Come here, Tiger!
It wasn’t anywhere near finished the last time City Council opened the Chinatown Mall to the public in mid December, but we’ll soon all get another chance to see just how much more has been done over the past seven weeks.
The $8 million mall makeover is officially opened on Chinese New Year’s Day – Sunday February 14 and it will be a great opportunity to see just how “open” it really will be. A lot can be done in a few days, but on Monday the mall remained a virtual no-go zone.
While the cladding on the grand arch was almost finished, the modern entrance on the mall’s Ann Street side looked far from complete, as did the water feature on the mall’s northern side, and many of the other smaller features that will eventually adorn the new look mall.
City Council has an extensive program of events to celebrate the Chinese New Year, with activities planned from Friday February 12 to Sunday February 14 (see program below). 2010 is the Year of the Metal Tiger, which according to the Chinese zodiac runs from February 14 until February 2 next year. The tiger is the sign of courage in the Chinese zodiac and is revered for warding off the three main disasters of household life: fire; ghosts and thieves.
On the downside, the Year of the Tiger is traditionally linked to social upheaval and massive changes …so if you believe in astrology, be prepared for an unpredictable year ahead. Being flexible and courageous are the key tips for thriving in the Year of the Tiger.
Chinese New Year is a 15-day celebration beginning on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar, which is a lunar based calendar.
Chinese New Year begins with the new moon and ends when the moon is full, 15 days later. The Chinese phrase for celebrating Chinese New Year, “Guo Nian”, means “the passing of the beast”.
In Chinese mythology, a Nian is a beast that lives under the sea or in the mountains. Once each spring, or around Chinese New Year, it comes out of hiding to attack people, especially children.
Fortunately, the Nian is sensitive to loud noises and afraid of the colour red, so, to drive it away, the Chinese have traditions of decorating things in red, exploding firecrackers and performing a lion dance.
Brisbane will be celebrating Chinese New Year with lots of colour, noise and excitement.
•Information above and below gratefully compiled from material on ourbrisbane.com
Free events in Chinatown Mall
Friday February 12
• 6.30pm - Lion Dance by Khuan Yee Lion Dance Association
• 7.15pm - Traditional Cantonese Opera by Multi Arts Association
• 8.15pm - Erhu Performance (Chinese Fiddle) by Mr. Yabin Huang
• 9pm - Chinese Folk Songs & Provincial Dancing by soprano, Ms. Hong Yan
• 9.30pm - Happy New Year Kung Kei Fat Choi
New Year’s Eve Saturday February 13
• 12pm - Lion Dance & Chinese Martial Arts Display by International Wu Shu Academy
• 1pm - Songs by New Farm State Primary School
• 1.30pm - Taiku Drumming
• 2.30pm - Modern Dance by Che Jazz Dancing Centre
• 3.30pm - Chinese Folk Songs & Provincial Dancing by Soprano, Ms. Hong Yan
• 4.15pm - Chinese Pop Band
• 5pm - Chinese Folk Songs, Tenor & Soprano Mr. Hai Chun Jiang and Ms. Dong Liu
• 5.45pm - Lion Dance & Martial Arts Display by Hok Chung Wu Shu Centre
• 6.30pm - Lucky Fire Crackers with the God of Wealth Happy New Year & Kung Hei Fat Choi
New Years Day Sunday Feb 14
• 11am - Chinese Folk Songs and Chinese Harp by Ms. Lilly Chang & Ms. Sonia Li
• 12pm - Opening Lion Dance by Lam Tu Luen Kung Fu School
• 12.15pm - Chinatown Mall Re-launch Ceremony
• 12.45pm - Performance of the 'Fable of the Carp'
• 1.15pm - Lion Dance (on Poles)
• 1.30pm - Lucky Fire Crackers with the God of Wealth
• 2pm - Ms. Anna Chau Chinese Folk Songs & Face Changing Spectacular
• 2.30pm - Performance of the 'Fable of the Carp'
• 3.15pm - Chinese Pop Band
• 4pm - Chinese Folk Songs by soprano, Ms. Wu Bing • 5pm - Chinese Dance by Queensland World Dance Academy
• 6pm - Dragon Dance by Lam Tu Luan Kung Fu and Dragon Dance School
• 6.45pm - Lucky Fire Crackers with the God of Wealth
• 7pm - Happy New Year and Kung Hei Fat Choi
Other activities
Throughout the weekend of February 12-14, there is a Chinese Spring Festival Bazaar, 10am to 6pm daily, free activities, workshops and demonstrations from midday to 3pm each day, including childrens face painting, make your own fortune cookies, make your own Red Packets, Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting and brush painting, and art of tea ceremony.
