Perth's Chinatown Gets $2m Revamp

The West Australian government will spend $2 million to revitalise Perth's Chinatown precinct with lanterns and road stencilling.

As part of the revitalisation, Chinese New Year celebrations will be expanded into Chinatown laneways in 2014 with a $50,000 state government grant to the Chung Wah Association.

Premier Colin Barnett said on Sunday the aim was to create a more vibrant precinct for families, locals and tourists.

"Chinatown is a popular location for people of all ages and an important business precinct in Northbridge that has been rundown for some time," he said.

"This investment will transform the area to its former glory of the 1980s and ensure it remains an exciting and culturally important destination for years to come."

The Chinatown precinct is bound by Nicks Lane and Roe and James Streets in Northbridge, and includes 13 restaurants and businesses.

The wider Perth City Link project will create five new connections between the city and Northbridge, which will encourage more people to pass through the Roe Street area every day, the premier said.

The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2015.

Metro Hotels Provides Spiritual Book to Guests as a Source of Inspiration

In a world-first, Australian-owned hotel chain Metro Hotels will place a book called Jing Si Aphorisms in all rooms in its NSW and Queensland properties, to enable guests to learn more about the Buddhist compassionate relief organisation, Tzu Chi Foundation.

The Foundation first came to the attention of the hotel chain when it went unasked to the aid of Ipswich residents, giving out care packages following the devastating 2011 floods. 

The hotel chain’s Ipswich property, Metro Hotel Ipswich International, built a relationship with the Foundation and offered to put books in its rooms so that its guests would learn more about the work and philosophy of the organisation.

Metro Hotels decided to extend this offer to other properties, with Metro Hotel Sydney Central General Manager Earl Muir yesterday accepting a special presentation of the books from Julia Wu, principal of Tzu Chi Foundation, Gold Coast, and Stephen Kan, CEO of Tzu-Chi Sydney.

The book, Jing Si Aphorisms, translates the essence of the Buddha’s teachings to exemplify life lessons. ‘Aphorism’ means original thought, or definition, and rather than being a religious text the book is meant to be an explanation of the Buddhist faith. 

Mr Muir said the Tzu Chi Foundation, which lives by the creed that it is more of a blessing to serve others than be served, believes in service to the community and has demonstrated its commitment to this belief through its actions in Ipswich.

“This organisation has shown tremendous compassion and service to Australian communities when they are in need and Metro Hotel believes it is an organisation which Australians may want to know more about,” he said.

“Placing Jing Si Aphorisms in our hotel rooms gives guests another reading option to the Holy Bible. The book is being supplied as a source of inspiration to our guests. This is not about converting people from one religion to another but rather promoting harmony and diversity.” 

See this press release and more at Metro Hotels News

A City Wide Celebration

Chinese language students with red lanterns ahead of the Chinese Moon Festival next week. (Image: Claudia Baxter)

IPSWICH'S Chinese community hopes to get the rest of the city involved in its first annual Moon Festival, to be held on September 21.

The Moon Festival is a traditional family celebration in the Chinese community, but one that has not been enjoyed in Ipswich until members of the Australian Culture Link Association's Alpha Chinese School got the ball rolling.

ACCLA president Windy Wu said the event aimed to promote the exchange of cultures, crafts, knowledge and ideas between ordinary people.

"In Chinese culture and tradition, Moon Festival is a day for family to be together and have fun," Ms Wu said.

"To the Chinese the full moon represents the whole family siting at the round table and there are many legends and stories associated with Moon Festival."

The event, to be staged at Ipswich Central State School Hall, will feature Chinese music, drama, singing, dancing and other cultural performances.

Members of the public will be able to enjoy the activities for free.

Ms Wu said the Australia China Culture Link Association was a non-profit organisation promoting cultural exchange between China and Australia through language lessons in both countries.

Alpha Chinese School is part of ACCLA and it has been providing local community classes of Chinese language and culture.

"This is the first time that the Chinese Moon Festival will be accessible to Ipswich, and we have created this event as an opportunity for all cultures to come together," Ms Wu said.

FAST FACTS

When: September 21 from 10am-noon

Where: Ipswich Central State School Hall, 2A Griffith Rd, Ipswich

Welcome to Ipswich - Where Buddhism is Big

HELPING HANDS: Julia Wu (front), the principal of Tzu Chi Foundation Australia based at the Gold Coast, and other members of the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation donate books to Metro Hotel Ipswich International and library services in Ipswich

THE caring ties that bind Ipswich and the Tzu Chi Foundation have been strengthened with an agreement between the city council and the Buddhist group. 

The Tzu Chi Foundation, which live by the creed that it is more of a blessing to serve others than be served, unexpectedly flew into Ipswich after the 2011 floods and has continued to help, regularly giving out care packages. 

