You’ll find a range of activities and entertainment on offer throughout Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park from Wednesday 3rd – Sunday 7th February. Want to know more about the year of the Monkey, and find out which animal you are? Visit our Year of the Monkey article.
Click here to view a full timetable of events for Sunnybank Plaza, and here for Sunny Park.
One of the most popular features of any Chinese New Year celebration is the Lion Dance. When done well, the dance is said to bring good fortune, prosperity and longevity to wherever it is performed.
We welcome Master Chen and the Southern Shaolin International Wushu Academy, one of Brisbane’s most renowned Lion Dance and Kung Fu groups, to help us welcome in the Year of the Monkey 2016 and showcase these awe inspiring skills.
Lion Dance performances will be on show each day commencing outside HOYTS Cinemas at 10.30am, with Kung Fu demonstrations also included at weekend performances. Following each performance the fabulous Lion Dance will continue throughout the Centre and customers are encouraged to follow the Lions along their path.
Tai Chi is the gentle art of health and well-being for people of all ages and health conditions. Come and see demonstrations by the International Wushu Tai Chi Academy in the Sunnybank Plaza Foodcourt during our Chinese New Year celebrations.
The traditional Dragon Dance combines the unique colour, sound and spirituality of Chinese culture in a spectacular physical performance. Demonstrating strength, agility, concentration and rhythm, highly skilled dancers bring a colourful fabric and bamboo dragon to life. See the world renowned Dragon Dance team from Lam Tu Luan Kung Fu School perform their multi-award winning dance during the Chinese New Year celebrations at Sunnybank Plaza.
Chinese calligraphy has been around for over 2000 years and is one of the highest forms of Chinese art. Calligraphy Master Eric Lin has been practising this art form for over 40 years, winning many prestigious awards for his skills. Have your special Chinese New Year message scribed by Master Lin as a treasured memento of this year’s Sunnybank Plaza celebrations.
Come and see the professional carvers from Ice Art transform a 1 metre high, 140kg block of ice into a detailed Chinese New Year sculpture in front of a live audience. Using a combination of chainsaws and chisels, the sculpture takes between one and two hours to complete and will last up to four hours.
Watch on as our talented craftsmen demonstrate the ancient art of fruit and vegetable carving, transforming watermelons, honeydew melons and a variety of other fresh fruit and vegetables into colourful works of art.
Chinese chop carving has a 3700 year history in China, primarily used by Chinese artists to identify their work in place of a signature. Chinese Chops are also used by individuals, government and the corporate sector to authorise documents, similar to a wax seal.
We are pleased to welcome artist and professional carver, Hi Fong Kuk back to Sunnybank Plaza this year. Hi Fong has made over 10,000 chops for people all over the world, using Chinese, English, Japanese and picture carving. Hi Fong’s Chinese painting, oil, watercolour, and etching artworks have sold in over 20 countries. Hi Fong will be demonstrating her unique skills during our Year of the Monkey celebrations.
Discover the secrets of Feng Shui during a personal consultation with Feng Shui Master Tom Lo. Benefit from Master Tom Lo’s 40+ years experience and have all your questions answered about this popular philosophy for good health and prosperity. Consultations are at the special price of only $5 for 5 minutes with Master Tom in celebration of the Year of the Monkey.
Kids, join in to paint and decorate your own mask for the Year of the Monkey! Workshops will run for approximately 45 minutes each. Limited places – bookings essential.
In China, making “hand-pulled” noodles is an art. The freshly made dough is folded and twisted repeatedly until eventually it is transformed into long, thin, noodles. In China it is still possible to watch vendors make hand-pulled noodles, however most noodles are now made by machine. Watch on as our Master Chef Sam demonstrates this ancient culinary skill live at Sunnybank Plaza. Some lucky audience members will also be given the chance to try the technique under Sam’s guidance.
The friendly team from the Taiwan Women’s League will be displaying and demonstrating a range of traditional arts and crafts in celebration of the Year of the Monkey. They will be transforming plain paper lanterns, masks and fans into beautiful works of art. With games to play, face painting and souvenirs for sale, make sure you drop by and visit for some Chinese New Year fun.
Using a variety of instruments including xylophones, drums, tambourines and glockenspiels, the Ju Percussion group will present a number of songs in celebration of Chinese New Year live in the Sunnybank Plaza Foodcourt.
Take home a special souvenir of our ‘Year of the Monkey’ celebrations. Visitors will have the opportunity to be photographed in traditional Chinese and Taiwanese costume at our mini photographic studio. A variety of outfits will be available for you to try on free of charge, with souvenir 5”x7” photographs available for purchase from $10 or take home your entire photo shoot on USB for only $20.
We are excited to announce that Master Artist Jenny Gao, founder of the Xiu Zhen Ge Centre of Embroidery, will be joining us for this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations. Jenny will be demonstrating the ancient art of Chinese Embroidery which she has practised for over 20 years. As one of the oldest needlework styles, Chinese embroidery has a history dating back 2000 years. From the magnificent Dragon Robe worn by Emperors in ancient China to the popular embroidery seen in today’s fashions, it is well-known for its refinement, clearly demarcated lines, elegant colours and variety of stitches.
The Sound of AusOriental Orchestra is a group of local musicians who have come together for the joy of music. This non-profit group specialises in oriental music and aims to use music as a means to bring people of all nations together to promote tolerance and harmony in a culturally diverse society. We welcome the group to this year’s Sunnybank Plaza Chinese New Year Celebrations.
