Queens’ MarketPlace will host Asian Fest, a public celebration of the Year of the Rooster on Feb. 3. Courtesy photo.
Queens’ MarketPlace shopping center at the Waikoloa Beach Resort will welcome the Year of the Rooster during the annual Asian Fest event on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The free event is a unique and popular way to experience and enjoy the music, cuisine and customs of China, Japan, Okinawa, the Philippines and other Asian cultures.
Asian Fest courtesy photo.
According to the Chinese zodiac, a rooster year will be filled with patience and passion, bravery, some bravado, and hard work to reach success. Its motto is “Always higher, always going on.”
Events at the shopping center will ring in the Rooster Year in style, with great food, nonstop entertainment and a spectacular Chines Lion Dance. The centuries-old dance tradition, essential to New Year’s festivities in Hawai‘i, includes colorful dancers who will perform acrobatic feats and leaps, and interact with the audience as they parade through Queens’ MarketPlace from shop door to shop door.
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Participants young and old can “feed” the lion small donations in red envelopes called lycee (provided) to bring good fortune in the year ahead.
Taiko is also essential to the Asian Fest. The thundering drums of Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko of North Kohala will kick off the excitement at the Coronation Pavilion. Their high-energy style of taiko brings movement and music together for a dramatic performance that will captivate audiences of all ages.
Asian Fest courtesy photo.
Throughout Queens’ MarketPlace, chefs will provide food samples (while they last) from Charley’s Thai Cuisine, Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ, Island Gourmet Markets, Lemongrass Express, Paradise Pizza & Grill, Sansei Seafood, Steak and Sushi Bar, Sushi Shiono’s, Waikoloa Beach Marriott, A-Bay’s Island Grill, Roy’s Waikoloa, Mai Grille, Tropics Ale House and Dairy Queen.
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Asian Fest Entertainment Schedule
5 p.m.: Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko
5:55 p.m.: Hawaii Lion Dance Association
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6:30 p.m.: Kona Daifukuji Taiko
7 p.m.: Visayan Dance Group, Filipino Dancers from University of Hilo
7:20 p.m.: Lion Dance begins at Island Gourmet Markets and proceeds door to door
Asian Fest is a complimentary event provided by Queens’ MarketPlace and its businesses as a celebratory start to the new lunar year.
Queens’ MarketPlace is also celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.
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