By Lidia Ryan, Wed, January 18, 2023 All photos courtesy of Welcome to Chinatown unless otherwise noted
In early 2020, Vic Lee, who grew up in Manhattan’s Chinatown, noticed that there was less foot traffic in her neighborhood. “It was obvious something was going on that Lunar New Year,” Lee said. “We talked to business owners, and it was because of xenophobia and racist rhetoric.” During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in March of that year, she co-founded Welcome to Chinatown as a way to amplify small businesses and entrepreneurs in Chinatown via their Longevity Fund. The organization also has a meal donation program for underserved residents and does research and data collection. And this month, for the third year, Welcome to Chinatown will be hosting Lunar New Year celebrations to usher in the Year of the Rabbit, which begins January 22. We spoke to Lee about what to expect and what Lunar New Year means to her, as well as the Chinatown community.
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By Aaron Ginsburg, Thu, January 12, 2023 Lunar New Year, the two-week festival that celebrates the end of winter and welcomes in the spring and new beginnings, kicks off on January 22 and lasts until February 5. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, which is the fourth zodiac animal and considered the luckiest out of all 12 zodiacs. Ahead, find events across New York City that celebrate the Lunar New Year, from Chinatown’s annual parade and firecracker celebration to live performances by the New York Philharmonic and the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.
Lunar New Year events this way
By Devin Gannon, Fri, January 28, 2022 Courtesy of Pearl River Mart
The two-week Lunar New Year festival began this week, ushering in the Year of the Tiger. Kicking off February 1 and running through February 15, the Lunar New Year celebrates the end of the winter and looks forward to spring and new beginnings. Thanks to its multiple Chinatowns and diverse Asian communities across the five boroughs, New York City offers many ways to celebrate the new year, including a fireworks display, parades, lion dance performances, lantern making, and more.
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By Dana Schulz, Wed, February 17, 2021 Photo by @just_a_spectator
Public artist BKFoxx recently debuted her new mural in celebration of the Lunar New Year. Located at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Middle School 131 on Eldridge and Hester Streets, the piece representing the Year of the Ox is titled “Onward.” The artist tells us that she was inspired by what the Ox represents–honesty, hard work, stubbornness. “No better time than now for that theme, moving forward into 2021 and learning to be resilient,” she says.
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By Dana Schulz, Tue, February 2, 2021 Photo by Rhododendrites via Wikimedia
Next Friday, February 12th, begins the Year of the Ox, an animal whose attributes are hardworking and honest. The Lunar New Year is a 16-day celebration, often marked by lantern festivals, parades, and fireworks. But since we aren’t able to enjoy a lot of these gatherings this year, we’ve rounded up some of the best safe celebratory events in New York City, including virtual dumpling-making classes, papercutting workshops, a small business crawl in Chinatown, and traditional Chinese dance and music performances.
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By Devin Gannon, Wed, January 15, 2020 The two-week-long celebration of Lunar New Year begins next week, considered one of New York City’s most festive events of the year. The welcoming of the Year of the Rat, the first zodiac animal and said to be a sign of wealth, kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 25 and is followed by 15 days of festivities, including lots of parades, performances, and firework displays. With several Chinatowns and many Asian communities found across the five boroughs, there are fun Lunar New Year activities for all New Yorkers, from Lower Manhattan’s 21st annual Chinatown parade to the first-ever Asian comedy festival.
Our favorites ahead
By Devin Gannon, Fri, February 1, 2019 Via Wikimedia
One of New York City’s most spirited events kicks off next Tuesday: the Lunar New Year. With multiple Chinatowns and Asian communities across the five boroughs, there is no shortage of events to celebrate the nearly two-week-long holiday, which is said to have originated more than 4,000 years ago. While the most well-known festivity is the colorful parade in Lower Manhattan’s Chinatown, other Lunar New Year events in Flushing, Sunset Park, and Staten Island should not be overlooked. Embrace the Year of the Pig, the 12th zodiac animal said to signal good fortune, with lantern decorating events, dumpling and noodle-making classes, traditional dance and song, and sparkling firecracker ceremonies.
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By Lori Zimmer, Thu, October 13, 2016 In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers!
Architecture geeks rejoice, as Open House New York Weekend is finally here! It’s time to reserve your spot to see some architectural gems normally closed off to the public. But if you’re looking for something a little less hectic, head to Queens to check out a field of Christopher Walken busts at Socrates Sculpture Park. Clamp Art is also showing off Mark Yankus’ gorgeous “portraits” of New York’s buildings, and New York art world impresario Gregory de la Haba is also producing an evening opera at Carnegie Hall honoring Ireland’s unsung hero, Lady Hazel Lavery. Plus for the bruncher with artistic inclinations, this Sunday you can learn more about art writers and curators (including me!) that make their living in New York. Details for these events, and even more of my picks, ahead.
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By Lori Zimmer, Thu, April 30, 2015 In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a dance party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for ArtNerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers, beginning this evening.
This week, I recommend taking a magical vintage-inspired boat ride set to romantic music, or experiencing old New York with an exhibition at the historic Westbeth Artists Housing’s gallery. You can also gawk at the ill-fated Edie Sedgwick’s beauty as Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests take over Times Square, commemorate the life of urban activist—and Robert Moses nemesis—Jane Jacobs with over 200 free walking tours, or celebrate the vigor of the city with Michael Sorgatz’s paintings. Leave your comfort zone and head to New Jersey–zip into Newark for the Gateway Project’s ribbon cutting and party, or spend the day taking in the 1 million square feet of art space at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City.
All the best events here
