CULTURE
‘Month in Chinatown’ will get started Jan. 25
With the Year of the Rat not officially starting until Feb. 7, it doesn't mean that the "Month in Chinatown" cultural celebration can't get an early start. Organized by the city and private partners, the coordinated celebration got its start with a summit in the famous downtown area in 2006.
So here are the fruits of that summit, starting this weekend, and it's all free to the public ...
...» 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Jan. 25 and 26: Chinese New Year Festival at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza, with food vendors, exhibits and entertainment, martial arts and other demonstrations.
» 3 p.m. Jan. 27: Chinese New Year Festival at Pearl City High School Auditorium, with top performers visiting from China. To purchase $10 and $15 tickets, call 224-1220. Proceeds will go to the Palolo Chinese Home.
» 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 1: 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 vendors, craft booths and entertainment.
» 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 1: 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. Feb. 1 and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Feb. 2: Chinatown Open House at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Food vendors, entertainment, ethnic dance troupes, music, martial arts and weapons demonstrations.
» 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 2: 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 with entertainment and concessions.