Lunar new year in the Iowa City community
With the upcoming Monday off from school for the Lunar New Year, WSS shares events happening in the community to celebrate the holiday.
January 22, 2023
The Lunar New Year or Spring Festival is celebrated with the first lunar cycle of the new year (new moon to full moon cycle). Many spend the time leading up to the full moon cleaning and preparing for the new year. In Chinese tradition each year is assigned a zodiac animal character, 2023 will be the year of the rabbit. As this will be the first time ICCSD will be giving students a day off for the holiday, WSS wants to share ways to join in festivities for the holiday.
Sunday January 22nd from 4-5:30 at the Englert Theater, the University of Iowa music department will present a traditional Chinese drum performance along with the Iowa City Area Chinese Association with the University of Iowa’s Chinese department bringing to life a tradition dragon dance. Vocal performances ranging from speeches by community members memories and the importance of celebrating the Lunar New Year, to more musical acts by the Chinese Kids’ Choir with the Iowa City Youth Choir. All student admission is free and adult tickets run for $10 at the door.
Monday January 23rd from 2-3 in the conference rooms at the Iowa City Public Library, the Iowa City Area Chinese Association and University of Iowa Chinese program are presenting a dragon and lion dance free to the public. There will also be a crafting event to make your own traditional Chinese dragon out of paper.
Check out WSS article about how the Lunar New Year is celebrated by students here at West!
