Age no barrier for Lunar New Year performers

Though just seven years of age, traditional martial arts is a way of life for Fred Lan. The youngest participant in this year’s Sydney Chinese New Year Festival will delight onlookers with displays of kung fu moves throughout celebrations from 27 January to 12 February.

Since he was a toddler, Fred has trained with his father each day and attended weekly lessons on the traditions of combat practices like Tai Chi, Wushu and Kung Fu. He and other members of the NSW Chin Woo Athletic Association will perform at Customs House forecourt each weekend of the City of Sydney festival.

“I love doing martial arts and I can’t wait to show everyone at the festival my skills in punching, spinning and kicking,” Fred said.

“I’m a little nervous but mostly excited to be part of the Chinese New Year Festival.

“I’m excited to dress up in my costumes for my kung fu performances, and see lots of other people in traditional costumes doing different performances and dances.

“Chinese New Year is a lot fun, and I hope I get a lot of red packets with money!”

The Chinese New Year Festival, now in its 21st year, showcases a breadth of talent, young and old. 77-year-old Ms Zhang has spent more than a year choreographing the Chinese New Year performance for her over-50s dance troupe, the Hokien Huay Kuan Group.

“I’ve been taking part and choreographing routines for the Chinese New Year Festival for years, even when it was a small community festival in Chinatown,” Ms Zhang said.

“I love being part of the festival – it’s a real community celebration of performances and dancing, and can bond people together regardless of their age and background.

“Age is no barrier to fitness and having fun – the ladies in my dance group are the most mature in the festival – we’re all over 50 and still going strong!”

The Hokien Huay Kuan Group will be one of 35 community groups performing during the festival at Customs House forecourt, Martin Place and Chinatown.

More than 1,000 performers will bring the city’s streets to life with hip hop, folk dance, martial arts and traditional dance performances. The program will feature a curated schedule of 37 hours of free entertainment, including traditional dance, contemporary dance, choral performances, martial arts demonstrations and lion dances. Performers of Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese heritage will feature in the line-up.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the community was at the heart of the Chinese New Year Festival and the community performance program was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to enjoy the talents of those who celebrate the Lunar New Year.

“From its modest beginning 21 years ago to now – the largest and most vibrant lunar new year celebration outside Asia – our Chinese New Year Festival has always put community participation front and centre. It’s a great way of celebrating our city’s proud cultural diversity and talents,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Visitors and locals will be treated to old favourites such as lion dancing and martial arts, as well as contemporary performance that will showcase Asian tradition and culture in a uniquely Sydney fashion.”

Highlights include:

The City of Sydney Festival Dancers – 12 members of the Sydney Festival Dancers group will perform a mix of dance showcases across the festival, celebrating the rooster theme, including Tango, Calligraphy, Lion Dance and Showgirls.

Black Swan Dance Group – will present various dance pieces from traditional to modern dance including Chinese classical, folk, ballet, hip hop, Kpop and a children’s traditional dance

Dancekool – members of the first street dance studio in Sydney will perform a choreographed street dance performance and dance battles incorporating a Year of the Rooster theme

Lion Dances – the City of Sydney will present 11 nights of lion dances in Chinatown every Thursday-Sunday at 6pm and 6.50pm. The Dixon Street Chinese Committee will also bring plenty of drumming, flamboyance and humour with the Chinese Lion Dancers in Chinatown.

Australia Oriental Dance Group – based on the Chinese traditional dance heritage with the integration of modern western culture manifestations, the dance group will perform Tibet, Xianjiang, Bush and Fan dances.

Australian Martial Arts Academy– Master Ridvan Manav will lead a group in a display of martial arts, weaponry, self-defence, choreography and acrobatics.

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For media inquiries or images, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Advisor Elaine Kelly on 02 9265 9201 or [email protected] or Event Publicist Sandy Ellison on 0419 383 807 or [email protected]