Chinese New Year of the Snake - the full lowdown

LIVERPOOL'S Chinese community will mark the beginning of the Year of the Snake this weekend, with Happy Hookers, dragon, unicorn and lion street parades and a fire cracker display to send the new year in louder than ever.

The snake is the sixth sign in the Chinese Zodiac. Its ability to quickly read complex situations in a controlled manner signals good business acumen.

Bob Dylan

However, Snakes spend money quicker than they earn, leading to the famous phrase: "I haven't got a pot to hiss in".

Famous Snakes include Bob Dylan, Carole King, Dean Martin, Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey, Pablo Picasso and Abraham Lincoln.

The Black-E, on Great George Street, will be the hub of a series of events over the new year weekend, including tai chi, qi gong, Chinese calligrapy and traditional music and dance - admission is £1 for adults, free for children under 18.  On Sunday, Movema – a community organisation which provides world dance activities – is inviting people to head to the Black-E at 10.30am and learn some dance moves and take those moves onto the street as part of snake inspired flash mob.

And the city centre BID team even get in on the action, extending the reach of Chinese new year way beyond the Nelson Street arch, with performances on the bandstand in Williamson Square. On Saturday afternoon, it will be taken over by Chinese arts company China Pearl who will showcase musical performances, catwalk shows dancing and drumming, getting shoppers in the mood for the full celebrations the following day.

Year Of The Snake

Throughout the day activities will also take place on Bold Street and in Ropewalks Square.

The main parade gets under way at 11.30 am. on Sunday (February 10) at Nelson Street, proceeding along Berry Street to St Luke's (Bombed-Out) Church and back, culminating at 1pm in a spectacular fire cracker display in Great George Square starring the "Lucky Man" who will be handing out red envelopes to children.

'Treat'

Once again, musical community organisation Urban Strawberry Lunch are taking part, and from around 11.30am will be welcoming the Snake with drumming and making decorations which will adorn their base at St Luke’s Church.

Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for culture and tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “This year’s celebrations are taking place across an entire weekend in different areas of the city centre, which will be a treat for visitors and shoppers who can all join together to wish the Chinese community a healthy and happy Year of the Snake.”

What was that? The hookers? Oh yes, watch out for the handiwork of Liverpool’s Happy Hookers Crochet Group which will be appearing on various signs in and around the Chinatown area.