A Year of Blessings

Five Blessings

0.0 (0)
STORIES FOR KIDS

‘A Year of Blessings’ celebrates and examines Chinese cultural traditions through an audio play series for young audiences. Each episode teaches us about a Chinese holiday and its cultural practices. The five holidays are: Chinese New Year, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Winter Solstice Festival.

FEB 21

繽紛新年 Bun Fun New Year (Cantonese)

We kick off this Lunar New Year with tales from our bunny friends at the Bao household. In the midst of preparing for the lunar new year family feast, twinned bunnies Bunnifer and Bunnithy learn the true meaning of new year festivities and a couple of…interesting… recipes along the way. ‘A Year of Blessings’ Episode 1: ‘Bun Fun New Year’ '‘Bun Fun New Year’ is devised and co-written by Nancy Tam, Derek Chan, Jasmine Chen, Howard Dai, and Amanda Sum With performances by Bunnifer - Athena Chan Bunnithy - Howie Kwan Mama Bao - Lynne Lee Baba Bao - Angus Yam Gong Gong Bao - Robin Leung Tiger Mom - Carlie Cheukyiu Yeung Terry - Jonathan Pang Bao Bey Babies - Rose Pichler Lobster Bisque - Penelope Choi Dim Sum Auntie Cat - Nancy Tam Ox - Kevin Lam Po Po Dragon - Jenny Zhou Snake - Harmony Yen Rat Uncle - Derek Chan Dog - Kenny Poon Translation by Olivia Poon Bun Fun New Year Theme Song, Disowned, A-BUN-DANCE composed, and performed by Amanda Sum Sound Design and additional composition by Nancy Tam Mixed and mastered by Ira Jordison Illustrations by Cherry Lu Recorded at Monarch Studios, Vancouver, BC ‘A Year of Blessings’ is devised and co-written by Five Blessings, Amanda Sum and Kristin Fung Five Blessings Nancy Tam, Derek Chan, Robyn Jacob, Jasmine Chen, Howard Dai Charlie Cooper - Associate Producer

24 min
12/15/2023

Operation Double Happiness

A Year of Blessings’ finale episode, ‘Operation Double Happiness’ tracks a family of Taiwanese Mandarin ducks who reside in different parts of Turtle Island. Clara and Cici are identical twins who have been in rivalry since birth and are now estranged, but their daughters Jamie, and Mallory are tightly connected–thanks to the interwebs. The two BFF cousins hatched Operation Double Happiness to unite their family for the Winter Solstice celebration in Taiwan. Jamie and Mallory narrate their mission to us in this heist-style, spy-movie episode—think The Incredibles meets 007. Will the wily cousins be able to restore family harmony? A Year of Blessings Episode 6: ‘Operation Double Happiness’ ‘Operation Double Happiness’ is devised and co-written by Derek Chan, Jasmine Chen, Howard Dai, Kristin Fung, and Nancy Tam With performances by Cici Yuan - Nhi Do Clara Tang - Debi Wong Mallory Tang - Tiana Jung Jamie Yuan - Angela Chu Waipo 外婆 - Elaine Tsang Floor Manager - Derek Chan ‘Family Harmony’ composed by Robyn Jacob, performed by Angela Chu, Debi Wong, Nhi Do, and Tiana Jung ‘Fight Song’ composed by Robyn Jacob, performed by Nhi Do and Debi Wong Sound Design and additional composition by Nancy Tam Mixed and mastered by Ira Jordison Illustrations by Cherry Lu Voice Direction by Jasmine Chen ‘A Year of Blessings’ A Five Blessings Collective Production Co-Presented by Gateway Theatre and Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre ‘A Year of Blessings’ is devised and co-written by Five Blessings, Amanda Sum and Kristin Fung Five Blessings Nancy Tam, Derek Chan, Robyn Jacob, Jasmine Chen, Howard Dai Charlie Cooper - Associate Producer ‘A Year of Blessings’ is supported by Canada Council for the Arts, and British Columbia Arts Council

