Chinese New Year 2012 in Beeston, Nottingham

2012 is the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese zodiac

The Chinese new year falls on 23rd of January in 2012. Each of the five elements, water, earth, fire, metal and wood represent the dragon and they alternate each time the dragon sign occurs. The zodiac signs rotate every 12 years so each dragon element only occurs every 60 years making them very special. This year it is the water dragon. People born in the year of the water dragons are more perceptive and patient than other dragons.

Beeston will host a celebration for the 2012 Chinese New Year - the year of the Dragon.

The celebration for 2012 will feature a host of entertainment from Chinese, Japanese and Tibetan cultures - including the Beijing trained dance artist Fan Mang Mang to celebrate the link from the Beijing to the London 2012 Olympic games.

Beeston Square, Lantern trail & Bartons cultural day Programme

Saturday 28th January 2012 10am - 4pm

Beeston Square:-

• 10:00 - Meet the giant Chinese God of Good Fortune 'Choi Sun'
• 10:15 - Traditional Lion Dance with 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu School
• 10:30 - Opening ceremony
• 10:35 - Red Lantern Dance by Du Dan
• 10:40 - Chinese Dance inspired performance by Push dance group
• 10.40 - Procession from Broadgate Park to the square
• 10:50 - Kung Fu demonstration by the Praying Mantis school
• 11:10 - Chinese New Year family procession
• 11:15 - Rylands Junior School dance performance
• 11:30 - Dragon Dance by the Chinese Student and Scholars Association
• 11:45 - Chinese Community Association Choir and Tai Chi Fan Dance
• 12:10 - Diablo performance by Fan Mang Mang
• 12:20 - Tibetan dance by Du Dan
• 12:30 - Marshall arts demonstration by Chilwell Olympia Karate School
• 12:50 - Traditional sword dance with Fan Mang Mang
• 13:00 - Event continues in Bartons

Beeston Chinese Lantern Trail, Chilwell Road - Saturday 28th January 2012 10am - 3.30pm

Follow the Free lantern trail throughout the town and visit all businesses displaying lanterns in their window. If you collect enough stamps, you can claim your free gift at the Chinese Cultural Event at Bartons from 12.00 until 3.30 pm. Collect your lantern trail instructions and map from Beeston Square during the morning event - from 10.00 until 1.00pm.

Bartons Chinese Cultural Day Programme - Saturday 28th January 2012 12pm - 4pm

Bartons are inviting families and individuals to attend a Free afternoon of interactive workshops and performances. Activities and shows will be suitable for all ages and abilities.

Bartons is a 5 minute walk from Beeston Square along Chilwell Road. Bartons: 63 High Road, Chilwell. NG9 4AJ. There is an Indigo 5 Barton Bus Service which is available from the Beeston Bus Station every 7minutes, £2 public parking is also available on site at Bartons.

A newly devised programme of puppet, music and storytelling has been devised by musician and storyteller Ling Peng and puppeteer Melvyn Rawlinson for the 2012 Chinese New Year celebrations:

• See vintage puppets of the Beijing Opera as they gracefully express the Chinese Classical Music played by Ling Peng on Erhu
• Bicycle Stories - 'How the Chinese years were named' - with Melvyn Rawlinson. A traditional Japanese style of storytelling from the beginning of the last century when peddling sweet sellers enticed their young customers with promises of fantastic stories told with picture cards, from the back of their bike. Hear how the animals won their place in the Chinese Zodiac, presented in this traditional 'kamishibai' style
• Ling Peng will tell the enchanting story of the Dragons Pearl... a traditional and haunting tale from Chinese culture
• You can also enjoy the traditional Lion Dance with the Notts and Derby 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu School and meet our elegant Geisha or giant God of Good Fortune 'Choi Sun'

Bartons Chinese Cultural Day Programme - Saturday 28th January 2012 12pm - 4pm

• 12:30 - Lion Dance in the TH Barton Hall
• 12:30 - God of Good Fortune, Choi Sun
• 1:00 - Beijing Puppets and Music in the Sports and Social Club
• 1:20 - Bicycle Stories in the Sports and Social Club
• 1:30 - Tai Chi workshop in TH Barton Hall
• 1:30 - Elegant Geisha
• 2:00 - Beijing Puppets and Music in the Sports and Social Club
• 2:20 - The Story of the Dragons Pearl in the Sports and Social Club
• 2:30 - God of Good Fortune, Choi Sun
• 2:40 - Lion Dance in the TH Barton Hall
• 3:00 - Beijing Puppets and Music in the Sports and Social Club
• 3:20 - Bicycle Stories in the Sports and Social Club
• 3:30 - Tai Chi workshop in TH Barton Hall
• 3:30 - Elegant Geisha

• Chinese New Year 2012 Celebrations at Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham >>