Spaces and Experiences Celebrates Lunar New Year

January 16, 2025
Spaces & Experiences has a host of festive activities planned and an incredible Lunar New Year capsule collection available right now through The Bookstore at all three campuses and online.

Story by Laura Rosen Cohen

Spaces and Experiences at U of T loves a good celebration!

Now that the holiday break is over, classes are in session and the secular New Year has been celebrated, it’s time to mark yet another celebration in style! We are quickly approaching the Lunar New Year. Accordingly, S&E takes pride in leading the way by planning events and activities that celebrate and honour the diverse cultural fabric of our St. George community. Spaces & Experiences has a host of festive activities planned and an incredible Lunar New Year capsule collection available right now through The Bookstore, at all three campuses and online.

April Walsh, the Director of Procurement, Merchandising and Retail at The Bookstore on the St. George campus, says that the Lunar New Year capsule collection was first created in 2018.

“Up until last year, the collection was basically all red with embroidered gold, but last year we added dragon iconography. This year, we have also added some new elements, and the design motif has been inspired by Japanese streetwear. We have embroidered items, silkscreened pieces and have also once again incorporated the new lunar sign for this coming year; the Year of the Snake on the lunar Zodiac,” she explains.

The Lunar New Year collection is currently available at all three campuses: St. George, UTM and UTSC and online. There’s something for everyone; sweatshirts, crew necks and t-shirts among other items-even merch for kids.

Student wearing the LNY Snake Crewneck at King's College Circle

“We are thrilled to support and elevate merchandise and apparel that celebrates the diversity of the campus community” says Ivan Canete, Trademark Licensing Manager.

“Limited edition runs like the Year of the Snake collection provide a great opportunity to wear the mark of our world-class institution with pride while appreciating the rich fabric of the Chinese and Asian culture,” he adds.

In other Lunar New Year news, and in order to increase the festive Lunar New Year energy on campus, Chefs from U of T Food Services have planned special dishes and meals that reflect the vibrant cultures of Asia as the celebrations continue in the dining commons and retail food halls.

From January 27-31, 2025 these special foods will be available at our retail food outlets:

At Sid’s, there will be a Lunar New Year Menu, including a Chicken Dumping Bowl and Pork Belly Bao Bun. At both Robarts and MSB there will be a Lunar New Year Snack Bar, and Bao Bun will be our featured Foodie Find at Robarts during that week.

At New College, CampusOne and the Chestnut Dining Commons, there will be a special and festive Lunar New Year dinner on January 29, 2025.

In addition, the highly acclaimed Choi Wing Sum (“CWS”) dance troupe will be performing the traditional Lion Dance at select locations on campus serviced by the S&E portfolio.

The Lion Dance is a traditional Chinese / Asian celebratory artform that is several thousand years old. It is used to celebrate joyous occasions such as the Lunar New Year, birthdays and other special holidays and occasions. The Lion Dance is said to bring good fortune and good health for everyone involved in the performance, including the guests watching the performance.

Lion Dance

In addition, the highly acclaimed Choi Wing Sum (“CWS”) dance troupe will be performing the traditional Lion Dance at select locations on campus serviced by the S&E portfolio.

The Lion Dance is a traditional Chinese / Asian celebratory artform that is several thousand years old. It is used to celebrate joyous occasions such as the Lunar New Year, birthdays and other special holidays and occasions. The Lion Dance is said to bring good fortune and good health for everyone involved in the performance, including the guests watching the performance.

The performance schedule is as follows:

Friday, January 17, 2025:

  • 8:45 a.m. – Chestnut Residence Lobby & Dining Commons, 89 Chestnut St, Toronto, ON M5G 2J1
  • 10:15 a.m. – U of T Bookstore, 214 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3A1
  • 11:15 a.m. – Medical Science Building (MSB) Food Hall, Main Floor, 1 King’s College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 3K3
  • 12:15 p.m. – CampusOne Dining Commons, 253 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1R5

Friday, January 24, 2025

  • 12:00 p.m. – New College Dining Commons, 40 Willcocks Street, Toronto ON M5S 1C6
  • 1:00 p.m. – Knox Residence, 59 St. George St, Toronto, ON M5S 3H4
  • 2:00 p.m. – Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, Main Floor Lobby, 108 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0C6
  • 4:00 p.m. – University Family Housing, Outside Podium Deck, 35 Charles Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 1R6

For more information on Lion Dance performances, U of T Bookstore collection and Food Services specials
CLICK HERE

 

Happy Lunar New Year from Spaces & Experiences!