The lunar new year officially begins on Jan. 23, but local activities to ring in the Year of the Dragon started early with Microsoft’s impressive Asian Spring Festival Party on Jan. 14 and continue through early February. As the most important holiday of the year, spring festival offers many ways to experience Chinese culture and connect with the community.
On Saturday, Jan. 21, the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (UWCSSA) will host a celebration at Meany Hall from 7 to 9:30 p.m. with performances, talent show and prizes. More information is here.
Geoffrey Castle on rock violin and Lucy Wu on Chinese Jinghu combine for an exhilarating East-West duo.
Also on Jan. 21, the Hong Kong Association of Washington will hold its annual Chinese New Year Gala at the Sheraton Seattle from 5 to 10 p.m., featuring a lion dance, fashion show and live auction. Proceeds will benefit the Washington Association for Supported Employment. More information is here.
On the eastside, on Jan. 21, a Lunar New Year Celebration at Westminster Chapel will celebrate Asian culture with children’s crafts, demonstrations, music, dance, food and activities for the whole family. Chinese class students from Bellevue School District will perform on the main stage, led by teacher Rong Fen Sun-Burford. From 3:30-8:30 p.m. , 13646 NE 24th Street, Bellevue, WA More information is here.
Friday, Feb. 3: Cultures of China, Festival of Spring will be held at the Paramount Theater, featuring Chinese folk songs, Peking opera and dance performances by top Chinese artists, a celebration for overseas Chinese and people all over the world who are interested in the Chinese culture. More information is here.
Saturday, Feb. 4: 3rd Annual Lunar New Year Walkathon for the Chinese Information and Service Center, from 9 a.m. to noon. Celebrate a happy, healthy year of the dragon at Bailey Gatzert Elementary and help raise funds to create opportunities for Chinese and other Asian immigrants to succeed in their new community. With live cultural entertainment, free prizes, and fun activities for families in the auditorium. The invigorating three-mile walk will happen outside, rain or shine. More information is here.
The Hengda Dance Academy performs classical Chinese dance, evoking lotus flowers in the breeze
Monday, Feb. 6: Lantern Festival Celebration at Confucius Institute Education Center, Chief Sealth International High School. Come join us for Lantern Festival, 元宵节, a celebration of light marking the 15th day of the lunar new year. Eat, drink, sing, make crafts, learn about the holiday and taste delicious dumplings made from sticky rice flour.
Please RSVP by Feb. 1 with number of guests to Changping Tang (Donna) catang@seattleschools.org or 418546085@qq.com
祝大家龙 年快乐，万事如意！
