Event Showcase: 2023 Lunar New Year
What a way to start the year!
2023 is the Year of the Rabbit — a symbol of peace and prosperity in Chinese culture, it’s predicted to be a year of hope and good fortune. So, JTPM was excited to be working with the Melbourne Chinatown Association (MCA) as creative advisors for the 2023 Chinese Lunar New Year (LNY) celebrations in the City of Melbourne on Sunday 22 January.
The goal of this event was to create a fun and vibrant environment for people of all cultures and ages to bring in the new year, to stimulate and support local businesses, promote Chinese and Asian culture and build the profile for MCA who were newly appointed as the operators of the LNY event in July 2022.
The first event of its kind after a three-year hiatus, LNY was an unforgettable experience, attracting more than 120,000 visitors to the Chinatown Precinct which is bordered by Spring Street to Elizabeth Street and Lonsdale Street to Bourke Street.
Running from 10.30am — 9:00pm the festival featured 10-hours of programming including the famous Millennium Dragon parade, roaming lion dancers and musical percussion group, art installations, street art, market stalls of traditional foods and crafts, cultural dance, martial arts, live music and K-pop performances throughout the day.
Interactive and educational activities were also on offer to promote multiculturalism and celebrate the diverse heritage of Melbourne’s Chinese and Asian communities.
Russell Street was closed between Bourke and Lonsdale Streets and adorned with red and gold lanterns. Red and white marquees were set up for the stalls and we brought in a mobile stage truck as the Main Stage — where the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp officially opened LNY by taking part in the ‘dotting of the eyes’ ritual, to wake up and bless the lions in preparation for their performance.
Top three favourites from LNY 2023:
- Cabaret performance by Shanghai Mimi band — this spectacular 1.5-hour outdoor performance featured Sophie Koh, an award-winning Aussie singer/ songwriter and multi-disciplinary musician of Malaysian and Chinese descent was a real and rare treat for Melburnians. “We had a great time performing at Melbourne’s Chinatown Lunar New Year party! Nothing more thrilling than playing outdoors with lion dances and thousands of people,” the band said on their Facebook page.
- Giant rabbit installation in Little Bourke Street Mall — a series of oversized white rabbits, illuminated in bright white light by local artist Amanda Parer have been on display around the world. A perfect fit for Year of the Rabbit, we were able to secure one of these art installations and invited visitors to view the sculpture and get a professional photo with the rabbit to remember the 2023 LNY event. Even Julia, Victor and Baby J came down and got in on the giant bunny action!
- Millennium Dragon parade — emerging from its resting place at the Museum of Chinese Australian History, the 63-meter-long Chinese dragon made its way up Little Bourke Street and onto Russell Street, before coming back around through Lonsdale Street. Literally thousands of spectators cramming the streets to watch its magnificent long body of silk skirts, tassels, beads, embroidery, bells, mirrors and sequins weave its way through the CBD. Known as Dai Long, the Millennium Dragon is one of the largest in the world!
Well done to the Lunar New Year team — Alannah, Chloe and Angeline with support from Emily, Opal, Victoria, and over 200+ logistic staff on the day. The team worked over 400 hours over 3–4 months, with weekly client meetings and three site visits to deliver this event.
Thank you to MCA for choosing JTPM and giving us the opportunity to support this incredible and iconic event with our creative direction and production. We look forward to adding LNY to the annual JT events roster…
Gong xi fa cai / Chuc mung nam moi / happy Lunar New Year everyone!
Originally published at https://www.jtproductionmanagement.com.
