Lunar New Year is about four weeks away, and the first celebrations are starting to appear around Markham. Here is a selection of what is on in the city from Tuesday, Jan. 20, through Sunday, Jan. 25.
Tuesday: a film night at the theatre
The Markham at the Movies series at Flato Markham Theatre, 171 Town Centre Blvd., screens DJ Ahmet, directed by Georgi M. Unkovski, on Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. The coming-of-age film follows a 15-year-old boy in a remote village in North Macedonia who finds freedom in music while dealing with tradition, family expectations and first love.
Wednesday to next Tuesday: Lunar New Year building at CF Markville
CF Markville, 5000 Highway 7, hosts a Lunar New Year pop-up with the LEGO Group from Wednesday, Jan. 21, to Tuesday, Jan. 27. Visitors can build at play tables, pose in front of a large brick-built lion backdrop and write a wish for the year ahead to hang on a wishing tree, with help from staff who speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Red envelopes will be handed out while supplies last.
Saturday: Family Literacy Day in Milliken Mills
Markham Public Library's annual Family Literacy Day takes place at the Milliken Mills branch, 7600 Kennedy Rd., on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year's theme is "Make mealtime family learning time." The free event includes storytimes, crafts, games, hands-on activity stations run by community partners, and prizes.
Sunday: tea and cards for older adults
Plain Tea and Murukku, a free drop-in social for older adults, runs from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Aaniin Community Centre, 5665 14th Ave. Participants can enjoy tea and murukku over cards, ludo, carrom and other games. The library runs it with the Federation of Tamil Canadians and the Boxgrove Wellness Club, and no registration is needed.
Times can change, so check with organizers before heading out, and dress for the cold if you are walking between venues.
