Yale and New Haven usher in Year of the Dog
A scene from the “lion dance” through New Haven streets during last year’s Lunarfest. (Photo by Michelle Averitt, Yale-China Association)
Lunarfest, an event offering cultural programs for adults and children, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 17 in celebration of the Chinese Year of the Dog.
The New Haven Museum will team up with the Council on East Asian Studies at Yale and the Yale-China Association to co-host Lunarfest 2018. The theme of the event is “People-to-People,” reflecting a spirit of cross-cultural dialogue, specifically between the American and Chinese cultures. It will feature hands-on workshops, talks, and performances. All activities are free and open to the public; space is limited for some activities.
The festival will begin at 10 a.m. with remarks by Mayor Toni Harp, followed by a lion dance and performances on Whitney Ave., between Grove and Trumbull streets, and onto Audubon St. Yale mascot Handsome Dan will join revelers in the parade up Whitney Ave.
The festival will move indoors at 1 p.m. to three locations: New Haven Museum (114 Whitney Ave.), the Council on East Asian Studies at Yale University, Luce Hall (34 Hillhouse Ave), and the Yale-China Association (442 Temple St.). Activities will include children’s arts and crafts; calligraphy; music; dance lessons; paper-lantern making; language classes; cooking demonstrations; poetry; theatre; and exhibits.
For more information or to register, visit the Lunarfest website, send an email, or call 203-432-3427.
The New Haven Museum has been collecting, preserving and interpreting the history and heritage of Greater New Haven since its inception as the New Haven Colony Historical Society in 1862. The museum brings more than 375 years of New Haven history to life through its collections, exhibitions, programs, and outreach.
The Council on East Asian Studies promotes education about East Asia both in the college curricula and through lectures and workshops, conferences, cultural events, and educational activities open to faculty, students, K-16 educators, and the general public. Support for this day of Chinese arts and cultural programming has been provided by a Title VI National Resource Center Grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The Yale-China Association inspires people to learn and serve together. Founded in 1901 by graduates of Yale, the association fosters long-term relationships that improve education, health, and cultural understanding in China and the United States. Yale-China envisions a U.S.-China relationship of mutual understanding and profound respect nurtured by collaboration among individuals and institutions.
