It's a 喜羊羊 New Year!

Chinese New Year has always been one of my favourite festivals. I love hearing the New Year songs, seeing the lion dance, feasting on New Year goodies, gathering with friends and family, and giving out ang pows becomes an enjoyable way to spread joy and good fortune to the younger generation. Are you as excited as I am about the upcoming Chinese New Year? Yes, in less than a month's time, we will be ushering in the Year of the Goat! Woohoo!

I have been teaching the kids about the Chinese zodiac (生肖) and for those of you who might not know, the Chinese zodiac is a repeating cycle of 12 years, with each year being represented by an animal and its reputed attributes. The Goat comes 8th in the Chinese zodiac and the 12 zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. For now, Ariel knows that she is born in the Year of the Dragon and is trying to remember which years Mama, Papa and her older sister are born in. As for Angel, I am trying to get her to memorize the sequence of the zodiac and make it something fun to chant.

This year, to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Goat which so happens to be the year the hubby was born in, we have lined up some very exciting plans for the kids!

******

When we were living in Sweden, I wanted to let Angel be exposed to some Mandarin cartoons because I reckon that the best way to learn a language is by listening and speaking more.  One of the first Mandarin cartoon series that we started watching together was Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf (喜羊羊与灰太狼) which also eventually became one of our favourites. I love the catchy songs, light-hearted plots, quick-witted solutions, happy endings and the emphasis on friendship that is evident in every episode.

Since 2009, Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf stage show has performed over 800 shows, and more than 60 million audience have watched it. Imagine how excited the kids would be to finally catch some of their favourite characters performing live on stage? Yes, now's the chance!

In celebration of the Year of Goat, MediaCorp VizPro International will be bringing in Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf – 3 Wishes, which will let children learn Mandarin in a fun and interactive way through its catchy music and vibrant stage settings.

Synopsis
The goats discover an old discarded plastic bottle that hid an amateur magician called "KaLaLa". With his limited magical power, boastful KaLaLa promised to grant his master three wishes. This is overheard by cunning Wolffy who then steals the magic bottle and keeps the three wishes for himself. The three wishes of Wolffy did not realize and he turns into a big pig head instead! Will he succeed in capturing the goats with the magic bottle or did he once again get played out by the goats?

是愿望成真，还是美梦落空？
"羊村爱地球"的环保活动在青青草原上进行得如火如荼，羊羊们在无意间发现一个破旧塑料瓶，里面竟然困住一位法术不怎么灵光的实习魔法师-卡拉拉，他竟然夸下海口，说能够帮大家实现三个愿望呢! 这件事被尾随在后的灰太狼偷听到后，用计谋将卡拉拉骗回塑料瓶子里，就这样，灰太狼拥有了三个愿望。可是，在许愿的过程中却阴错阳差，乌龙百出，灰太狼不但没有达成抓到小肥羊的心愿，反而变成了猪头，这下可怎么办才好？

Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf - 3 Wishes uses the original dubbing of the animation series, just to let Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf’s cute voices to be presented in their original form. Suitable for children of all ages, the characters on stage will be interacting with them to brainstorm for problem solving. The deeper theme behind the stage show is to allow children to learn about the idea of sharing with friends, the love between one another and the creation of wonderful memories with their families.

A mixture of entertainment and education which brings fun and joy at the same time, I think this stage show will be a great way for us to start off the Year of The Goat.

Event Date
20 Mar (Fri) - 7pm
21 Mar (Sat) - 3pm & 7pm
22 Mar (Sun) - 11am & 3pm

Performance Venue
Esplanade Theatre  

Show Duration
Approximately 1 hour 25 minutes

Ticket pricing
Standard tickets pricing ranges from $38 to $108 and are now available on SISTIC website. You can also book your tickets at any SISTIC outlet or phone the hotline at 6348 5555.



******

Now, although Angel might be familiar with Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf, I am just thinking that Ariel might not be able to identify with them as much since she has not yet been exposed to the show. So, just to let her be acquainted with the characters, other than watching the series on Channel 8 (every Thursday at 2.00pm and Saturday at 9.00am), I have also decided to bring the girls for a meet and greet session at City Square Mall!

I know, I know, I have been to a handful of these sessions already. Think Barney, Ninja Turtles and Chuggington. But well, I wouldn't keep doing this if the kids did not show obvious signs that they loved it to bits, right? Anyway, the good thing about City Square Mall is that we can hang out in Daiso, eat at the food court, catch a show at Golden Village, play with toys in Toys R Us or take a stroll in the eco-park.

Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf ( 喜羊羊与灰太狼 ) Mall Appearance at City Square Mall
Date: 7, 8, 14 & 15 Feb (Sat & Sun)
Time: 2pm & 7pm daily
Venue: Level 1 Atrium
Get ready to sing and dance into Spring with your 2 favourite Chinese cartoon characters! Also be sure to join in the fun games before the show. Redeem a Meet & Greet pass 1 hour prior to each show with $50* spent. 50 passes per show, while stocks last.
*A maximum of 3 same-day combined receipts. 50 passes will be given out 1 hour prior to each show at the L2 Customer Service Counter, strictly on a first-come-first-served basis. Other terms & conditions apply.

For more Chinese New Year festivities at City Square Mall, visit here for more details.

******

I think we are going to have a blast and it sure is going to be fun ushering in the New Year. Of course, we can't wait for all the house visiting, steamboats and long-awaited gatherings with the people who matter in our lives. How are you planning to usher in this coming Year of the Goat?

Disclosure: We received media invites to Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf – 3 Wishes and the Meet & Greet session at City Square Mall. All opinions are our own.