Best Arts & Culture Events For Chinese Lunar New Year In Sacramento

It's time to celebrate the Lunar New Year as we usher in the Year of the Dragon on January 23. For those looking for some Chinese New Year celebrations in the Sacramento area, there are quite a few to check out. Stop by and take part in one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture.

Chinese New Year, Dim Sum & Calligraphy (Teen Program)
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2012, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sacramento Library - Sylvan Oaks Branch
6700 Auburn Blvd.
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
(916) 264-2700
www.saclib.org

If you are looking for a way to get your teenager involved in learning more about Chinese New  Year, the Sylvan Oaks branch of the library has a cool event that is part of its teen program. On January 19, your teenager can learn how to make dim sum and be educated about Chinese ink drawings, calligraphy, and Lunar New Year traditions.

Related: Best Dim Sum

Chinese Acrobats of Hebei
January 20, 2012, 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Thunder Valley Casino Resort
1200 Athens Ave.
Lincoln, CA 95648
(916) 408-7777
Tickets: $39.50 and $49.50 (plus taxes and fees)
www.thundervalleyresort.com

Head up to Lincoln for an adult night on the town at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort to watch the Chinese Acrobats of Hebei on January 20. This is a special Chinese New Year celebration featuring two shows. This talented group showcases Chinese traditions like the lion dance, wushu (group gymnastics), contortionism, Chinese poles, plate spinning and more. Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster or the Thunder Valley Rewards Center inside the casino.  Note: Guests must be 18 years of age to attend and if a guest is between 18 and 20, they must be accompanied by a legal guardian at least 21 years old.

Chinese New Year Party (Family Program)
Saturday, January 21, 2012, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sacramento Library - North Natomas Branch
4660 Via Ingoglia
Sacramento, CA 94835
(916) 264 - 2700
www.saclib.org

This is part of the Sacramento Library's family program, so everyone can attend this fun event. The Saturday afternoon party will kick off with a dragon dance and story at 11:30 a.m. sharp.  There will be a pot luck lunch beginning at noon. Start researching some recipes and get in the spirit by bringing a dish that is Chinese or incorporates a lucky food commonly served during Lunar New Year. Some easily sourced ingredients to include are oranges and peanuts, and anything sweet like kumquat, coconut, lychee nut, longan, candy melon and lotus seed.

Chinese New Year Culture Association
February 18, 2012
Stage Program: Noon – 5 p.m.; Business Expo: 11 a.m. – 5p.m.; Children's Games: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Scottish Rite Masonic Center
6151 H St.
Sacramento, CA 95819
Admission: Adults $6; Children 12 and under $1
www.cnyca.net

The Chinese New Year Culture Association (CNYCA) in Sacramento is gearing up for its 14th annual Lunar New Year celebration. This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, February 18, at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center.  By far, this is the biggest Chinese festival in the community. It is not only a time to get together and celebrate, but also a chance to help educate and promote Chinese culture to the rest of the general public. Look for traditional Chinese music, the lion dance, children's games, food and vendor booths and martial arts performers.

"Gong Yuebin: Site 2801" Museum Exhibit
March 10 through April 29, 2012
Hours: Tues-Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thurs: 10am – 9 p.m.
The Crocker Art Museum
216 O St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Admission: Adults $10, Seniors (65 and older) $8, College Students $8, Youth (7-17) $5, and Children under 6 are free, along with Crocker Members
www.crockerartmuseum.org

Beginning in March, the Crocker Art Museum downtown will be home to "Gong Yuebin: Site 2801," an abstract exhibit of 210 of the legendary Xian Terracotta Warriors. Yuebin's warriors are based on the models commissioned by Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor. The underlying theme of the exhibit seems to be that Yuebin feels a lack of progress despite thousands of years of evolution and wants you to consider your own behavior from the perspective of our children's children. This is evidenced in the display of newborn infants lying within missiles, offering a sliver of hope that time has frozen in chaos and destruction.

Related: Crocker Art Museum Guide

Erin De Santiago is a freelance travel and food/wine writer and photographer from Sacramento, California. She is a regional membership coordinator for the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and writes for a number of publications in addition to publishing her own blogs.  She has traveled to over 40 countries on five continents in search of the best food and wine around the globe. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.