On Sunday 8th February, the fourteenth day of Chinese New Year, the first ever Chinese New Year Festival was held in Kingsway, Glen Waverley. Hong De Lions were joined by the Khuan Yee Lion Dance Association in several performances during the day from 12 pm until 9 pm. The Hong De Lion Dance Association would like to thank 'Monash Chinese Events Organising Committee Inc' and the City of Monash for hosting the event. Also to Vincent Chow for securing us for the event and Susie Wickes for event management.
Hong De lions opened with a stage performance at 12:20pm. Due to rain, the first Khuan Yee 'jong' (high poles) performance was delayed until 2pm. Several VIP's including the member for Bayswater, representatives from the City of Monash, Chinese Consulate and The Liberal Party were present for the spectacular performance by Khuan Yee, followed by a 4 lion performance by both Khuan Yee and Hong De. Both teams then performed shop-to-shop along Kingsway. Hong De were also busy all day at the stall giving out balloons that day. At 5pm, members of both Hong De and Khuan Yee ran a cultural workshop on lion dance drumming. At 6:10pm, Khuan Yee again performed on jongs to a larger crowd than the first performance as the weather was better towards the end of the day. The day ended with a night lantern parade with the FCA dragons and the CAV waist drum team. The event was well attended, the rain did not deter on-lookers from staying to enjoy the festivities.
More photos from the day....
Youtube link to HongDe stage performance
Youtube link to the first jong performance by Khuan Yee - the first part and the ending has been edited out to fit the 10 minute limit on Youtube
Youtube link to the second jong performance by Khuan Yee - unedited - Part 1
Youtube link to the second jong performance by Khuan Yee, joined by Hong De lions at the end - Part 2
Youtube link to a Montage of the Festival
Link to a report written about the festival on Waverley Leader
Link to photos on Digital Photography Review taken by Ananda Sim