Lions danced on the Plainstanes to kick off the evening of entertainment in Holywood Building, organised by Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association (DGMA).
The organisers have described the event as ‘a festival of hope, unity and to take a stand against sectarianism’.
The DGMA’s youth group performed ‘The Lion and the Monkey King’ with Aaron Shepherd and Sebastian Summers as the Lion.
Other highlights included Tina Liu singing the haunting Chinese song Wan Wu Shen; Ruby Darbyshire’s enchanting singing and ukulele; an appearance from local poet Peter Angelini; and Chinese magic and blindfold swordplay from Murray the Magician.
A grand buffet was generously prepared and donated by the local Chinese and faith community and there followed performances from Maya Zanna on piano and Nerissa Tung on violin. Glasgow comedian Christopher KC gave his own unique take on life; Aaron Shepherd danced and rapped; there was more poetry from John Newton and Archi Elliot; and the finale saw the audience and performers join together in singing Imagine and Auld Lang Syne.
DGMA chairwoman Yen Hongmei Jin said: “What a breathtaking celebrations of the Year of the Monkey, what a fabulous evening, what a team.
“The programme was perfect and the bit about stand up to sectarianism was gently but firmly presented and I hope the message was clear enough to be noticed.”
PHOTOS ABOVE BY TOM TELFER
