Be prepared to be serenaded under the moonlight by local musicians and artists at the 2018 Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Tomorrow, Friday September 21st, will find The Garden filled with musical performances, Hanfu dress-up, mooncake demonstrations, wishing lanterns, and much more for everyone to enjoy.
At last year’s festival, visitors were introduced to the Four Arts of the Chinese scholars (music, Chinese chess, calligraphy, and painting). Beginning with music this year, each future festival will feature one of the Arts disciplines.
In Chinese culture, music is seen as an expression of the perfect harmony between the Earth, human beings, and the heavens above. Under the celestial and transcendent power of the moon, many ancient Chinese scholars composed music and poetry that united families and friends. At the 2018 Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, visitors will get to experience the connection between music and the moon, whose eternal nature inspired Chinese artistic tradition. The Garden welcomes friends, family, and loved ones to sample mooncakes, release wishing lanterns, and enjoy the various musical activities and performances celebrating the second largest festival in the Chinese calendar.
Highlights of the 2018 Mid-Autumn Moon Festival include:
Music Performance by Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble:
Chinese instrumentalist Jirong Huang (erhu) and other members of the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble opens the festival with a musical performance.
Chinese Musical Instrument Petting Zoo:
Hands-on learning about how different Chinese instruments work with the members of the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble.
Music Performance by VSO Azalea Chinese Ensemble:
Enjoy a live Chinese musical performance by the Azalea Chinese Ensemble from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music.
Music Under the Moon Contest:
Watch the two finalists rock act Son of James, and multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Pai. The audience will vote for their favourite to help determine the winner of the Music Under the Moon Contest
Mooncake Demo:
Throughout the evening the whole family can learn how to make mooncakes and sample the traditional festive cakes.
Magic with Rod Chow:
Magician Rod Chow mesmerizes the audience with his award-winning magic tricks.
Gong Fu Cha Tea Tastings:
Enjoy a cup of tea served in the traditional Chinese way, and learn about the art of tea tasting from one of the garden’s tea presenters.
Hanfu Photo Booth and Guzheng Music Performance:
Have your photo taken with members of the Hanfu Club, who will be dressed in the traditional outfits of the Han Chinese people, while enjoying a guzheng musical performances by Sandy Qi.
Drum Decorating:
Purchase and paint a hand-held spinning drum, and get inspired by the unique music and instruments featured in the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.
The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival takes place, rain* or shine, from 5:30pm – 9:30pm at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall Street,
Details, entertainment schedule and tickets are available online at Eventbrite:
*In event of rain, the festival will take place indoors amongst the Garden’s classical halls, beautifully covered pavilions, and sheltered walkways.