Sadeke Brooks, Gleaner Writer

Patrons enjoy the Lion Dance at the Chinese Benevolent Association's annual spring festival garden party.

It was definitely a variety-filled evening, as the Jamaican Chinese community celebrated their New Year at the Chinese Benevolent Association Centre (CBA) on Sunday.

The garden party kicked off with patrons, including Governor General Kenneth Hall being treated to dinner. The menu included pork, sweet and sour fish fillet, roast pork, beef in oyster sauce, stir fried vegetables and steamed rice. There was also a Dim-Sum menu and a cake stand.

While the many patrons waited in the long lines, they were entertained by former Byron Lee and the Dragonaires' member, Keith Lyn, who sang hits like Bam Bam, and Murder She Wrote in Chinese accent. The children were kept occupied with the bounce-about and rides.

The entertainment that followed was somewhat low-keyed. The CBA Children's Choir started the variety concert with the Jamaican and Chinese national anthems. They later did a rendition of the Beijing Olympic theme song.

The Lion Dance was a big part of the Year of the Rat celebration as the glittery lion did a dance that would usher in prosperity and ward off evil spirits. The dance was accompanied by drumming and deafening fire crackers.

Dutty wine

The Stella Maris Dance Ensemble also gave the audience a taste of dutty wine and some exciting splits. The Vickers Dance Studio was more conservative and showed off their ballet training.

Violinist Jessica Yapp received the first set of screams for the night when she played Lionel Richie's Love Conquers All and Bob Marley's Jamming.

A presentation was also made to several schools in the CBA's outreach programme, after which Keith Lyn gave another performance of some '60s classics. However, it was Bobby Demercado's Elvis Presley impersonation that surprisingly got the biggest response from the audience.

As the Chinese say, 'Kung Hee Fatt Choy' or Happy New Year!

Violinist Jessica Yapp - photos by Winston Sill / Freelance Photographer

The Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) children's choir performs at the annual spring festival garden party, celebrating the Year of the Rat, held at the CBA Centre, Old Hope Road, last Sunday.