Museum of East Asian Art

Previous New Year Events!

Sunday 6th February 2011

On Sunday 6th February 2011 the Museum of East Asian Art held its fourth annual Lunar New Year Extravaganza! The event, opened by the Mayor of Bath, was held at the Museum of East Asian Art and the Assembly Rooms, both on Bennett Street, Bath.

Entertainment on the day included traditional Chinese opera performances by Kathy Hall from the London Jing Kun Opera; martial art demonstrations by Bristol’s Shaolin Wushu Academy; musical performances from the Royal Academy of Music’s Colin Huehns and local musician Stephanie Hiller; the University of Bristol Lion Dance Troupe; and firecracker display provided by Wai Yee Hong. Tea tasting took place in partnership with the Teahouse Emporium of Bath.

As the day reached its climax with the always anticipated lion dance, traffic on Bennett Street, including one of Bath’s sightseeing buses (and its passengers) were treated to some of the spectacle, as the lion left the Assembly Rooms and made its way to the Museum of East Asian Art whilst traditional Chinese firecrackers were let off.

For 2011 thie Museum worked in partnership with Saint Mary’s Primary School for the second annual Lunar New Year-themed Primary Schools Art Competition; the Student Community Partnership, who provided volunteers from both of Bath’s universities; and the Hong Kong Young Ambassador Scheme.

The 2011 Extravaganza! was supported by Grants for the Art – Arts Council England, and has received generous contributions from the Roper Family Charitable Trust as well as anonymous sponsors. Such kind support helped the Museum continue to run this event free to residents and visitors of Bath.

2011 Gallery

Official photography for the event was provided by Jennifer Gosling.
More photographs are viewable through our facebook page.

Sunday 21st February 2010

The MEAA’s 2010 Lunar New Year Extravaganza! was even bigger and better than before. It was officially opened by the Mayor of Bath and included the much anticipated lion dances (performed by the University of Bristol Lion Dance Troupe), traditional Chinese opera performances by the London Jing Kun Opera, martial arts demonstrations, musical performances, poetry readings, as well as arts and crafts activities, with the day being rounded off by a spectacular firecracker display.

The 2010 celebrations coincided with the MEAA’s strategically timed temporary exhibition “Cutting Edge: Untraditional Papercuts by Three Contemporary Artists”. Papercuts are traditionally important at Lunar New Year, being used as decorations that could stay up until the following year’s celebrations.

For 2010 the Museum of East Asian Art also ran an Art Competition with the local primary schools – Winning entries coming soon!

Special thanks to:-

The Mayor of Bath, Brian Roper of Roper Rhodes, The National Trust and The Assembly Rooms Management and Staff, The Bristol University Lion Dance Troupe, The London Jing Kun Opera Association, Colin Huehns of the Royal Academy of Music, Martial Arts Master Benny Wang and his students, Local Poet Yu Yan Chen, The dancers of The Bath Chinese School, All the local schools who took part in our Art Competition, Bath Spa University Student Union “Just Volunteer” Programme, All of our wonderful volunteers, Attic Tea, Official photographers Black Orchid Photography