DARLINGTON CELEBRATES CHINESE NEW YEAR

CELEBRATION of Chinese New Year is set to take place in Darlington on Monday 7th February.

Students from Hummersknott School and Language College, who are studying for a GCSE in Mandarin, are busy preparing for the celebrations. They will be performing a dragon dance followed by a Thai Chi demonstration in Joseph Pease Place, in the Market Square in Darlington on Monday 7th February.

To kick off the celebrations, which start at 1pm and continue for an hour, the Northern Dragon Lion Dance Team will perform the ‘Lion Dance’ which will include the special ritual lion dance – a dance which is often performed at special occasions where a large colourful dragon dances enthusiastically to music and involves the Dragon trying to solve a puzzle.

Steve Harker, Darlington Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “It will be great fun to celebrate Chinese New Year in this way – the pupils at Hummersnott School and Language College have been rehearsing their dance routine and Thai chi demonstration in preparation for the event and I am very much looking forward to their performance.
“I hope every-one comes along to support them and join in with the celebration.”

For further information about the event call Marion Bynoe, Darlington Council’s events development manager on (01325)388151/07966 347095