Our pick of events across London celebrating the Chinese New Year of the Rooster...
Royal China
A red envelope will be handed out at Royal China restaurants across London on Saturday. Each ‘lei see’, as they are pronounced in Cantonese, will offer a fortune message and some contain prizes such as a voucher for a complimentary meal up to the value of £100, a bottle of Champagne, and a complimentary glass of wine.
Red envelopes are usually presented at social events such as weddings and the Lunar New Year. The red colour of the envelope symbolises good luck and is said to ward off evil spirits. The restaurants will also be offering a special Chinese New Year menu and will host Lion Dance performances to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Rooster.
Saturday, January 28. Details: theroyalchina.co.uk
Red Dragonfly Productions
After launching their Taking Flight competition six-months-ago and uncovering three debut writers from British South East Asian, South Asian, and South East Asian communities, the Red Dragonfly team has chosen three plays to be performed on one evening. Sammy Wong, writer of Ketchup, was born and raised in Longsight, Manchester to a Vietnamese Chinese family. Her plays offer a humorous look at identity and just what food can say about us.
The other productions include Hema Anjali by Chandni Lakhani and 100% of Nothing is Nothing by Joan C. Guyll.
New Diorama Theatre, 15 - 16 Triton Street, Regent's Place, NW1 3BF, Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5. Details: 020 7383 9034, newdiorama.com
Chinese New Year Parade
To celebrate changing culture overtime the theme will this year be China: Past and Present. The parade will begin at 10am at Charing Cross Road and make its way to Shaftesbury Avenue with six hand-crafted floats and the largest gathering of Chinese lion and dragon dance performers in the UK. Events and performances will be taking place at Trafalgar Square between 11am and 5.30pm, including dance, puppetry, acrobatics, marital arts and drumming.
Sunday, January 29. Details: visitlondon.com
Ping Pong Dim Sum
This restaurant was founded in the year of the Rooster and are dedicating two weeks to celebrating the New Year. They are promising entertainment, activities, new cocktails and special dishes but aren’t giving away any more than that.
Saturday, January 28 until Sunday, February 12. Details: pingpongdimsum.com
V&A Museum of Childhood
Visitors will be able to take part in Chinese Opera mask making, costume and calligraphy workshops. There will also be traditional and modern instrumental and dance performances. Other events at the museum include Board Games Rediscovered, ABC Photography, Searching for Ghosts and various drop in activities.
Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA, Saturday, February 11, 11.30am until 4.30pm. Details: 020 8983 5200, vam.ac.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here