Liverpool is set to slither into action to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Snake.
This weekend (9 and 10 February), a series of events will take place across the city centre which will welcome in the Chinese New Year in loud, lively style!
Activities start on Saturday (9 February) with tai chi demonstrations from 12-3.30pm on Nelson Street and a Chinese art exhibition, along with workshops, held at the Black-E from 11-5pm with an admission fee of just £1.
From 1-4pm the bandstand in Williamson Square will be taken over by Chinese arts company China Pearl which will showcase musical performances, catwalk shows dancing and drumming, getting shoppers in the mood for the full celebrations the following day.
On Sunday (10 February), residents are encouraged to not only enjoy the spectacle of the day but join in. Movema – a community organisation which provides world dance activities – is inviting people to head to the Black-E at 10.30am and learn some dance moves and take those moves onto the street as part of snake inspired flash mob.
All the celebrations kick off at 11am with the family friendly fun fair and the popular Chinese market on Great George Street which will sell gifts, souvenirs and mouth-watering food. At 11.30am the dragon, unicorn and lion parades will get underway in Chinatown, culminating at 1pm in a spectacular fire cracker display in Great George Square starring the ‘Lucky Man’ who will be handing out red envelopes to children.
Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “Chinese New Year is one of the city’s most popular annual events and each year attracts more and more people.
“It’s an event that has a really close community feel to it, and it’s wonderful that we work together with so many local organisations to make sure this an exciting, colourful weekend for people of all ages.
“This year’s celebrations are taking place across an entire weekend in different areas of the city centre, which will be a treat for visitors and shoppers who can all join together to wish the Chinese community a healthy and happy Year of the Snake.”
Once again, musical community organisation Urban Strawberry Lunch are taking part, and from around 11.30am will be welcoming the Snake with drumming and making decorations which will adorn St Luke’s Church.
And watch out for the handiwork of Liverpool’s Happy Hookers Crochet Group which will be appearing on various signs in and around the Chinatown area!
Throughout the day activities will also take place on Bold Street and in Ropewalks Square.
The schedule for some events taking place on Saturday and Sunday is:
Saturday 9th February – Williamson Square Bandstand
1.00pm Drum/dance/singing (30min)
1.30pm Guzheng Ensemble (30min)
2.00pm Tai Chi demonstration plus workshop (30min)
2.30pm Drum/dance/singing (30min)
3.00pm Dance (30min)
3.30pm Drum/dance/singing(30min)
Sunday 10th February – Ropewalks Square
11.15am Flashmob – outside Black-e (15min)
1.00pm Flashmob Рoutside Caf̩ de Pearl, Bold St (10min)
1.30pm Dance (15min)
2.00pm Drum/dance/singing (30min)
2.30pm Dance (15min)
2.45pm Drum/dance/singing (30min)
3.30pm Guzheng Ensemble (30min)
And the excitement doesn’t finish on Sunday as activities will continue to take place in the city for the next few weeks. This includes a rare chance to see Europe’s first and largest Chinese orchestra rehearse at the Pagoda Chinese Community Centre and a special symposium looking at Liverpool’s Chinatown will take place at FACT.
For further details of all the events visit www.liverpool.gov.uk/chinesenewyear or www.lcba.net
