COURTESY ALOHA STADIUM SWAPMEET

Ringing in the Rat

Here's the latest calendar on all things about the upcoming Year of the Rat, starting Feb. 7:

» 6 to 10 p.m. Friday: 59th annual Narcissus Festival in Chinatown, with the Narcissus court and lion dances, starting at 42 N. King St. Chinatown businesses will celebrate with firecrackers, and the cultural plaza will have food, crafts and entertainment.

» 5 to 9 p.m. Friday: The ARTS at Marks Garage presents "Chinatown, HI," featuring artwork and artifacts. The monthly First Friday gallery event and Chinese New Year will combine with street celebrations and open houses between River and Bethel streets, and Beretania and King streets.

» 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday: Open House at Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Food, entertainment, ethnic dances, martial arts and weapons demonstrations.

» 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday: Celebration at the Hawaii Kai Towne Center, with fireworks, a kung fu demonstration, and a lion dance from the Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association.

» 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday: Night in Chinatown Festival and Parade. The parade, featuring acrobats and martial artists, begins at 4 p.m. and runs along Hotel Street, from Richards to River streets. Festivities continue on Maunakea and Hotel streets.

» 9 a.m. to noon Sunday: A special performance by three dancing lions from the Asia Arts Organization at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. Admission of $1, with children under 11 free.

» 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday: Vietnamese New Year festival also celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Free Vietnam Organization in Hawaii, at the Kapiolani Park bandstand. Music, ethnic dances, a lion dance, food and more. Free admission. Call 389-4126.

» 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday: Chinese lion dance and feng shui workshop at the Kahala Mall Center Court. Starts with a kung fu demonstration and a lion dance performed by the Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association. At 1 p.m., astrology and feng shui expert Alice Inoue will present her "Three Basic Rules of Feng Shui" and some simple techniques that can be applied to the home or office to bring maximum flow and support in the Year of the Rat. Call 732-7736.

» 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 9: Market City Shopping Center celebrates with firecrackers, lion dances and a fortune cookie giveaway. Festivities take place in the back parking lot facing Kaimuki High School. Call 734-0282.

» 11 a.m. Feb. 10: Aloha Tower Marketplace kicks off its celebration with a traditional lion dance presented by the Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association. Then, in the Center Atrium, the Wah Ngai members will give a modern performance with the lion jumping from poles. Free. Call 566-2337.

» 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 16: Celebration at Ward Warehouse Amphitheatre features keiki activities, a lion dance and appearance of the Narcissus Queen contestants.

» 3 to 6 p.m. Feb. 16: Celebration at Wahiawa Shopping Center and Wahiawa Town Center, with free mah jongg fortune readings, martial arts demonstrations, a traditional lion dance, and giveaways.