Chinese New Year - Liverpool 2018

LIVERPOOL'S Chinese New Year celebrations are already underway as thousands of lanterns line City Centre streets and buildings have turned red to mark the Year of the Dog. The main activity will take place until Sunday, 18 February 2018, as brand new projections light up Chinatown, in a special show called:- 'Jingwei's Legacy'; a story focused on cultural diversity and spreading the message of hope that communities can live together harmoniously regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.

Commissioned by Liverpool City Council, digital experts Illuminos are behind the lumiere creation, which is 12 minutes long and takes over the:- Chinese Arch, the Black-E and The Arch (formerly known as the Scandinavian Hotel). They have worked in partnership with local arts organisations Pagoda Arts and First Take.

This year's Chinese New Year celebrations form part of the China Dream season, in partnership with University of Liverpool, which is set to be 1 of the highlights of the Liverpool 2018 programme; celebrating 10 years since the City held the title of European Capital of Culture. Highlights of the season include the:- 'China's First Emperor and the Terracotta Warriors' exhibition at World Museum and free contemporary exhibition:- 'PRESENCE' A Window into Chinese Contemporary Art, at St George's Hall, which features work from 19 of the most exciting emerging and established artists who hail from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the diaspora.

The buildings/locations which have turned red to mark Chinese New Year are:- St George's Hall, Town Hall, Cunard Building, Everyman and Playhouse Theatres, Central Library - Picton Colonnade, Mersey Tunnel Ventilation Tower GDB (The Strand), St Luke's (Bombed Out Church), The Rocket Flyover, World Museum Liverpool, Greystone Road Bridge (over M62, Knowsley), Wallasey Town Hall, Birkenhead Town Hall, Liverpool ACC (NOT 15 February to 21 February due to prior event booking). They will remain red until Wednesday, 28 February 2018.

Saturday, 17 February 2018

7pm Entertainment will start from 7pm as:- 'Hung Gar Kung Fu' wow crowds with an illuminated dragon and Lion dance. There will also be performances by Chinese and British students in traditional Chinese dress and inspired by the:- 'Warring State and Hip Hop' a partnership by Pagoda Arts, Everyman Playhouse and Liverpool Confucius Institute.

7.30-8.30pm The twelve minute projections will be shown 4 times on a loop

Sunday, 18 February 2018

Parade times:-

► 11.45am Dragon and Lion parade begins, starting from the Blackie.

► 12.15pm Unicorn parade starts outside the Chung Wah supermarket on Nelson Street.

Both parades will meet around 1pm in Great George Square where a firecracker display will take place. They will then continue on their separate routes and finish from 3.30pm.

► Great George Square Stage 11:30am to 6pm.

► 11:30am to 12:15pm Kwong Tam School of Tai Chi (in association with See Yep Association)

► 12:20pm to 1pm Flower Drums, Fan Tai Chi, Dance and Happy Dance! (Pagoda Arts)

► 1:05pm to 1:45pm Firecracker Display - Lucky Man, Dragon and Unicorn Parades.

► 1:45pm to 2pm Martial Arts Demonstration (Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Friendship Association.)

► 2:05pm to 2:25pm Traditional Chinese Fan Dance and Cheongsam Costume Show (Wah Sing Community Centre Dancers.)

► 2:35pm to 2:45pm Chinese Red Lantern Dance (Friendship Dancers.)

► 2:50pm to 3:20pm 24 Festival Drums (Liverpool Guild of Students.)

► 3:30pm to 4pm Chinese Fusion Dance Workshop - have a go! (Movema Dance.)

► 16:00pm to 5pm A showcase of traditional and contemporary music, dance and song by Chinese students (Everyman and Playhouse and Liverpool Confucius Institute.)

► 5pm to 5:30pm Terracotta Warriors Love - A performance inspired by the fusion of Chinese Opera, Martial arts and contemporary dance. (Pagoda Arts, Everyman and Playhouse and Liverpool Confucius Institute.)

► 5:30pm to 6pm Chinese Fusion Dance (Movema Dance and 24 Festival Drums, Liverpool Guild of Students.)

► Chinese Arch/Nelson Street.

► 6.30pm Chinese New Year lumiere - Jingwei's Legacy.

► 6.40pm Pyrotechnic display.

► 6.45pm Event ends.

The event is organised by Liverpool City Council and is supported by the:- University of Liverpool, Liverpool BID Company, Liverpool ONE, Stagecoach, Merseyrail, Pagoda Arts, First Take, Arts Council England and the COoL Collective.

The Chinese New Year celebrations forms part of the Liverpool 2018 events programme which is supported by the City Region Combined Authority with ₤5 million from the Single Investment Fund.

For more information about timings, activities, family workshops or the projections, visit:- ChinaDreamLiverpool.Com or follow @culturelpool on Twitter or Culture Liverpool on Facebook.

Road closures:-

► 7pm until 9pm - Saturday, 17 February 2018:-

Great George Street from Duke Street to Upper Parliament Street.

Upper Duke Street from Rodney Street (Westbound only.)

► 6am until 9pm on Sunday, 18 February 2018:-

Gt. George Street (from its Junction with St James Street to its Junction with Duke Street), Duke Street (from its Junction with Gt. George Street to its Junction with Berry Street), Upper Duke Street (from its Junction with Berry Street to its Junction with Rodney Street), Berry Street (from its Junction with Leece Street/Renshaw Street to its Junction with Duke Street), Nelson Street (from its Junction with Gt. George Street to its Junction with Upper Pitt Street), Grenville Street South (from its Junction with Bailey Street to its Junction with Cornwallis Street), Sankey Street (entire length), Griffiths Street (entire length), Seel Street (from its Junction with Colquitt Street to its Junction with Berry Street), Back Berry Street (entire length), Knight Street (from its Junction with Berry Street to its Junction with Rodney Street), Roscoe Street (from its Junction with Leece Street to its Junction with Upper Duke Street), Bold Place (entire length), Roscoe Lane (entire length), Back Knight Street (entire length), Cookson Street (entire length), Pitt Street (entire length), Upper Pitt Street (from its Junction with Nelson Street to its Junction with Hardy Street), York Street (entire length), Raffles Street (entire length), Bold Street (from its Junction with Berry Street to its Junction with Newington/ Renshaw St/Leece. Access to business/residents will be allowed up to 10am)

► Hanover Street:-  Due to the closure of Berry Street access to businesses on Hanover Street will be severely restricted from Seel Street. It is recommended that any deliveries etc. are made before 10am on the day.

► Great George Street closure requires a bus and traffic diversion for the duration of the event.

► Alternative Route will be via: - either Leece Street, Hardman Street, Myrtle Street, Catherine Street, Upper Parliament Street and Great George Street; or Upper Parliament Street, Grove Street, Oxford Street, Mount Pleasant, Rodney Street or Clarence Street to follow other locally signed diversion routes.

► All closures will be clearly signposted.