Scarborough celebrates Chinese New Year.
In this file photo, lions play with the audience during Chinese New Year celebrations in centre court of the Scarborough Town Centre. The Year of the Dragon will be welcomed this weekend at a number of events in Scarborough.
File photo/DAN PEARCE
Enter the Dragon.
The mythical beast - and the Lunar Year bearing its name - is being welcomed to Scarborough this weekend, along with dancing lions, the ever-popular God of Fortune and other delights.
Scarborough Town Centre provides centre court performances both on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 22, at 2 and 4 p.m.
The first of these shows at the shopping centre on Borough Drive features appearances by Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair and other dignitaries, but each includes thunder drums, the money-packet dispensing God of Fortune, and over the weekend, folk dancing, martial arts demonstrations and both lion and dragon dances.
Other Scarborough shopping centres are also celebrating Chinese New Year.
Splendid China Tower on Steeles Avenue, is hosting children's activities and a dance party on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by a countdown program with lion dancing starting at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, Agincourt Mall on Sheppard Avenue has a lion dance and the God of Fortune at its centre court at 11 a.m.
Bridlewood Mall on Finch Avenue has a lion dance and God of Fortune appearance at 12:30 p.m., and also offers lantern-making and other crafts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto on Sheppard Avenue has a program of free performances and activities on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.
It also has a new year banquet next Sunday, Jan. 29, for which tickets are $45 or $60. For more details on the banquet, call 416-292-9293 or go to www.ccgt.org
On Monday, Jan. 23, University of Toronto Scarborough's International Student Centre and student clubs present their own annual new year celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the campus's Meeting Place on Military Trail.
The event will, a UTSC release said, feature student groups and organizations promoting the traditions of their heritage through performances and interactive activities, including customary food, candies and a lion dance, followed by a mezzo-soprano performance by Hong Zhang.