23 min
09/22/2023

Legend of the Whooshhh

We celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival with Eunice, RoRo, and Mabel. The three chum salmon swim upstream from the ocean, through the estuary, up the creek, and homeward bound into the forest where they will spawn. With rising temperatures and lowering water levels, The Three Chums will need to rely on their enduring friendships, new connections, the myth of Chang Er, and the legend of The Whooshhh—the salmon cannon—to get them safely home. A Year of Blessings’ Episode 5: ‘Legend of the Whooshhh’ ‘Legend of the Whooshhh’ is devised and co-written by Derek Chan, Jasmine Chen, Howard Dai, Nancy Tam, and Kristin Fung. With performances by Eunice - Stephanie Wong RoRo - Angela Chu Mabel - Harmony Yen Tuna Turner / Vendor 2 - Kristin Fung Seahorse Dad - Pedro Chamale Brad - Cindy Kao Jean Claude van Dam / Mini bus driver - Raugi Yu PA / Rude Frog - Kayleigh Sandomirsky DJ JellyBelly - Robyn Jacob Steelhead - Jasmine Chen Uni the Urchin Merchant - Conor Wylie Duncan - Charlie Cooper ‘Fins Together, Friends Forever’’ composed and performed by Kristin Fung; ‘Whooshing up the River (Proud Chang’e)’ arranged and performed by Kristin Fung; ‘Baby When I Row My Boat’ arranged by Kristin Fung, performed by Cindy Kao; ‘Do You Believe in Life After Whoosh’ arranged by Robyn Jacob, performed by Kristin Fung Sound Design by Nancy Tam Mixed and mastered by Ira Jordison Illustrations by Cherry Lu Voice Direction by Jasmine Chen ‘A Year of Blessings’ A Five Blessings Collective Production Co-Presented by Gateway Theatre and Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre ‘A Year of Blessings’ is devised and co-written by Five Blessings, Amanda Sum and Kristin Fung Five Blessings Nancy Tam, Derek Chan, Robyn Jacob, Jasmine Chen, Howard Dai Charlie Cooper - Associate Producer ‘A Year of Blessings’ is supported by Canada Council for the Arts, and British Columbia Arts Council

27 min
06/22/2023

Band of Dragons: Sync, Oar, Swim

Star athlete Faye, a 5th-generation dragon boat drummer, has a secret passion for playing music in the band, Skyhorns. When the Skyhorn’s biggest gig yet–opening for Manta Del Rey–falls on race day of the Dragon Boat Festival, our hero is faced with an impossible decision: fulfill traditions, or forge a new path. Faye seeks wisdom from the immortalized Chinese poet, 屈原 (Qu Yuan). With so much on the line, how will our young dragon choose? Will they sync, oar, swim? A Year of Blessings’ Episode 3: ‘Band of Dragons: Sync, Oar, Swim’ ‘Band of Dragons: Sync, Oar, Swim’ is devised and co-written by Derek Chan, Jasmine Chen, Howard Dai, Amanda Sum, and Nancy Tam With performances by Faye - Heidi Damayo Devon - Aidan Chan Aria - Katrina Teitz Coach - Amy Amantea Qu Yuan - Derek Chan Jellybelly - Robyn Jacob Logan Longan - Conor Wylie Dimsum Auntie Cat - Nancy Tam Noodle Guy - Howard Dai Additional voice acting by: Cindy Kao, Stephanie Wong, Kimberly Ho, and Jasmine Chen 'The Dragon’s Heart (Band of Dragons)', 'We are the Skyhorns', 'why??? (Ask the Water)', composed and performed by Robyn Jacob Sound Design and additional composition by Nancy Tam Mixed and mastered by Ira Jordison Illustrations by Cherry Lu ‘A Year of Blessings’ is a Five Blessings Collective Production Co-Presented by Gateway Theatre and Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre ‘A Year of Blessings’ is devised and co-written by Five Blessings, Amanda Sum and Kristin Fung Five Blessings Nancy Tam, Derek Chan, Robyn Jacob, Jasmine Chen, Howard Dai Charlie Cooper - Associate Producer ‘A Year of Blessings’ is supported by Canada Council for the Arts, and British Columbia Arts Council

