The Catalina Island Museum and Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce have partnered for a second year to bring a traditional Chinese Lion Dance performance to Avalon. The Lunar New Year (or Chinese New Year) celebration will take place during First Fridays at the Museum on Friday, Feb. 1.
The First Fridays at the Museum event will feature a performance by Ane Thanh Lion Dance.
A preview of the performance will be held on Wrigley Stage at 4 p.m. on Feb. 1, and the full Lion Dance will take place at the Catalina Island Museum later that evening at 7 p.m. The event will also feature a Chinese Dragon Puppet art activity, a Chinese New Year photo op, traditional mooncakes (thick pastry surrounding a sweet dense filling), fortune cookies, a Red Lotus cocktail, Chinese beer and more.
The Chinese believe the lion signifies courage, stability and superiority. The Lion Dance – in which performers mimic a lion’s movements in costume – is usually performed during the Chinese New Year and other special occasions. The dance chases away ghosts and evil spirits bringing good luck and fortune for the new year. Every movement of the lion has a specific musical rhythm accompanied by cymbals, a gong and drums. This lively dance combines art, history and kung fu moves. The performers are typically kung fu practitioners. Two lions will be featured in this year’s performance.
“We are so proud to bring the artistry of Chinese culture to Avalon again this year,” said Julie Perlin Lee, executive director of the Catalina Island Museum. “I’d like to thank the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce for their support and help in growing this annual celebration. Let’s ring in the Year of the Pig together!”
In addition to the performance, First Fridays at the Museum will offer an opportunity to create a Chinese Dragon Puppet and participate in the museum’s Red Envelope Raffle for a chance to win a number of prizes including a Magic Castle Pass for four.
And take a selfie to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year: The Year of the Pig. If you were born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 or those born this year, your Chinese zodiac sign is the pig. Accordingly, pigs might not stand out in a crowd, but they are very realistic. Others may be all talk and no action but pigs are the opposite. If you were born under the sign of the pig, you are energetic and enthusiastic. You enjoy life, love entertainment and though you are not wasteful, you will treat yourself occasionally.
First Fridays at the Museum will take place on Friday, Feb. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. The museum will re-open for this event at 6 p.m. The Lion Dance will begin at 7 p.m. and the art project will be available throughout the evening. Supplies are included. Tickets are $20 for museum members, $25 for non-members and $5 for children (ages 3-15). All children must be accompanied by an adult. Each ticket includes the performance, art project, mooncake and a fortune cookie. A Red Lotus cocktail, Chinese beer, wine, domestic beer, soda and water will be available for purchase. No outside food or drink allowed.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the museum, online via CatalinaMuseum.org, or by phone at 310-510-2414. Visit CatalinaMuseum.org for more information.
The Catalina Island Museum offers the best in art and history exhibitions, music and dance performances, lectures by guest speakers from all over the world, and the finest in silent, documentary and international film. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The museum’s new Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building is located in the heart of Avalon at 217 Metropole Avenue. For more information, call 310-510-2414 or visit CatalinaMuseum.org.
