Join us on July 1 2023 at BC Legislature Grounds 10:45am-11:30am.

Event sponsored by Hoy Sun Ning Yung Benevolent Association. This event a features the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club

10:45am - Rattle drums handed out

11:00am - Simultaneous drumming (6 mins)

11:06am - Lion dance by @hungfutvic

11:26am - Drumming for a better life (3 mins)

Organized by Legacy 150 Celebrations Society, a Vancouver-based non-profit organization registered both federally and provincially, Canada Day Drumming is a community-building event that strives to build conversations that deepen understanding, strengthen connections, and unite fellow Canadians from various cultures and backgrounds. By uniting participants from all communities and cultural backgrounds through percussive arts, this event aims to promote diversity, multicultural harmony, peace, and love for a better world – as reflected in the mission statement.

https://www.facebook.com/CDDYYJ

Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club will be performing for a second time at the Canada Day festivities at 1:45PM in front of the main stage. 

The month of May marks Asian Heritage Month, and we are very pleased to announce the Second Annual Victoria Chinatown Museum Society (VCMS) “Awakening Chinatown” cultural celebration will take place in Victoria’s historic Chinatown May 28, 2023.

The inaugural 2022 “Awakening Chinatown”, presented by the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society, in collaboration with the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), Pacific Opera Victoria (POV) and local Chinatown businesses, was a roaring success. The event drew thousands of participants through the day, bringing much needed exposure and engagement to the businesses of Chinatown. 

The Victoria Chinatown Museum Society (VCMS) is dedicated to educating and fostering learning about the Chinese community, its living history and evolving culture through the creation of a museum, living and/or permanent, in Victoria’s Chinatown, and through engaging with the broader community. Awakening Chinatown was spawned in 2022 as one of the actions taken towards satisfaction of these goals, and to support the Chinatown businesses.

Building on the success of the inaugural event, “Awakening Chinatown” has become an annual celebration marking the last Sunday of Asian Heritage Month, a Chinese cultural celebration of kung-fu, dance, music, and art, and a reminder of the diverse shops and eateries in the expanded Chinatown precinct, now a designated National Historic Site.

This wonderful tribute reminds us of the contributions that Chinese Canadians have made, and continue to make, to the rich cultural tapestry of this city, province, and country.  

THE CELEBRATION 

The Victoria Chinatown Museum Society (VCMS), Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club (WSKFC), Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), The Downtown Victoria Business Association, local businesses and Pacific Opera Victoria (POV) are coming together to hold the 2nd Annual Awakening Chinatown celebration. This special event will be held on Sunday, May 28th from 12:00-5:00pm in Victoria’s historic Chinatown. This event marks a wonderful annual tribute to the contributions that Chinese Canadians have, and continue to make, to the rich cultural tapestry of this city. Last year, the inaugural event brought hundreds to the area. Awakening Chinatown 2023 promises to again invite Victorians to rediscover the vibrancy of the Chinatown community and the incredible shopping and dining opportunities that it offers. 

WAYS YOU CAN PARTICIPATE:

Support the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club by offering a Hong Bao (cash donation) hanging in your doorway for the Lion Dancers to “eat” during their performance, bringing good luck and fortune. The VCMS will provide an envelope, lettuce, string and lantern for your participation.

Set up a table outside your place of business and  offer a special “Awakening Chinatown” item or special during the day for Guests to purchase.  The VCMS will provide a table, chair and red table cloth for your participation.

PLEASE CONTACT THE VCMS VIA EMAIL: vicchinesemuseum@gmail.com or speak to a Volunteer when they visit your business before the Event to coordinate your participation or support for Sunday, May 28th.

CELEBRATIONS INCLUDE:
 

• Dotting of the Eyes Ceremony to “Awaken the Lions”, an allegorical awakening of Chinatown itself
• The beauty and rhythm of traditional martial arts and lion dancing as demonstrated by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club
• The Lion Procession to bring good fortune and prosperity to Chinatown businesses  
• The timeless grace of traditional Chinese dance as performed by the Victoria Chinese Culture Club Dancers, directed by Dr. Hua Lin 
• Performances by acclaimed Pacific Opera Victoria artists from the historic balconies of Chinatown
• Opportunities to learn Chinese arts and crafts and to play Chinese games
• Demonstrations of Chinese calligraphy and fortune telling
• Ehru (traditional Chinese spike fiddle) music
• Exposure for Chinese service and community cultural organizations
• Involvement by local businesses offering a special “Awakening Chinatown” item or special during the day

SCHEDULE OF THE DAY'S EVENTS:

12:00-12:15                           Welcome remarks, introduce VIPS, context of Asian Heritage Month 

12:15-12:30                           Ceremony of Waking the Lions: Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club & VIPS

12:30-12:50                           Victoria Chinese Cultural Dancers performances

12:50 - 4:00                           Lions parade brings good fortune to businesses, defining traditional
      Chinatown area.

 ACTIVATIONS:       Kids' crafts, chinese games, calligraphy, face painting 

 STAGE PROGRAMMING OF CULTURAL PERFORMANCES: 

4:00-4:20                            Intro and welcome POV Opera singers, Chinese Dance Victoria, Happy
    Drum Group, Victoria Society of Chinese Performers (Chinese seniors
    choir), Taiko Drumming, Justin Louie (magician), Alex Chen, Luka
    Kawabata, Sarah Sum (opera singers), House of Rice (Chinese drag
    performance)

4:20 -5:00                           Closing remarks and thank you, encourage audience to visit businesses, etc