deep-fried haggis dumplings.
Tickets: $65 (students $50, children 13 & under $40) + $5 service charge/$6 online. Call Firehall Arts Centre at 604-689-0926.

What: Chinese New Year’s Eve Charity Gala
When: Sunday, Jan. 22, 9:30 p.m.
Where: River Rock Show Theatre, Richmond.
Event: Discover more about the Chinese New Year traditions and customs, such as the importance of the colour red symbolizing fire, an element thought to reduce bad luck. Peek into the future with the words of wisdom from a famous fortune teller, enjoy the voices of many popular singers, and finally, rid those bad spirits with the help of exciting lion dance troupes at this spectacular event. Proceeds go to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Tickets: $25 at ticketmaster.ca

What: Chinese New Year’s Eve at the Buddhist Temple
When: Sunday evening, Jan. 22, the temple will be open for late night festivities until 1 a.m.
Where: International Buddhist Temple, Richmond (9160 Steveston Hwy)
Event: At midnight, the Abbot, the Venerable Guan Cheng, will be leading a large group ceremony to bless all sentient beings. The Buddhist Temple hosts a Chinese New Year celebration and bazaar from January 18 to 23. Visitors can enjoy auspicious flower arrangements, traditional snacks and foods, various cultural gift items and much more. Admission is free.

What: Countdown Night to the Year of the Dragon
When: Sunday, Jan. 22, during mall Hours (fair runs until 12:30 a.m.)
Where: Aberdeen Centre, Richmond (4151 Hazelbridge Way)
Event: Fairchild Radio and Fairchild TV host pre-countdown and countdown shows. The next day there will be a golden dragon and lion dance at 11:00 a.m. in the outdoor courtyard.

What: RCCS TD Lunar New Year Celebration at Lansdowne Centre
When: Sunday, January 22, 2012, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Landsowne Centre, Richmond (5300 No.3 Road)
Event: “Dotting the Lion’s Eyes” by dignitaries, martial arts, dance, Chinese opera, fashion, and karaoke.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25

What: Chinese New Year Lion Dance
When: Wednesday, January 25 at noon
Where: UBC Bookstore, 6200 University Boulevard
Event: UBC’s Kung Fu Association will perform the traditional Lion Dance that is accompanied by drum, cymbal and gong. The performance will finish with spitting of lettuce from the lion, which means spreading of good luck.

What: Lion Dance
When: Wed., Jan. 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Metropolis at Metrotown Grand Court, Burnaby
Event: Chinese New Year celebrations will begin in Grand Court at 10 a.m. where the lion will “wake up” and begin the parade throughout the shopping centre to “bless” participating stores. This custom is believed to bestow prosperity and good fortune.

FRIDAY, JAN. 27

What:
UBC Chinese New Year Party
When: Friday, January 27, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Asian Center Auditorium, 1871 West Mall
Event: Hundreds of students learning Chinese at UBC participate in this traditional festival annually, showcasing their mastery of the language in a creative performance. The event is organized by the Chinese Language Program in the Department of Asian Studies at UBC. Admission is free.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, JAN. 28 & 29

What: Chinese New Year parade
When: Sunday, Jan. 29, noon
Where: Millennium Gate, Chinatown
Event: This signature event of Vancouver’s Chinatown will feature lion dances, cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances and much more. Year after year, the Chinatown parade is an annual cultural extravaganza not to be missed.

What: Chinese New Year Weekend Festivities
When:  Jan. 28 & 29, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Aberdeen Centre, Richmond (4151 Hazelbridge Way)
Event: Chinese New Year Flower & Gift Fair with appearances by the BC Chinese Music Association, Vancouver Academy of Dance, BC Zhong Yang Music Association, Colours of Dance Academy.

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