PEM’S LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION RETURNS

TO USHER IN THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY

DANCE, MUSIC, ART MAKING, FILM AND MORE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 | 10 AM-4 PM

SALEM, MA — The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) is proud to announce the return of its annual Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, February 13, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Celebrate by making your own lantern for the traditional Lantern Festival, which signals the end of the Lunar New Year celebration. Experience lion dances, traditional Chinese music and get a glimpse of the world of the Shaolin with a special documentary. Be sure to explore Yin Yu Tang, PEM’s Chinese house that sheltered one family in the Huizhou region of China for more than 200 years.

The Chinese Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration marking the start of the new year. Each year is represented by one of the 12 zodiac animals and this is the year of the monkey. Those born in the year of the monkey are said to be smart, ambitious, quick-witted and optimistic.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 | 10 AM - 4 PM| INCLUDED WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION

SCHEDULE

10 am - 4 pm | Lucky Lanterns | Studio 1, Create Space
Design your own lantern with local artist, author and illustrator Jennifer DeCristoforo. She was inspired to develop the Lucky Bamboo Book of Crafts to share a connection with her adopted Chinese daughter’s native culture.

11 - 11:45 am | Gund Kwok: Lion Dance | Atrium
Kick off PEM’s Lunar New Year celebration with a lion dance performance by Gund Kwok, the only all-women lion dance group in the country. The Gund Kwok Lion Cubs, a group of 6- to 9-year-olds who have mastered the lion dance skills, get the festivities started.  

Noon - 12:30 pm and 2- 2:30 pm | Ribbon Dance | East India Marine Hall
Watch professional dancer Liwen Wang demonstrate the art of ribbon dancing. Then join the fun and learn some moves as she invites audience members to take part in a short ribbon dance.

12:30 - 1 pm and 2:30 - 3:30 pm | Music and Drumming | East India Marine Hall
Learn more about Chinese percussion from musician, teacher and conductor Chi-Sun Chan. Then have a go on the gongs, cymbals and drums.

1 - 1:45 pm | Chinese Folk Art Workshop | Atrium
Members of the Chinese Folk Art Workshop, all between the ages of 12 and 18, perform Chinese dances. Also see another lion dance, drumming and the diabolo (a traditional Chinese yo-yo) in action.

3 pm | Little Shaolin Monks | Morse Auditorium
Peek into the world of a group of 6- to 9-year-olds who live in the Shaolin Temple and practice the highest form of martial arts. 2007, 45 minutes, in Chinese with English subtitles.

PHOTO CREDIT

A ribbon dance performance delights the crowds at last year’s Lunar New Year Festival. Photo by Allison White/PEM.