The Lane Cove Council organises a couple of events each year that set the Lane Cove Plaza alight, including the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Lane Cove will celebrate the Lunar New Year on 9 February 2024 from 3:30 to 5.45 pm.
It’s the year of the Dragon.
The event will start in the Lane Cove Plaza and then follow the Lions as they make their way to The Canopy. You can stay on for the Screen on the Green – How To Train Your Dragon – details here.
The Lion Dance
The Lion Dance is an absolute highlight and is loved by kids and adults.
The Lion Dance is performed each year by Pak Hok Kung Fu International.
Pak Hok Kung Fu International is a Sydney martial arts and lion dance school.
Chan Hak Fu established the school in 1972. It teaches martial arts, self-defence, and the Lion Dance using traditional methods. The Lion Dance classes promote fitness and agility.
If you’ve ever seen the Lion Dance, you will know that the performers must be incredibly fit and agile to perform at such high energy.
Our video below gives you an idea of how exciting watching the Lion Dance is.
Pak Hok (White Crane) Kung Fu has a long tradition in China, reputedly having begun during the Ming Dynasty – circa 1426. The style started when a Tibetan Lama, Au Dav Tov, with extensive knowledge of martial arts, watched a black ape fighting a white crane.
As a result of this experience, he founded the ‘Lion’s Roar’ style of Kung Fu, which was later renamed ‘Pak Hok Chung’. This paved the way for another Lama, Du Logatan, to find Pak Hok Kung Fu at the end of the Ming Dynasty. You can find out more about Pak Hok Kung Fu here.
Our Cover Photo Source: Pak Hok Kung Fu here.
Lion Dance at Wadanggari Park
If you miss them at the Lane Cove Plaza, there will also be a performance at Wadanggari Park on Saturday, 24 February 2024 | 03:30 PM to 06:00 PM
Come on down to Wadanggari Park and celebrate the Year of the Dragon with your community!
The beautiful lion dancers, including baby lions, will be performing at 4 pm, and there will also have other activities, including Calligraphy.
Lunar New Year – Willoughby City Council
Chatswood is turning into a dragon’s den of fun! Join Willoughby City Council from 1 February 2024 for a Lunar New Year extravaganza featuring the spectacular Celebration Day and lantern parade, culinary adventures at the Golden Market, and a laughter-packed Comedy Gala. More information here.
Some of the highlights include:
Soaring Dragon (1–25 February): The Soaring Dragon is an imposing light installation in the outdoor space at The Concourse. Suspended over the reflection pool, the illuminated dragon will be mirrored against the surrounding glass, creating a continuous moving light show. McDermott & Baxter, experts in light art installations in urban environments, have focused on creating an immersive experience that showcases the dragon zodiac’s power, wonder and presence to delight audiences in this public space.
Lunar New Year Comedy Gala (Saturday, 17 February): The Comedy Gala is now a mainstay in the Chatswood Lunar New Year celebration, and this year, Netflix sensation Jason Leong will host the comedy night at The Concourse Concert Hall, showcasing some of Australia’s best comedic acts. The unique line-up of Asian Australian excellence includes Diana Nguyen, Annie Louey, Harry Jun, Ting Lim, Kevin Jin, Chris Nguyen and Henry Yan.
Lost in Shanghai (Friday, 16 February, The Civic Pavilion, Chatswood): Throughout her adventurous journalism career, one story has intrigued Jane Hutcheon more than any other: the story of her mother Beatrice’s turbulent childhood in pre-Communist Shanghai. Tapping into the power of storytelling she shares the tale of an ordinary Eurasian family in extraordinary times, set against a backdrop of images of fading colonial opulence and looming war.
Passage of Night: Luminary Rising Exhibition (1-25 February): Presented at Willoughby’s Art Space on The Concourse, this exhibition examines the significance of the moon and how it is reflected across cultures. Often an object of wonder and contemplation, the moon is a unifying force that brings communities together. The exhibition showcases the work of Australian artists Frankie Chow, Maryanne Coutts, Emma Hicks, Karen Lee, Lindy Lee, Pamela Leung, Lawrence Liang and Jordan Ritchie, Miho Watanabe and Meng-Yu Yan, with more artists to be announced.
Symphony in the Park – East Meets West – free outdoor concert (Friday, 23 February): As the sun sets across Chatswood Oval, one of Australia’s most talented conductors and composers, Guy Noble, will lead the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra featuring emerging Australian-Chinese musicians and leading erhu player Tuqiang Zhang, in a performance of classical music from East to West. Bring a rug, sit back, and enjoy this free concert.
Lunar New Year Celebration Day and Lantern Parade (Saturday, 3 February): The streets of Chatswood will be lined with food, craft and festive stalls from the train station down Victoria Avenue. The Concourse will have entertainment, including several lion and dragon dance performances. Free lantern-making workshops will run during the festival, culminating in a spectacular Lantern Parade that will close selected streets. The colourful, light-filled parade will start at Chatswood Place, with participants walking up Victoria Avenue and finishing at Anderson Street.
Legends & Lanterns (Sunday 11 February): This magical one-off performance will bring together internationally renowned cellist Li-Wei Qin and violinist Harmonnia Junus, supported by Odyssey Symphony Orchestra and conducted by the Musical Director of the Australian Ballet, Jonathon Lo.
Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios Exhibition
Help Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios’ February exhibition, Transcendence, curated by Simon Chan.
Lunar New Year in 2024 is a time to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. It is also a time to reflect upon the cultural diversity of Australian life.
Transcendence features eleven Chinese Australian artists who navigate their cross-cultural journeys, mediating cultural differences and exploring their identity, heritage, and tradition through artistic expression and creativity.
This exhibition is part of Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios’ Guest Curator Program – further details here.
Make A Dragon Trinket Dish
Saturday, 3 & 24 February, 1:30–3:30 pm (pick the convenient workshop time)
Cost: $45
What better way to welcome the year of the dragon than by crafting your dragon trinket dish from air-dry clay?
During the workshop, you’ll learn and practice some clay sculpting basics, such as rolling, pinching, and slab forming. No kiln firing is needed – you’ll take home your creation straight after class!
This class suits children aged six years plus; all materials will be provided. Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios will provide you with a kit to finish up your creations at home, including acrylic paint pots, gloss varnish, two paintbrushes and a handout to teach you how to paint your dragon trinket dish.
Spots are limited, so book here ASAP. Note that the 3 February 2024 class is for children aged six years +, and the 24 February 2024 class suits Children 6+. Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios welcomes parents and guardians to purchase a ticket alongside their children for this workshop and join the fun.
The facilitator is Emmy Lukito.
Emmy is a Sydney-based artist who loves art and craft. Emmy enjoys the creative process and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others. Over the years, Emmy has run craft workshops for adults and children in creative studios, shopping centres, after-school, public events, hen nights and birthday parties.
Screen on the Green
You can watch How to Train Your Dragon at The Canopy on Friday, 9 February 2024, between 6:00 and 7:30 pm.
As the son of a Viking leader, shy Hiccup faces a rite of passage by killing a dragon. But after downing a feared dragon, he realises that he no longer wants to destroy it and instead befriends the beast, much to the chagrin of his warrior father. Rated PG.
It is a free event; no booking is necessary.
Food
Wok Passion Lane Cove (located on Longueville Road) has a Lunar New Year Banquet Deal – book here.
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