The scene is set and the drama is about to begin - the Chinese New Year celebration will get under way in Newcastle this weekend and organisers are planning to make a real song and dance about it.
News that the city's annual party will be making a return this year for the first time since the pandemic has delighted families who have missed out on the traditional party since the last event took place in early 2020, just before Covid hit. And the big celebration will be taking place on Sunday, January 22.
The focus of attention will be Stowell Street, as usual, where all-day activities and performances will welcome in the Year of the Rabbit. This time there will be no procession there from Old Eldon Square in the city centre, as happened at the last two events, but the much-loved dances will still form the heart of the day - and this time there will be three traditional dances with a unicorn procession joining the dragon and lion dance action.
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These will be concentrated in Stowell Street, at the heart of Newcastle's Chinatown. The lively dances are part of a musical parade with drums and the animal dancers will lead a parade to symbolically chase away evil spirits, creating excitement and signalling good luck and fortune for the coming year.
At the Bath Lane end of Stowell Street there will be stalls serving Chinese food and selling arts, crafts and Chinese health products. A children's marquee will offer free family arts and craft sessions such as Chinese lantern-making and calligraphy and there will be a funfair with rides, games, trampolines and an inflatable slide.
Edmund Ng, who helps organise the city's Chinese New Year event, said: “It is great to have the Chinese New Year celebrations back and bigger and better this year, with three animal dancers and more stalls and festivities for everyone to enjoy. We hope people will come down to Chinatown to join in the fun.”
Timetable for Newcastle's Chinese New Year dance processions
11:45am - The Lion troupe will set off from Fujiyama restaurant in Bath Lane to lead the procession to the Chinese Arch
11:45am-12noon - Chinese university students will perform songs at the Chinese Arch
12noon-12:10pm - the Unicorn troupe will perform their dance and leave for Bath Lane
12.10pm-12.20pm - the Dragon troupe will perform their dance and set off on procession
12.20pm-12.35pm - the Lion troupe will dance and give demonstrations of Kung-Fu under the Chinese Arch where firecrackers will be set off during the dance
12.35pm - the Unicorn troupe will start their dance procession on Bath Lane at Hana Hana restaurant
12.40pm - the Unicorn troupe will perform in front of Fujiyama restaurant
1pm - the Lion troupe will lead the dance procession down Stowell Street
1.30pm-1.45pm - university students will perform songs in the area outside Fujiyama restaurant on Bath Lane
The celebrations are free and open to all. Ben Whitfield, director of communications at NE1 Ltd whch is supporting the event, said: “We are delighted to see the welcome return of the Chinese New Year festivities after an enforced break due to Covid and are proud to be sponsoring the celebrations again this year."
Wth 2023 being the Year of the Rabbit - which occurs every 12 years in the Chinese Zodiac - it symbolises longevity, peace and prosperity. This year is predicted to be one of hope and people born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded and even ingenious.
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