Happy Chinese New Year - Year of the Rat!
Although most of us celebrate the new year on January 1st, there is plenty to celebrate according to the Lunar New Year calendar. On February 7th, we’ll welcome The Year of the Rat by announcing: “Gung Hay Fat Choy” (Cantonese) or “Gong Xi Fa Cai” (Mandarin) with hopeful wishes of prosperity.
The color red, a symbol of “good luck,” can be found everywhere on Chinese New Year. Grand festivities and lively celebrations are a cultural tradition. For those who can visit a Chinatown (located across the country in major metro areas), it’s not difficult to miss the startling sound of firecrackers and the deafening clamor of the gong, cymbals, and drums, followed by the elaborate costumes worn by Chinese lion dancers. The lion dancers transfix their audience by moving to the rhythm of the commotion, which resonates throughout the neighborhoods as they chase away evil spirits and bring good fortune.
If you’re looking for something a bit more tranquil, try a Chinese New Year Tea Tasting at the Cha Ma Gu Dao Teahouse to peacefully ease into the new year.If you like community events with parades and floats, the Chinatown Street Fair is a must! You and your family can enjoy dance and music, and also experience ancient and modern Chinese arts such as calligraphy, kite making and acrobatics.
What about the United States Miss Chinatown USA Pageant? Who will be crowned this year at the Palace of Fine Arts on February 16th? For almost 50 years, young women from throughout the United States have come to San Francisco to compete for prizes and scholarships in the annual Miss Chinatown USA Pageant. The winners will become goodwill ambassadors for the Chinese community throughout the year.
If you’re hungry, wander through the Chinese enclaves and arouse your sense with different flavors, smells and aromas. Try a dim sum restaurant like Chau Chow Dim Sum for a tasty sampling of Chinese lunch dishes or indulge your family with an authentic 10-course banquet dinner feast at Empress Pavilion Restaurant.
If you’re really serious about Chinese culture and language, try taking a Mandarin language course or a 15-day study abroad trip to China. What better time to learn to speak the native tongue…especially with the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics just around the corner?
Go ahead and celebrate 2008 a second time around! It’s a great excuse for another New Year’s celebration…but this time with a cultural twist!
Photo/Video Credits: Flickr User: T.O. Wong - Year of The Rat, YouTube User: Kleinkill, Pageant: 2007 Miss Chinatown Court
Events Fairs & Festivals Holidays
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Kelly C Said,
January 30, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
I usually don’t like parades, but that looks insane! Why do I get stuck with the stinkin Rose Parade every year???
sherry Said,
January 30, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
happy chinese new year! i love that dragon dance and the beat
!
Adam Said,
January 30, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
Whenever I go into a big Chinatown when the stores are closing, I can almost see the little Mogwais peering out from behind the faux antiques and dried herbs.
Bad Mogwai! That’s my charsiu bao!
Cathy Lee Said,
January 30, 2008 @ 10:49 pm
This article is amazing! I was mainly interested in finding out what day Chinese New Year falls on this year, but I found a plethora of extra information! I might just celebrate 2008 a second time around, thank you.
Wynn Said,
January 30, 2008 @ 10:56 pm
The Tea Tasting sounds very interesting. Although I’m bummed that my year, Year of The Pig, will be over. Oh well, some good Dim Sum at Empress Pavilion will make up for that. I’m drooling already…
Sue Said,
January 30, 2008 @ 11:40 pm
Chinese New Year like Vietnamese New Year or “Tet” is a blast. Little Saigon in Orange County has a comparable party/festival…
Jonny Loo Said,
January 31, 2008 @ 8:28 am
Thank you for such an informative and interesting post. I am very impressed w/your knowledge of traditional cultural traditions and authentic Chinese restaurants. Zvents always has the most interesting blogs about current events. It’s the best website!
Erin Said,
January 31, 2008 @ 8:56 am
Wow! So many great events that I had no idea about! Great post!
Stinker Bell Said,
January 31, 2008 @ 11:01 am
I’d like to see the U.S. Miss Chinatown Pageant! You’d think my boyfriend would too, but he’s more into watching the lions dance! Great blog… thanks!
Ray Said,
January 31, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
Here is a list of 100+ events for Chinese New Year in the US and Canada
http://www.childbook.com/Chinese-New-Year-Information-s/129.htm
Rose Parade had a lot of Chinese themed floats. Taiwan and China’s of course, but Alhambra and Cerritos also were Chinese themed.
Sincerely,
Ray
bette' Said,
February 1, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
A great article….and good variety of videos (except for a few, ha ha). They really celebrate it big time in San Francisco….how lucky you are to be in the heart of things! Gung Hay Fat Choy!!!!
Dave S. Said,
February 15, 2008 @ 11:29 am
My mother said to me, “If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope.” Instead, I was a painter, and became Picasso.”
Pablo Picasso.