After the floods, the group known as Blue Angels due to their distinctive outfits gave $500, blankets and other supplies to 2000 families. 
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale, who has developed a close relationship with Tzu Chi, is delighted with the agreement signed on Monday. 

"The founder of the organisation has over 10 million followers and this is the first agreement of its kind in the world," the Mayor said. 

"This is not a business agreement. It is an agreement based on care and compassion between a great city and a great organisation." 

Now, in a world-first, guests at the Metro Hotel International in Ipswich will be able to learn more about the Tzu Chi Foundation. 

Cr Pisasale and Ted Matthews from the Metro Hotel International yesterday accepted a special presentation from the Buddhist compassion relief organisation. 
Copies of a book on Jing Si Aphorisms will be in each of the hotel's 97 rooms and copies were also given to the city's library service. 

Cr Pisasale said the donation was yet another wonderful gift to the city by the foundation. 
"We are pleased to be able to accept these books which will provide the hotel's guests and Ipswich library patrons with the chance to learn more about the basics of the foundation," he said. 
"This book is in four different languages - English, Japanese, Italian and Chinese - and this hotel will be the first in the world to get it." 

In the book, Dharma Master Cheng Yen has translated the essence of the Buddha's teachings to exemplify life lessons. 

Cr Pisasale said the council looked forward to working closely with the Tzu Chi Foundation. 
"The foundation believes compassion is not only expressed through words but is to be realised through service to humanity," he said. 

"With integrity, compassion, joy and courage we will embrace a bright and promising future together. 
"People think that because Tzu Chi is a Buddhist organisation that they're there to sell Buddhism; they're not. 
"But part of their religion is care and compassion for the community." 

Buddhism Basics 

• Buddhism is a religion that encompasses beliefs and practices based on teachings attributed to the Buddha, meaning "the awakened one".
• The Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of India some time between the sixth and fourth centuries BC.
• He is recognised by Buddhists as an enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering and attain the sublime state of nirvana.

Sydney's Festival of the Winds 2013

Sydney's most colourful spring festival

Sydney's beloved kite flying festival, the Festival of the Winds, returns on Sunday 8th September 2013. 

Throughout the day there will be heaps of activities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Art displays, flying displays, a full day multicultural entertainment program, roving performers, circus clowns, a real butterfly house, children's rides and inflatables, puppet shows, kite making workshops, food stalls and much more.

One of the largest kite flying festivals in Australia, the Festival of the Winds attracts both local and international kite-makers, flyers and enthusiasts. International guests this year include flyers Karl Longbottom from England, Peter Clark, Craig Hansen and Debby Hansen from New Zealand and Liu Zhiping from Weifang, China. 

There will be fabulous delta, free form and fighter kites from the Australian Kite Flyer Society members who will be showcasing their own designs, huge hand-made character kites as well as kite designs from India, Malaysia, China and Japan.

2012 Festival of the Wind

All festival-goers are invited to fly their own kites alongside the experts; bring along your own kite, purchase one from the kite stalls in park or make your own kite by participating in one of the kite making workshops!

Accompanying the interactive kite activities is an all-day multicultural entertainment program with great music, dance and kid's shows MCed by Sydney's one and only, hilarious comic juggling percussionist; Joel Salom and his sidekick Eric the Dog!

Event highlights include;

• Yellomundee Family Band: a young Indigenous act performing both traditional and contemporary song and dance.
• Sankha Ridma Dance Ensemble: a Sri Lankan group, with dazzling costumes, rhythmic dance moves and phenomenal drumming.
• The Real Mexico: virtuoso Victor Valdes and his Mariachi group perform traditional Mexican music and dance.
• Strings on Fire: an experience like no other, consisting of tango, violins, circus tricks, music and fire stunts!
• Bukhu: Mongolian musician Bukhu will delight you with his unique throat singing and horse-head fiddle.
• Sydney Cook Island Dance Group: expect exuberant and vibrant hip swinging, arm swaying and log drumming.
• Free dance workshops for all to enjoy, including capoeira, zumba, dance fusion, tango and belly dancing.
• Kite Making workshops for all ages, as well as kite stalls.

Show Lo - Over The Limit - 2013 LIVE World Tour

SHOW LO is a famous Taiwanese singer, host, dancer and actor. He is also given the name ‘Dancing King of Asia’.

Born into a musical family of Taiwanese aborigine (Amis) ancestry, Show started playing drums at the age of 3 and performed onstage with his parents as a child. Show joined the ‘4 Heavenly Kings imitation contest’ in 1995 imitating Aaron Kwok, after which he managed to clinch 1st place. In 1996, Show along with 3 other contestants of the reality show, formed ‘Taiwan’s Four Heavenly Kings’, releasing their 1st album in the same year. In 1998, Show along with Ou Di (who is also one of the ‘Taiwan’s four heavenly kings’), formed “Romeo” and was active in it until year 2000.

