BBG's Lunar New Year celebration will feature a full lineup of exciting entertainers offering a sensory adventure for all who attend. The spectacular events schedule features music, dance, and theater for the whole family by some of the most renowned Asian and Asian-American performance groups in the world. Nori Company, a traditional Korean drum-and-dance company, will kick off the afternoon with a spectacular Poongmul-nori performance, combining carefully choreographed movement and incredible drumming.
The 18-member Huaxia Edison Dance Troupe uses ribbons and magnificent costumes in its Chinese folk dances, many inspired by nature. Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera features unparalleled martial arts, acrobatics, and music in its extraordinary performances. A household name in China and winner of the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship, the company's founder, Qi Shu Fang, "fills the stage with magic that is inexpressively enchanting," says the New York Times. At BBG's Lunar New Year Celebration and Flower Market, Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera will perform selections from the operas Iron Fan Princess and Fighting in the Dark.
Plants native to China, Korea, and Vietnam are part of Brooklyn Botanic Garden's outstanding Asian plant collection and will be featured on Chinese- and English-language guided tours. The visually stunning plants in the collection are the inspiration for kids' and adults' craft workshops and will be featured at the flower market. The Garden's visitors can purchase traditional flowers and plants to take home and luxuriate in the lavish colors and scents of peach blossoms, citrus trees, flowering quince, and other seasonal flowers.
An exploration into the horticulture of Asia will continue with a presentation by the authors of Vietnam: A Natural History, the first comprehensive volume on the country's extraordinary flora and fauna and diverse natural areas. The authors will be on hand to answer questions and conduct a book signing following their talk. Family workshops will give children the chance to make crafts-paper flowers, citrus sachets, and Lunar New Year greeting cards-while learning about the gorgeous plants that symbolize good fortune for the New Year. Additionally, the Garden Gift Shop will offer a selection of Asian-inspired gifts for purchase. Plus, the Zagat-rated Terrace Café will feature a special menu incorporating culinary delights from China, Korea, and Vietnam.
Lunar New Year is a celebration that marks the beginning of Seolnal, the Korean New Year; Tet, the Vietnamese New Year; and Chun Jie, the Chinese New Year. By hosting one of Brooklyn's first public, Asian-focused celebrations for the Lunar New Year, the Garden honors the rich cultural traditions of its neighboring Asian communities, as well as the beauty and symbolism of a bounty of lush Asian flowers at the start of a new year.
The festival will feature performances, workshops, and events including:
* Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera, a world-renowned company that integrates acrobatics and martial arts into its breathtaking performances;
* Huaxia Edison Dance Troupe, 18 dancers using ribbons and fans to perform a variety of exquisite Chinese folk dances;
* An afternoon kickoff with a spectacular Korean musical procession and performance for kids by the Nori Company;
* A presentation by the authors of Vietnam: A Natural History, the first comprehensive volume on the country's extraordinary flora and fauna and diverse natural areas, with a Q&A and book signing to follow;
* Kids' workshops for making paper versions of market flowers and other crafts; and Chinese brush-painting classes for adults;
* Special Lunar New Year tours in Chinese (noon and 2 p.m.) or English (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.), and one especially for kids (3 p.m.), to learn about BBG's impressive collection of plants native to China, Korea, and Vietnam;
* An array of culturally significant plants highlighted throughout the Steinhardt Conservatory;
* A traditional Asian flower market featuring seasonal flowers at BBG's first-ever flower market in celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year.
* All Lunar New Year Celebration and Flower Market events are free with Garden admission. -- www.bbg.org
Posted February 8th, 2007 by ruzik_tuzik
