On Saturday, January 28, 2017, a menagerie of Asian community centers in Lincoln are coming together to host a celebration for Lunar New Year at the Auld Pavilion in Antelope Park from 2-5pm. This is a free and public event that will include cultural performances from various lion dance groups, percussion ensembles, and dance teams. Various vendors will be present with food stations and other booths will be open for crafts and activities–take henna for example.

Lunar New Year is observed in over 20 different countries around the world. Celebrations start on the first day of the lunar calendar, with varying date each year but always between January 21 and February 20. This holiday is symbolic of letting go of the past and welcoming new beginnings. It is the perfect opportunity to bring families as well as individuals of diverse cultures together for one celebration.

One of the groups performing on Saturday is the Jing Mo Tong Athletic Association who have prepared a lion dance. Lion dancing was one of the earliest forms of entertainment in Imperialistic China. It holds great cultural significance due to its elaborate background but is best known as a ritual to ring in a prosperous new year by warding off bad luck.

Asher Xiaoqian is a newer member of JMT– having only joined this past fall– who grew up as an audience member for lion dances, never thinking that one day they’d (Xiaoqian identifies as neither male or female) become a part of the performance. Xiaoqian notified me that the group has been practicing for their show since the end of December and would love to see many new faces attend the event. Fellow JMT member Mike Nguyen recommends that everyone “should come to the New Year’s event on Saturday because it’s an excellent opportunity to learn about different cultures and about a time of year that holds great significance to numerous people and [because] it’d be fun to celebrate with them”.

Be sure to check out JMT among many other performers at the Lunar New Year Celebration this Saturday!