30 min
04/05/2023

Little Shrimp

A brave Little Shrimp with a big heart takes us on a musical adventure through the underwater and underworld to connect with friends, family, and ancestors on Qing Ming, the tomb-sweeping holiday. ‘A Year of Blessings’ Episode 2: ‘Little Shrimp’ ‘Little Shrimp’ is devised and co-written by Nancy Tam, Derek Chan, Natalie Gan, Howard Dai, and Robyn Jacob With performances by Little Shrimp - Derek Chan Cousin Mantis Shrimp, 婆婆 (GRAMMA SHRIMP), and Auntie Lo - Natalie Gan Mo, Mom Shrimp, and Curry Squid Server - Nancy Tam Big-Headed Shrimp - Howard Dai Radio Announcer 2 (DJ Rockfish) and Radio Announcer 3 (Lobster Bisque) - Robyn Jacob King Crab - Pedro Chamale Lobster the Mobster - Daniel O’Shea Radio Announcer 1 (Jellybelly) - Milton Lim Additional voice acting by: The Carousel Theatre Staff of 2021 (Shizuka Kai, Randi Edmundson, Angie Descalzi, Rick Chung, and Tanya Schwaezle) 'Little Shrimp Theme Song', 'I’m Late', 'The Goodbye Song', composed and performed by Robyn Jacob Sound Design and additional composition by Nancy Tam Additional sound design by Howard Dai Mixed and mastered by Ira Jordison Illustrations by Cherry Lu ‘A Year of Blessings: Little Shrimp’ is a Five Blessings Collective production, presented by Gateway Theatre ‘A Year of Blessings’ is devised and co-written by Five Blessings, Amanda Sum and Kristin Fung Five Blessings Nancy Tam, Derek Chan, Robyn Jacob, Jasmine Chen, Howard Dai Charlie Cooper - Associate Producer ‘A Year of Blessings’ is supported by Canada Council for the Arts, and British Columbia Arts Council

35 min
01/07/2023

Bun Fun New Year

We kick off this Lunar New Year with tales from our bunny friends at the Bao household. In the midst of preparing for the lunar new year family feast, twinned bunnies Bunnifer and Bunnithy learn the true meaning of new year festivities and a couple of…interesting… recipes along the way. ‘A Year of Blessings’ Episode 1: ‘Bun Fun New Year’ '‘Bun Fun New Year’ is devised and co-written by Nancy Tam, Derek Chan, Jasmine Chen, Howard Dai, and Amanda Sum With performances by Bunnifer - Amanda Sum Bunnithy - Aidan Chan Mama Bao - Anjela Magpantay Baba Bao - Howard Dai Gung gung Bao - Derek Chan Tiger Mom - Jasmine Chen Terry - Charlie Cooper Bao Bey Babies - Ida Juliani, Alma Juliani, Otto Juliani Lobster Bisque - Robyn Jacob Dim Sum Auntie Cat - Nancy Tam Ox - Emily M Cheung Popo Dragon & Snake - Kristin Fung Rat Uncle - Anthony Lee Dog - Justin B. Stein Bun Fun New Year Theme Song, Disowned, A-BUN-DANCE composed, and performed by Amanda Sum Sound Design and additional composition by Nancy Tam Mixed and mastered by Ira Jordison Illustrations by Cherry Lu ‘A Year of Blessings’ is co-produced by Five Blessings Collective, Gateway Theatre, and Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre ‘A Year of Blessings’ is devised and co-written by Five Blessings, Amanda Sum and Kristin Fung Five Blessings Nancy Tam, Derek Chan, Robyn Jacob, Jasmine Chen, Howard Dai Charlie Cooper - Associate Producer ‘A Year of Blessings’ is supported by Canada Council for the Arts, and British Columbia Arts Council

22 min

6 Episodes

‘A Year of Blessings’ celebrates and examines Chinese cultural traditions through an audio play series for young audiences. Each episode teaches us about a Chinese holiday and its cultural practices. The five holidays are: Chinese New Year, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Winter Solstice Festival.

Creator

Five Blessings
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

6
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 A Year of Blessings
Show Website

A Year of Blessings