Winter, 1997

Wednesday, January 15, 1997 - North Shore News - 21

Krom,
TO You

he New

Year lies

before
us — full of
bright prospects
and endless
possibilities.

From all 6,”

the retailers"at
Lonsdale Quay @
Market — a very
happy and

~ healthy 1997

to you -_

and yours.

Quay
Events

Winter Sidewalk Sale,
January 11-19: Don’t miss
out on savings of up to
70% off on selected
merchandise throughout
the second floor. It’s the
best deals of rhe New Year
during Lonsdale Quay

~ Marker’s annual winter

- sidewalk sale.

Lion Dance, February 8:
Celebrate the Chinese
New Year and enjoy the
excitement and drama of
the traditional Lion Dance
starting in the rotunda at
1:00 p.m.

Happy
Valentine’s Day —

b 14 Jf
February LB

The Lion Donce comes fo Lonsdale Quay on February 8th.

Byes elebrating

| versity
ew" the

4 year

Happy JRew Year! Bonne Année! Gung Hay Fat Choy!

"o Yhatter which language you choose, it’s time to

gélebrate the beginning of another new year. And

what an opportunity to enjoy the rich diversity of
Carfada’s many cultures.

In the early days, New Year’s Day was primarily a day of

reconciliation—an occasion to heal rifts. People were as

likely to say “Forgive me for the New Year” as “Happy
New Year”.

Today, our North American New Year's celebrations
are more about rejoicing and resolutions than
reconciliation. Traditionally New Year's Eve parties last
at least until the clock strikes midnight when
celebrations include singing, kissing and resolutions to

make the next year better than the last.

Around the globe, the New Year's
Festival is celebrated in different
ways. Jewish people all over the
world celebrate their new year, Rosh
Hashanah, at the end of the
summer. In Japan, New Year is the
greatest day of the year. At
midnight, the gong sounds 108
times cto purge the 108 human
weaknesses described in Buddha's
teachings.

Chinese New Year originally
marked the end of one farming year
and the beginning of a new one.
The date for their New Year is
determined by the Chinese lunar
calendar. According to the Western
calendar, it usually occurs some-
where between the middle of
January and the middle of February.

The Chinese Zodiac Chart is also
based on the cycles of the moon. A
different animal represents each year
for twelve years, then the cycle
repeats itself. Some Chinese believe
that people born under the sign of a
certain animal will exhibit chat
animal’s characteristics. In 1997,
Chinese New Year is February 7th.
This signals the end of the year of
the Rat and the beginning of the
year of the Ox.

The Chinese New Year is often
celebrated with the Dragon Dance.
A paper, silk and bamboo dragon
dances through streets to the sound
of drums, cymbals and the snap-
crackle-pop of firecrackers set off to
ward off evil spirits. The Lion
Dance also involves elaborate
costumes. It is performed in front
of stores to scare away evil spirits
and bring good wishes to the
shopkeepers.

Lonsdale Quay Market will be
bringing all che colour and
excitement of this magnificent
festival to the Quay on February
8th. Join in the Lion Dance
festivities, starting in the rotunda at

1:00 p.m. wien