Sydneysiders will be wowed by a stunning fire dragon performance at this year’s Chinese New Year Twilight Parade.
The 18-metre red-and-gold dragon, which 20 performers in colourful costumes will steer, twist and turn to the tune of gongs and drums, has a 4000-year-old history in the town of Huanglongxi, on the outskirts of Chengdu, in central China.
‘Close proximity’ fireworks, which burn at a much lower temperature than traditional fireworks, will shower the dragon in a dramatic explosion of light at the beginning and end of the parade, at Sydney Town Hall and Darling Harbour.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said this year’s parade would be Sydney’s biggest and brightest yet, thanks to a partnership with the city of Chengdu.
“The dragon’s ride from Town Hall to Darling Harbour will be a thrilling centrepiece to the City’s Lunar New Year celebrations,” the Lord Mayor said.
“With the throb of percussion and over 2,900 performers from Sydney and around the world dressed in dazzling costumes and on amazingly decorated floats, the parade will be truly spectacular.
“Seen by millions of people across Australia and throughout Asia, it’s no wonder our Twilight Parade has become one of the major events on Sydney’s cultural calendar.”
The fire dragon performance, which was awarded the status of ‘national intangible cultural heritage’ in China in 2010, will play a starring role among a group of 130 performers from Chengdu, Sydney’s official partner city for the 2012 celebrations.
“The dragon is a very spiritual animal in Chinese mythology and this ancient performance expresses both the strong spirit of the Chinese nation and the celebratory atmosphere of the Chinese New Year Festival,” said Mr Zhu Yuan, performance director from the Huanglongxi Fire Dragon and Lion Club.
“We are looking forward to bringing this beautiful and unusual piece of Chengdu to Australia as a very special way of celebrating the Year of the Dragon.”
Close proximity fireworks are used throughout China in performances and parades as a spectacular alternative to traditional explosives. Because the combustion point is lower, the sparks cool mid-air and are only slightly warm to the touch.
Mr Zhu and his performers are working with the team behind the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks, Foti International Fireworks, to ensure the fireworks are safe and spectacular when they are lit on Sydney’s streets this Sunday, 29 January.
“It’s always exciting to be involved in performances that have such cultural significance and are steeped in history and tradition,” said Tino Foti, from Australia’s leading pyrotechnics team.
The highlight of each Chinese New Year celebration, Sydney’s annual Twilight Parade is a feast for the senses with dynamic live music, amazing floats, dazzling costumes, beautiful illuminated zodiac lanterns and much more.
The Parade is a great night out for young and old, with a unique mix of traditional and contemporary performances. More than 2,900 local and international performers will feature in this year’s street spectacular.
Alongside the Chengdu performances, crowds gathered along the Parade route will be treated to dragons from East and West, stunning floats, martial artists, circus performers, Chinese musicians, ballroom dancers, live art installations and visiting groups from Beijing and Shanghai.
Brilliant light projections on three buildings along the Parade route will turn the City centre into a mini-Hong Kong, while the Parade will literally end with a bang in Darling Harbour with a fireworks show.
Limited VIP seating is available for the Twilight Parade – $60pp + GST.
To book, call: 02 9265 9333.
Date: 30 January
