Shinju Matsuri Festival
It’s the time of year when something special occurs in Broome as the magical Sammy the Dragon is awakened to herald the start of the annual Shinju Matsuri Festival which celebrates the multicultural history and diverse community that makes Broome the incredible place it is.
This year, Shinju Matsuri will take place from Saturday 29 August to Sunday 6 September, with a program of events for all tastes and budgets, starting with the Lotterywest Opening Ceremony at Town Beach on Saturday 29th, where Sammy will be awakened to kick off the 50th anniversary festival. After an overnight rest, Sammy will then wind his way through Chinatown on Sunday 30th alongside the colourful community creations in the Float Parade and to the Mardi Gras at Male Oval.
There is a whole host of Shinju Matsuri events happening in Chinatown, including the Chinatown Feast on Wednesday 2 September – a new event featuring a Hawkers Market with a Broome style twist, and the much anticipated Willie Creek Pearls Pearl Meat Cook-Off on Thursday 3 September, where Broome’s top chefs compete to create their best dish featuring pearl meat. A list of all the Chinatown based events is included below, and the full festival program is available at shinjumatsuri.com.au, where you can also buy tickets for certain events.
Sammy the Dragon in full swing. Photo Credit Shinju Matsuri
Tenders Closing
Tenders seeking the head contractor who will undertake the Stage Two construction works later this year have been extended and are now closing Wednesday 26 August, followed by the assessment process. We are anticipating the preferred contractor will be announced late September, and will start the works as soon as possible afterwards. More detailed timelines will be released once the contractor is on board.
A 3D render of the proposed Stage Two works on Short Street (East).
$500 Grants Available
If you’re a Chinatown trader, did you know you could be eligible for a $500 Chinatown Activation Grant to help put on instore activities and promotions? Some recent examples of successful grant applicants include Three Angels celebrating their 1st anniversary with music and refreshments, Clifton Collective store opening event and the fortnightly International Food Nights which have been running in July and August at Paspaley Plaza.
So if you’ve got an idea for an instore activity or promotion, contact Chinatown Coordinator Julia to have a chat and complete an easy grant application that could help your idea become a reality!
Grants recipient Kelly Clifton from Clifton Collective
Aiyana Luxe Opens in Johnny Chi Lane
Creative Director Kirstin Denie outside her new Aiyana Luxe Salon in Johnny Chi Lane
Creative Director of the new Aiyana Luxe Salon in Johnny Chi Lane, Kirstin Denie has worked for top hairdressers around the globe over a 20+ year career. Kirstin had been hairdressing from her home when the opportunity to open her own salon in Johnny Chi Lane came up.
“I was running a home business which meant I could only service one client at a time due to space restraints, and I had a long waiting list of people wanting appointments,”
“When the chance came up to open a salon again, I jumped at it. I now have space for multiple clients at once and can work much more efficiently,” Kirstin said.
Kirstin named the salon after the native American word Aiyana meaning ‘sweet eternal bloom’ which has a special meaning for her as it’s also her daughter’s name. Kirstin believes in taking the time to understand precisely what her clients are after, and consultation is a big part of any appointment.
“I pride myself on listening to what people want and translating that into a great haircut for each individual using the latest industry techniques and products,” Kirstin said.
A quick look at the number of 5 star reviews on Facebook speak for themselves, and with appointments available online, it’s easy to book in for anything from a blow dry to a full colour.
Oh, what a night!
Ladies celebrating Ladies’ Night at Pearls and Boheme
Ladies’ Night certainly went off with a bang this year, with hundreds of people flocking to Chinatown to take advantage of the special offers and activities that traders went to great efforts to put on for the annual event on Friday 7 August.
From bubbles and nibbles to a life drawing class, music, entertainment and financial workshops, there was something on offer for every taste and interest, as many ladies found out when they frocked up and headed out to the huge range of retailers and traders who opened late and put so much effort into creating an amazing event.
Chinatown Revitalisation Project FAQs
If you have a question about the Chinatown Revitalisation project, we’ve created a page on our website dedicated to answering commonly asked questions. Simply click here to find out more, and if you still have questions, please send them to us!
Dates for Your Diary
July to September 2020 - Stage Two tender process
October 2020 to June 2021 - Stage Two construction
May 2021 - Chinatown Discovery Festival
Shinju Matsuri Events in Chinatown
Daily – Shinju Matsuri Panoramic Town Tour by Broome and Around
Sunday 30 August – Livelighter Float Parade & Mardi Gras
Sunday 30 August – Coppo’s Family Fun Day at the Roey
Tuesday 1 September – Salty Plum Social Small Bar Walking Tour
Wednesday 2 September – Chinatown Feast
Thursday 3 September – Willie Creek Pearls Pearl Meat Cook-Off
Friday 4 September – Flickerfest National Tour at Sun Pictures
Saturday 5 September – The Roey Beats and Eats
Saturday 5 September – Sonus2 Concert at Sun Pictures
