It’s Chinese new year and there are plenty of ways to celebrate the year of the monkey in Richmond.
Whether it’s a shopping mall or meditation centre, there’s something for just about everyone to welcome the year and animal which has the characteristics of intelligence, especially when it comes to career and wealth.
Some of the biggest celebrations will be taking place at Aberdeen Centre where the annual flower fair and gift fair began Feb. 1 and stretches until Feb. 8.
Mall spokeswoman Joey Kwan said to help meet the demand the mall will have extended hours, staying open until 12:20 a.m. until next Monday.
You can also have you photo taken free at a special photo booth on the mall’s third floor.
A unique part of the celebrations will be the giveaway of Best of Luck Bananas — two and a half foot long inflatable bananas the mall will be giving away free to shoppers Feb. 1 - 8.
On new year’s night, Feb. 7, the mall will be staging its annual countdown. From 8:30 - 10 p.m. Fairchild Radio will be broadcasting from the mall. And the Chinese god of fortune will be handing out personal blessings from 10:40 p.m. - 12:10 a.m. Fairchild TV will also be broadcasting as the minutes and seconds countdown to the new year.
But the celebrations at Aberdeen Centre do not end with after the countdown. The next morning (Feb. 8) the outdoor courtyard at the mall will feature a golden dragon and lion dance. The festivities then spread to other levels of the shopping centre.
Live performances then take centre stage over the following days with cultural showcase celebrations starting Feb. 8 with the Vancouver Academy of Dance (3 - 4 p.m.). On Feb. 13 the B.C. Chinese Music Association (1 - 2 p.m.) and Vancouver Beauty Dance World (3 - 4 p.m.) will perform. And on Feb. 14, Chen Ling Academy of Dance is scheduled from 1 - 2 p.m.
Meanwhile, over at the nwely-named CF Richmond Centre, the mall has a special lion dance ceremony on Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. which is being hosted in conjunction with the Richmond Chinese Community Society. The god of fortune will also be giving away away lucky red pockets to spread luck and good fortune for the new year.
And if you are feeling lucky, you might want to enter the mall’s contest to win one of three Golden Week Shopping Sprees worth $388. Simply fill out our ballot and drop it into the ballot box located at guest services. Contest ends Feb. 19.
Away from the shopping scene Richmond Public Library’s Brighouse branch (7700 Minoru Gate) is celebrating Chinese new year and the year of the monkey. First off, the Lantern Riddles Contest runs Feb. 9 - 22. Guess five riddles correctly for a chance to enter the raffle draw for prizes, including paintings, books and 3D decorations. The riddles for adults can be found on a kiosk on the main floor of the library. The riddles for kids are in the Kids’ Place Program Room.
On Feb. 20 from 1 - 4 p.m. there will be a puppet show , arts and crafts booths and lucky slogan writing.
And on Feb. 24 from 2 - 4 p.m. a fun talk on the Dream of the Red Chamber will feature an exploration of the factual and fictional elements in this classic novel.
And for a calming way to ease into the Chinese new year on Feb. 7 at 8 p.m., the Bodhi Meditation Centre (7740 Alderbridge Way) is holding a gala performance celebration which last year drew more than 2,000 people.
