CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR AT THIS SENIORS CENTRE

THE NIAGARA MULTI-FOLK-ARTS SONG AND DANCE ENSEMBLE WILL BE PERFORMING AT 2P.M. ON JAN. 29

Ring in the Chinese New Year in St. Catharines.

The Niagara MultiFolk-Arts Song and Dance Ensemble will be hosting a performance at the Dunlop Centre on Jan. 29 at 2 p.m.

The performance will feature traditional Chinese folk dancing, ballroom, and more.

"Many years ago, when the association ran things we had at the Scottish country dancing and the Irish dancers in here before," said Simone Phelan, St. Catharines' older adult co-ordinator. "But this is the first time we've had like a big event with a Chinese group."

"This is our first time having a Chinese New Year celebration," added Koby Vanyo, the city's programs supervisor. "We're actually doing it one weekend after the actual Chinese New Year because they'll have a lot of actual events and family time and that sort of thing."

For the Chinese New Year event, there is no registration required.

This performance is part of an ongoing partnership between the dance ensemble and Dunlop, as the group will be at the centre every Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. afterward to teach dance.

Ling Wang, executive director of the Niagara Multi-Folk-Arts Song and Dance Ensemble, said the group has been around for about 10 years, but had to take a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, Wang said, they're looking for more members.

The group, Wang explained, is typically more about getting people up and moving and having fun, rather than performance.

"They come and join us, and then when there is any cultural event or like a cultural holidays, we try to organize a performing event for people to watch and see what we're doing," she said. "This is also a good way to motivate people...it improves their confidence

and their level of happiness."

She said the mission of the ensemble is to enrich the cultural life of local Asian newcomers, and serve as "a bridge to strengthen mutual understanding and cross-cultural connections within the community. "

A large percentage of the dance ensemble is made up of people who are Chinese. This is why, Wang said, it's important for them to perform out in the community like this; to help bridge the gap.

She said other events that are typically held to celebrate Chinese New Year continue to be cancelled due to the pandemic, but the dance ensemble has been practising since September and is ready to go.

"We just thought it's an opportunity for people to mingle together and showcase our achievements so far," she said. " It continues to be our goal to maintain an ongoing platform for local Asian residents to socialize and keep mentally and physically fit by participating

in activities by means of performing arts, to provide immigrants access to cultural opportunities, and promote civil identity and cultivate a strong sense of belonging."

There is no registration required for the Chinese New Year event, and there will be light refreshments served.

Residents over 50 can attend the following weeks' dance sessions by purchasing an annual older adults centre membership for only $58.70 to enjoy programs all year long.