Join in celebrations for Chinese Year of the Dog
Get ready to say Gung Hay Fat Choy — Happy New Year in Chinese — as celebrations to welcome the Lunar New Year take place Saturday and Sunday.
The date of the Lunar New Year changes from year to year, as the Chinese traditionally determine the date by the lunar calendar. This year it takes place on Friday.
But there’s more: In the Chinese zodiac, every year is characterized by one of 12 animals and the Chinese believe your personality and destiny are influenced by your zodiac sign.
Animals in the zodiac include the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, rooster, monkey and pig.
We are leaving the Year of the Rooster and entering the Year of the Dog. People born under the dog sign are characterized as honest and loyal, and making the most reliable partners. Previous dog years include 1970, 1982, 1994 and 2006.
In China, the new year begins with a week of public holidays, with people traditionally travelling home for a reunion and to reconnect with friends and family.
This year, you can attend two events to usher in the Year of the Dog: • Ocean Rain Arts Academy presents its first Spring Festival Spectacular with two hours of musical performances at the University of Victoria.
The event features local talent including Ballet Étoile Canada, Island Circus Space, Duncan Martial Arts Group and magicians, as well as artists from the Philippines, Japanese and Korean communities.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, students and children, and free for children two and under. The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the University Centre Farquahar Auditorium. Proceeds will go to the Big Brothers and Big Sister of Victoria. For tickets, go to tickets.uvic.ca. • The local Chinese community rings in the New Year with lion dances, kung fu demonstrations and traditional dancing in Canada’s oldest Chinatown on Sunday.
The event is free. Festivities run from noon to 3 p.m. near the Gate of Harmonious Interest in the 500 block of Fisgard Street. The event is hosted by the Wong Sheung Hung Fut Kung Fu club. For information, go to hungfut.ca.