According to Chinese traditions, the New Year has been one the most important festivals in Chinese culture for the past 5,000 years. This year, for the third time running, the VSB SWIS Program's Byng Inclusion Project 3B will help celebrate with their Year of the Dragon Cultural Fest at Kerrisdale Community Centre.

The event will take place on January 28 from 2 - 4 PM. The first hour will feature colorful and vibrant live performance including Chinese Dai and Manchurian dances, Kung Fu, a parade of the zodiac creatures, Chinese New Year songs, Chinese instrumentals and a hip hop Jazz dance.

The second half of the program will be interactive. Participants will get a chance to try their hand  calligraphy and spring couplet writing, Chinese arts and crafts, Zodiac Labyrinth, Lantern Puzzles, Bowl of Fortune as well as face painting. There will also be seven community information booths to provide community resources for both old and young. During the event, volunteer parents from Lord Byng, Prince of Wales and Churchill secondary school will serve festival goers with Chinese New Year specialty goodies.

The Year of the Dragon Cultural Fest is organized by the VSB SWIS Program: Byng Inclusion Project 3B in partnership with Kerrisdale Community Center and S.U.C.C.E.S.S..  Students, parents and  school staff from Lord Byng, Prince of Wales, University Hill, Kitsilano, Vancouver Technical, Churchill, Kitsilano and Seimahmoo secondary schools as well as Trafalgar, Queen Elizabeth, Queen May, University Hill, Southlands elementary schools and UBC Kids Club are all volunteering  and collaborating in the planning, organizing and implementation of the festival. There are also seven service providers on site to deliver information and resources to the community the VSB SWIS Program, Kerrisdale Community Center,  S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority , Kits Neighborhood House and MOSAIC.

To learn more or to get involved, contact Janet Chung.