Chinese lanterns – Salem Happenings

Lunar New Year Weekend Festival

Last week, I talked about the annual Salem’s So Sweet Festival, and I have to admit that sometimes I just don’t understand people. The event, which was supposed to be a fun way for people to explore the city and see some magnificent works of frozen art, was marred by the actions of a small group of young mischief-makers who thought it would be fun to ransack some of the ice sculptures. Now, don’t get me wrong, I can understand, especially at a young age, the desire to reach out and break something when you’ve had a rough day and/or you’re feeling more than a little mischievous. However, there must be a better way to channel these impulses than destroying other people’s hard work and potentially earning yourself jail time and/or a hefty fine in the process. In fact, I would have to imagine that some of these individuals are probably thinking that they would like a do-over on this one because trying to explain to a judge or jury why you destroyed three ice sculptures valued at approximately $325 each seems like the complete opposite of fun to me.

Of course, actual do-overs are not usually an option in life, but there may be a way for you to “reset” your year in a figurative sense. You see, it just so happens that this past Monday was the Lunar New Year, so if you’re looking for a way to celebrate the occasion and start the year fresh, you may want to head over to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem. This is because the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) is hosting their Lunar New Year Weekend Festival from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. tomorrow (Saturday, February 13, 2016.) This event will allow you and your family to design your own Chinese lantern, watch a number of dancing performances (including lion dances and ribbon dances), listen to music played on traditional Chinese instruments, and more. For more information on the Lunar New Year Weekend Festival at the PEM, please visit the Peabody Essex Museum’s Event Calendar.

Photo credit: aotaro via VisualHunt / CC BY

Celebrating the Chinese New Year

Last week, I talked about some of the ways that you could embrace the ice and snow in New England, as frozen water, in one form or another, is really all we’ve had lately. In fact, I have to admit that I was just about to write the words “New England has finally received a reprieve from the winter weather” only to look outside and realize that the very act of me thinking it apparently jinxed it (although, let’s face it, the very idea of the snow stopping before May was probably pretty absurd to begin with.) However, if you’re sitting there thinking to yourself that this year has gotten off to a pretty rough start with all the snow and the amount of time you’ve spent dealing with it, there is a simple way to find the fresh start that you may be looking for – the Chinese New Year. Now, of course, the Chinese New Year (A.K.A. the Lunar New Year) won’t help you reverse time and control the weather (because, trust me, if it could, everyone in New England would be celebrating it), but it may be able to help you reframe the way that you perceive your year.

If you think recognizing the Year of the Ram as the beginning of your year is a better idea than accepting the snow-filled months that have preceded it and you would like to know more about the traditional festivities that mark the occasion, the Peabody Essex Museum may be able to help. The Peabody Essex Museum, which is located in downtown Salem, Massachusetts, is holding its annual Lunar New Year Festival from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. tomorrow, February 28, 2015. This celebration will give you, your friends, family, and anyone else who might be interested the opportunity to design your own lanterns, listen to traditional Chinese music, see traditional Chinese dances, and more. For more information on the Lunar New Year Festival, which is open to all museum visitors at the standard admission price, please visit the Calendar page on the Peabody Essex Museum Website.

If, on the other hand, you’re looking for something that feels more like a celebration and less like a learning opportunity (even though there is still plenty to learn), you may want to check out the Quincy Lunar New Year Festival. The Quincy Lunar New Year Festival, which is sponsored by the South Cove Community Health Center and organized by Quincy Asian Resources, Inc., is scheduled to take place on Sunday from 10:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at North Quincy High School. This festival will feature a kid’s area, calligraphy, cultural exhibits, dancing, music, painting, papermaking, vendors with a wide variety of goods, and more. For more information on the Quincy Lunar New Year Festival, which is open to the public and free to attend, please visit the Events page on the Quincy Asian Resources, Inc. website.

Photo credit: IQRemix / Foter / CC BY-SA

Ring in the New Year All Over Again

As the first month of 2014 draws to a close, many people have already begun to develop their own opinions of what the rest of the year will be like. In fact, some people have already decided that 2014 will be a great year while others have decided that they would really like a do-over. Fortunately, if you fall into the second category, there is a way for you to experience the start of a new year without waiting for 2015. Now, I know what you’re probably thinking, “either this is a trick or this guy’s nuts.” However, the fact of the matter is that there is another new year you can celebrate, and this new year is the Lunar New Year (or the Chinese New Year as it is also called.)

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate the Lunar New Year and learn about the traditions surrounding it, you may want to check out the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. The Peabody Essex Museum is hosting a Lunar New Year Festival from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. tomorrow, February 1st, 2014. This festival, which is included in the normal admission price to the museum, will allow you and your family to ring in the Lunar New Year with dancing, drumming, lanterns, swords, and a whole lot more. For more information on the Lunar New Year Festival at the Peabody Essex Museum, please visit the Peabody Essex Museum website.

If you’re just looking for a way to celebrate another new year (and get your do-over), Dance Republic has you covered. Dance Republic, which is a social, fitness, and sports dance studio located in Wellesley, MA, is hosting a Year of the Green Horse Social Dance Party from 7:30 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. tomorrow, February 1st, 2014. This dance party will feature dancing showcases, food, and social dancing with a Chinese New Year theme. For more information on the Year of the Green Horse Social Dance Party, please visit the Dance Republic Event page.

Photo credit: emmstitch / Foter / CC BY