In 2003, Show launched his solo debut and released his first album ‘ShowTime’ and has since worked on a variety of genres including hip hop and R&B. He has also collaborated with singers like Jolin Tsai, Elva Hsiao, Rainie Yang and many other celebrities.

In 2013, Show Lo is involved in his "Over The Limit World Live Tour 2013" not just as a performer but as the visual, musical and dance director, and on January 4 this year his brand new World Tour began in Taipei Arena.

In this year’s Sydney concert, to thank all the fans for their many years of support and love, Show will turn himself into a powerful leopard with beauty, and also the organizer JMS will put in a great effort to build the ‘Leopard Castle’ stage and will invite everyone to witness that Show constantly challenges himself in dancing and singing to his limit on the stage.

Limit one: physical limits, more than four-fifths of the whole performance will consist of the dance series of Show’s songs; therefore he will be constantly dancing and singing for two hours.
Limit two: Dance Types limit, Show will introduce varied styles of dancing throughout the entire show, including African dance, breaking, jazz. The concert will go Over The Limits, to create a unique concert experience.

In addition, Show as the concert dance director and creative director, has spent NT$800,000 on costumes using the concept of the five continents to build the "African Jungle Leopard set", "European Retro Palace set", " American hip-hop Black Gold set" and more - a total of five sets of clothing.

Show will party with you to witness the charm of Dancing without LIMITS and to feel the most fanatical force of the leopard!

When: FRIDAY 30 August 2013 - starts 8pm
Where: Sydney Entertainment Centre - 35 Harbour Street, Darling Harbour
Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/Show-Lo-Over-the-Limit-tickets/artist/1894571
How To Get There: http://www.sydentcent.com.au/Venue/Location/Getting-Here/

Staying in SYDNEY for Show Lo's 2013 Concert?

Need accommodation near Sydney Entertainment Centre?

Look no further than Metro Hotel Sydney Central - a 7 minute WALK to the Sydney Entertainment Centre whilst being close to other iconic Sydney attractions. 

Website: Metro Hotel Sydney Central

We are currently running these hotel specials to save you money!

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is offering this Capitol Theatre Hotel Package

For $165.00 per room per night you get:

• One night's accommodation in a Superior Queen Room
• Hot Buffet Breakfast for 2 adults
• Extended check-out to 12 noon the following day

• Book Online & Terms here: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/242
• Or call: 02 9281 6999

Want to try another hotel? Metro Hotel on Pitt, is only a 10 walk to Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Website: Metro Hotel on Pitt

We are currently running these hotel specials to save you money!

Metro Hotel on Pitt is offering this Winter Sydney CBD Getaway Hotel Package

For $134.00 per room per night you get:

• Free WiFi
• A bottle of wine on arrival
• Late check out of 12 noon
• Staying in a Standard\Single\double\twin room*

• Book Online & Terms here: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/306
• Or call: 02 9283 8088

Chinese New Year Twilight Parade

One of Sydney’s favourite events, the Chinese New Year Twilight Parade is the highlight of the New Year festivities.

Bringing a magical beauty to the summer evening, floats, lanterns and dancers weave their way, snake-like, from Sydney Town Hall down to Harbour Street, illuminated by stunning projections on city buildings.

Join us for the pre-parade entertainment, with dancers, acrobats and music. As evening descends, gasp in amazement as the giant snake comes alive, shedding its skin along our streets in a symbol of renewal.

This parade figurehead is drawn from an ancient Chinese story – Lady White Snake – telling of a snake goddess who lived briefly with mortals and was betrayed by her love and imprisoned for her powers, only to escape back to her proper realm.

A powerful creature in Asian and Western cultures, both revered and feared, the snake features in stories throughout history. You’ll see the native American rattle snake, Snakes and Ladders, a witty take on Eve, Cleopatra and other women who tangled with the snake – and plenty of other snakes alive!

There’s fabulous dancing, floats from our local Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese communities and our visitors from Shenzhen will be treating us to a special parade entries. Don’t miss out on a night to remember as you welcome the Year of the Snake.

WHEN: Sun 17 Feb at 8:00 pm

WHERE: Sydney Town Hall to Chinatown, 483 George Street, Sydney

Entertainment schedule on the night

7 – 8pm

• Pre-parade entertainment
• Dancers & acrobats and all sorts of snake like entertainment

8pm

• Eye Dotting Ceremony – Town Hall

8.15pm

• Parade starts

8pm – 1am

• Sydney’s buildings transform with magical projections illuminating their facades.

