It’s the lunar new year of the rat and, around the Tri-Cities, there are a number of feasts and activities to celebrate the changeover of the Chinese calendar.
Jan. 23, the Glen Pine Pavilion hosts a Chinese lunch featuring sounds from the Golden Maple Culture and Arts Association, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the seniors centre (1200 Glen Pine Crt., Coquitlam). The cost is $13.30; sign up by calling 604-927-4386.
You can also learn how to prepare three traditional dishes — Chinese lions head (braised pork meatballs), abalone lucky bag with XO sauce and sesame balls for dessert — with cook Jessica Yue, on Jan. 29 at Mackin House (1116 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). The Coquitlam Heritage Society workshop, starting at 6:30 p.m., requires registration at $15 per person via coquitlamheritage.ca.
Coquitlam author Lindsay Wong will be at the City Centre branch of the Coquitlam Public Library (1169 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) to discuss her debut award-winning book, The Woo Woo: How I Survived Ice Hockey, Drug Raids, and My Crazy Chinese Family, published in 2018 by Arsenal Pulp Press. Her free talk in Room 136 is from 2 to 4 p.m. and registration is required: coqlibrary.ca.
As well, you can hear a traditional Chinese music concert — performed by members of the Arts Musical Studio — at the City Centre branch on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. Registration is also encouraged via coqlibrary.ca or call 604-554-7345.
The lunar new year begins Saturday, Jan. 25 and ends on Tuesday, Feb. 4, with the lantern festival held on Feb. 8.
