The Comox Valley Mutlicultural Society is kicking off the Year of the Snake with a series of celebrations on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
Lunar New Year day this year is on Jan. 29. This celebration comes from Asia, but is now celebrated world wide. Based on the lunar calendar, the new year is celebrated during the first new moon of the calendar year. Celebrations typically last for 15 days, ending on Lantern Festival Day. Most celebrants take the opportunity to wish for a prosperous and lucky coming year.
The society has held celebrations before, but had to put the tradition on pause through the pandemic years.
"We believe that it is time to bring back all kinds of cultural celebrations for more joy in our community," a release from the society says. "We invite whole community to join and celebrate with us, to enjoy and experience a fun Lunar New Year."
The activities will be co-hosted by the society, the Farmers Market, Evergreen Club and Maplepool Campground. On Friday, Jan. 31, a concert will be held at the Florence Filberg Centre for those who do not like to drive after dark. The show ill feature Suona Gang, a band from Taiwan.
"Founded in 2020, and originally known as Crazy Suona, this creative ensemble primarily features a traditional Chinese wind instrument, the suona. The instrument originated from the Zurna, a Middle Eastern musical instrument. The band actively experiments with diverse sounds, creating a quirky and slightly mischievous musical style. Suona Gang continuously pushes the boundaries of cross genre experimental compositions, exploring the extensive possibilities of suona music," press material reads. "
Suona Gang will use the theme of 'food, clothing, housing, transportation and entertainment' as the basis of their work. Instead of using traditional Lunar New Year songs as the prototypes, they dismantle various traditional New Year’s activities and extract the historical significance and cultural spirit of them. With the changes in family composition and the stimulation of cultural and human exchanges, the new generation’s New Year customs have emerged, just like the works of Suona Gang.
The band plays a mix of pop, jazz, and traditional folk music. They navigate the space between cultural heritage and contemporary innovation.
For those who cannot make the celebrations on Friday, Saturday will also be filled with family-friendly music and activities. From 10 a.m. until noon, organizers have planned a musical flash mob at the Farmers Market. The celebration will end Saturday night with a full concert at the Old Church Theatre. The show will be from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.