Post-parade fireworks

• Join us for a stunning fireworks display at Cockle Bay to scare off the previous year’s bad luck and mark the beginning of the Year of the Snake!

An accessible viewing area for people with mobility support needs is available on Harbour Street outside the Sydney Entertainment Centre from 7.15pm.

The nearest public transport access point is the Paddy’s Markets Light Rail stop.  If you require access to the viewing area, please contact City of Sydney on 9265 9218 or email gmarshall@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.

Chinese New Year Special at Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Celebrate Chinese New Year at Metro Hotel Sydney Central with this special at $215.00 (maximum 2 people per package) per night

• One nights accommodation in a Deluxe Room
• Lucky Red Bag Kit on arrival ( 1 kit per room)
• Daily Hot Buffet Breakfast for 1 or 2 adults
• Daily Free Wi Fi 

Book this Chinese New Year Special at Metro Hotel Sydney Central

View Metro Hotel Sydney Central
 
 Terms and Conditions:

• Offer is subject to availability.
• Cancellations or changes to bookings for this room will not be permitted for any reason.
• Once confirmed a booking cannot be refunded or altered in any way.
• Valid between 01st – 28th February 2013.
• Rates are not valid with any other offer.
• All other terms & conditions will be provided when making your booking

Sydney Chinese New Year Festival 2013

Slither into the Year of the Snake

In February 2013 don your best red outfit, adorn yourself with a bloodstone, find your inner schemer and slither your way into the Year of the Snake at one of Sydney's favourite festivals.

Sydney Chinese New Year Festival kicks off with a festive bang on Friday 8 February and closes with the splash of dragon boat racing on Sunday 24 February. And in between you'll find everything from art exhibits, film festivals and markets to lunar feasts at top Sydney restaurants and of course, the ever popular Chinese New Year Twilight Parade.

The Year of the Snake. Image from Sydney Chinese New Year website.

Sydney's festival lays claim to the title of the biggest Chinese New Year Festival outside mainland China. There's so much happening that Sydney needs more than two weeks to fit it all in. For full details of the more than eighty events and activities on offer - many of them free - see the website here, but below is a summary of the festival's not-to-be-missed highlights.

Highlights

Chinese New Year Markets

The festival begins with the authentic sights, sounds, smells and tastes of a Chinese marketplace, transforming Sydney's Belmore Park into a little piece of China.

The festival's opening weekend serves up food stalls, Chinese arts and crafts, entertainment, and the Chinese New Year AYAM Kitchen where former Master Chef favourites, Adam Liaw and Alvin Quah, will be giving cooking demonstrations and tips.

Image from Sydney Chinese New Year website.

When: Friday 8 February from 4pm to 10pm, Saturday 9 February from 11am to 7pm, Sunday 10 February from 11am to 5pm.
Where: Belmore Park, Eddy Avenue, Sydney (opposite Central Station).
Cost:Free


Festival Launch

In addition to the Friday night markets, there will be lion dances, firecrackers to scare away the last of the previous year's problems, and entertainment from the crew at SBS PopAsia, to celebrate the festival's official launch.

Image for Sydney Chinese New Year Festival website.

When: Friday 8 February from 6pm to 8pm
Where: Belmore Park, Eddy Avenue, Sydney (opposite Central Station).
Cost: Free


Twilight Parade

The magical, annual procession of floats, lanterns, acrobats and dancers will once again make its way from Sydney Town Hall to Harbour Street, to the backdrop of Sydney's beautifully illuminated buildings. There's also pre-parade entertainment and post-parade fireworks at Cockle Bay.

Image from Sydney Chinese New Year Festival website.

When and Where: Sunday 17 February. The evening begins at Sydney Town Hall at 7pm, with the parade from 8pm and festivities conclude with the Cockle Bay fireworks.
Cost: Free. There is also limited VIP seating available for $66 per person. Call 02 9265 9333 for information and to book.


Lunar Feasts

This year's festival introduces Lunar Feasts, where some of Sydney's top Asian restaurants will be offering set price meals to celebrate the new year. You can experience everything from vegan yum cha or an eight course lunch banquet to "Food of Tasteful Pleasure' or a premium deluxe banquet. These specials will be available throughout the festival, but bookings are essential and ensure you read the fine print (some conditions apply). You can find the list of participating restaurants and details of their specials here.

Image from Sydney Chinese New Year Festival website

When: From 8 to 24 February 2013
Where: Participating restaurants
Cost: Ranges from $20 to $50 per person.


Dragon Boat Races

See the powerful yet poetic spectacle of dragon boat racing on the last weekend of the festival. The 12 metre long boats seat twenty paddlers along with a sweep and a drummer. Competition will be fierce and exciting at Darling Harbour.

Image from Sydney Chinese New Year Festival website.

When: Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 February 2013.
Where: Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour
Cost: Free