The ongoing pandemic is making it impossible to host live events in Richmond, but plans are still underway for Lunar New Year celebrations -- albeit online. People are encouraged to Zoom in from home to participate in the colourful festival.
Here is a list of the free virtual events happening around the city in the coming weeks. The Richmond News will continue to update this list as more events are announced.
Jan. 27 to Feb. 26
What: Chinese New Year Couplets Contest
Where: Richmond Public Library website
Hosted by: Richmond Public Library
Richmond Public Library is hosting a Chinese New Year contest for writing couplets. Community members are encouraged to join and come up with the first line to the library’s second line in the couplet.
Deadline for submissions is Feb. 26 at Bit.ly/3j94dQe
Feb. 5
What: VISM Education Group Children’s Concert
When: 7:30-9 p.m
Where: Live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook
Hosted by: VISM Education Group
Richmond-based VISM Education Group, an institution dedicated to providing music lessons to students of all ages, will raise money for the Richmond Hospital Foundation through various dance and musical performances.
According to Yishan Shu, principal of VISM Education Group and host of online charity event, this event allows children to showcase their talents on the stage and contribute back to the community.
The event is free, but people are encouraged to make a donation to Richmond Hospital Foundation. The event also provides VIP tickets for $15.
The hour and a half virtual event will be live-streamed for free through YouTube and Facebook. For more information, visit: https://rb.gy/xc1lzm.
Feb. 10
What: Free Chinese New Year Party: Ringing in the Year of the Ox
When: 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Online via Zoom
Hosted by: Vancouver Cantonese Opera
This virtual event will share interesting traditions and celebrations linked to the Chinese New Year in both the English and Chinese languages. Members of the Vancouver Cantonese Opera will be performing a short opera titled “The Legend of the Red Peony” and the addition of an interactive Chinese New Year sing-along.
Registration is required at Bit.ly/2LjhLfy
Feb. 11
What: Free 55+ Lunar New Year Show
When: 1 to 2 p.m.
Where: Online via Zoom
Hosted by: South Arm Community Centre
The show is a free virtual festive event for those who are 55 and over to celebrate Lunar New Year. There will be dance performances, cultural music and DIY crafts. Registration is required at Bit.ly/2MjKZLP or by calling 604-276-4300 using course #63468.
What: Aberdeen Chinese New Year Countdown
When: 10:55 p.m. to midnight
Where: Fairchild TV (free)
Aberdeen’s annual countdown will be taking the celebration virtually for the first time. The virtual event will include a line-up of lion dance performances, fortune tellers and singers from Asia in the program.
Feb. 14
What: When west meets east: Chinese Instruments meet pop music
When: 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Online at Youtube.com/user/VanHanfu
Hosted By: Vancouver Hanfu Culture Society and YKLM Auction house
Vancouver Hanfu Culture Society, founded by a group of UBC students since autumn 2011, is collaborating with Richmond-based auction house YLKM to present a free concert to the public. Chinese music professionals will showcase the beauty of traditional Chinese musical instruments and costumes through performances.
As a non-profit organization, Vancouver Hanfu Culture Society now has more than 700 members who are dedicated to promoting the traditional Chinese culture in Canada. For more information, visit Bit.ly/3au90rj
Feb. 15
What: Family Day Chinese shadow puppetry workshop
When: 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Online via Zoom
Hosted by: Gateway Theatre
Shadow puppetry is a form of Chinese folk art and Gateway Theatre is celebrating the Lunar New Year with a creative workshop for families and community members. The workshop will be led by Annie Katsura Rollins, who will teach families the history of shadow puppetry and how they are made.
The Feb. 15 session is offered in the English language and is geared towards kids aged eight to 12.
Registration and a fee of $5 are required at Bit.ly/2O1zvgo
Feb. 21
What: Community Chinese shadow puppetry workshop
When: 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Online via Zoom
Hosted by: Gateway Theatre
Shadow puppetry is a form of Chinese folk art and Gateway Theatre is celebrating the Lunar New Year with a creative workshop for families and community members. The workshop will be led by Annie Katsura Rollins, who will teach families the history of shadow puppetry and how they are made.
The Feb. 21 session is offered in English with a Mandarin language interpreter.
Registration and a fee of $5 are required at Bit.ly/2O1zvgo
