Embrace the Dragon
Gong Xi Fa Cai! Or Happy Chinese New Year! Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, 10th February this year and according to the zodiac, we are ushering in the year of the Dragon! The Dragon is an especially auspicious creature in the Chinese zodiac (people literally plan to have “dragon babies”!) so there’s no better time to indulge in the festivities!
The annual Chinese New Year Fair is on, so expect lots of cultural experiences from food, games, arts and crafts… and of course, lion and dragon dances! The lion dance is one of our favourite things to watch this time of year. I am often amazed by the lifelike movements and agility of the dancers*.
Warning: the performances can be LOUD as they were traditionally performed to chase bad spirits and monsters away.
Crown Perth will also be ushering the new year across their resort. Check out the variety of seasonal dining options and the entertainment on offer.
Prefer to stay local? You’ll find lion dancers blessing local shopping centres and Chinese restaurants as well. Here are some to get you started:
Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre
Southlands Boulevarde
Banksia Grove Shopping Centre
Westfield Carousel
Karrinyup Shopping Centre
Alternatively, check out these two lion dance troupes to find out where they’ll be:
Yao Lin Kung Fu Association
Chung Wah Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe
Fringe and Perth Festival
We’re well and truly into Fringe right now! If you haven’t had a wander to the Pleasure Garden, put it on your to do list! There’s food, a free silent disco and mermaids to enjoy before a show. Don’t know what to watch? Check out our Fringe coverage here.
Perth Festival is also ramping up this season with a range of events to suit every member of the family. As part of the festival, The State Library of Western Australia is hosting a selection of free, family events. This includes story sessions and writer sessions for budding authors. There are a selection of performances and movies that are suitable for a younger audience. Here are some to consider:
Jungle Book Reimagined
Copa 71
Robot Dreams
Movie releases
The first few weeks back at school can be rough, so your kids might be feeling a bit frazzled. If they’re not up for a day outside (or if it’s too hot!), seek refuge in the cinema! We’ve got the teens and littlies covered this month with the following releases:
1st February – Argylle
9th February – Under the Boardwalk
14th February – Madame Web
29th February – Combat Wombat
We’re just scratching the surface here, don’t forget to follow our socials @PerthHappenings or check our calendar here to see what else is happening in Perth.
Is there something coming up in March that we need to know about? Drop me a DM @rojakwayoflife by 15th February for consideration in our March wrap up!