Lunar New Year Celebration Bankhead Theater

A free, family-friendly Lunar New Year celebration will be held Saturday, January 25th from 10am-3pm in the Bankhead Theater lobby with traditional dancing, demonstrations, food and crafts. The 2020 event will celebrate the Year of the Rat in accordance with the Asian tradition which assigns a different animal to represent each year in the Chinese zodiac.

A colorful and dramatic lion dance, one of the most familiar Chinese New Year traditions, will be performed by KungFu Dragon USA who will also offer an exhibition of martial arts. Xiaopei Chinese Dance will also perform. New this year will be a short Chinese Opera performance, as well as a fashion show of traditional garb. Margaret Zhao of the Life Renewing Center will speak on “Chinese Health and Healing: The Art of Qigong.” Also featured in the lobby, will be displayed on Chinese calligraphy, Bay Area Asian history, a storytelling corner for children, and an art activity station that will allow visitors to create a
Lunar New Year craft to take home.

Throughout the morning, authentic foods, including dumplings and noodles, will be for sale in the concessions area. Visitors are invited to visit the festive Community Altar to offer gifts such as fruit, flowers or money for good tidings of health and prosperity in the coming year.

Sponsored by Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, the event is free but online registration is recommended. Everyone who registers will be automatically entered in a drawing to win a colorful Chinese Calendar. Must be present to win.