Lunar New Year Community Day
Celebrating the Norton’s Chinese Art Collection
Join the Norton to celebrate Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon! Kick off the day with traditional Shadow Puppet Show with Chinese Theater Works, enjoy dance and music with Jinlu Arts, Storytime with Monica Ladd, and dragon and lion dances with Lee Koon Hung Kung Fu. Learn more about our Chinese Collection with Spotlight Tours with our docents and get creative with multiple art activities. The day concludes with a lecture by Claire Chu and a fireworks display on the Intracoastal.
Lunar New Year Animal Exploration
Use this guide to learn about Lunar New Year 2024: The Year of the Dragon and to locate works of art in the galleries.
Celebratory Fare to Welcome Good Fortune for the Year of the Dragon
Certain dishes are eaten during the Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration for their symbolic meaning. Foods, which are believed to bring good luck for the coming year, are served during the festival season, especially at the celebratory dinner on New Year’s Eve.
Schedule of Events
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Traditional Shadow Puppet Show
Chinese Theater Works / Hao Bang Ah Dragon!
“Hao Bang Ah!” is a common Chinese expression meaning “Great!” Each year, Chinese Theatre Works celebrates the Lunar New Year season with an original production that features the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This year’s show stars the Dragon, who presides over a joyful selection of wild puppet skits, dances, and songs. Hao Bang Ah, Dragon features pieces including “The Lion and Dragon Dance”, “Riding the Dragon”, “Zodiac Parade”, and "Monkey King Fights the Dragon”!
Stiller Auditorium
Seating is limited. First come, first served.
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Dragon Stories
Monica Ladd, Storytainer
Enjoy visual stories with interactive activities. Perfect for all ages.
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Spotlight Tour
Our docents will give short tours highlighting a particular piece from the Chinese Collection:
Lantern Festival and Animals of the Lunar Year.
Meet in the 1st and 2nd floor Chinese Art Galleries
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Spotlight Tour
Our docents will give short tours highlighting a particular piece from the Chinese Collection:
Lantern Festival and Animals of the Lunar Year.
Meet in the 1st and 2nd floor Chinese Art Galleries
-
Traditional Dance and Music
Jinlu Arts
Enjoy a variety of traditional Chinese dances performed by Jinlu Arts including “Spring in the Garden,” a traditional fan dance, and a Jinhu solo.
Great Hall
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Docent Tour
Highlights of the Collection
Join our docent for a tour of special works in our Collection.
Meet in Great Hall
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Dragon Stories
Monica Ladd, Storytainer
Enjoy visual stories with interactive activities. Perfect for all ages.
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Dragon and Lion Dance
Enjoy a traditional Dragon and Lion Dance featuring the Lee Koon Hung Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu Association.
Goergan Garden
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Spotlight Tour
Our docents will give short tours highlighting a particular piece from the Chinese Collection:
Shang Dragon Pouring Vessel and Dragon Roof Fascia Panels.
Meet in the 1st and 2nd floor Chinese Art Galleries
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Spotlight Tour
Our docents will give short tours highlighting a particular piece from the Chinese Collection:
Shang Dragon Pouring Vessel and Dragon Roof Fascia Panels.
Meet in the 1st and 2nd floor Chinese Art Galleries
-
Traditional Shadow Puppet Show
Chinese Theater Works / Hao Bang Ah Dragon!
“Hao Bang Ah!” is a common Chinese expression meaning “Great!” Each year, Chinese Theatre Works celebrates the Lunar New Year season with an original production that features the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This year’s show stars the Dragon, who presides over a joyful selection of wild puppet skits, dances, and songs. Hao Bang Ah, Dragon features pieces including “The Lion and Dragon Dance”, “Riding the Dragon”, “Zodiac Parade”, and "Monkey King Fights the Dragon”!
Stiller Auditorium
Seating is limited. First come, first served.
-
Spotlight Tours
Our docents will give short tours highlighting a particular piece from the Chinese Collection:
Lantern Festival and Animals of the Lunar Year.
Meet in Great Hall
-
Spotlight Tours
Our docents will give short tours highlighting a particular piece from the Chinese Collection:
Lantern Festival and Animals of the Lunar Year.
Meet in Great Hall
-
Dragon Stories
Monica Ladd, Storytainer
Enjoy visual stories with interactive activities. Perfect for all ages.
-
Lecture
Enter the Dragon: Miniature Treasures from the Imperial Workshop
Clare Chu has been active as a scholar in the field of Chinese snuff bottles for over forty years as a director and the secretary of the International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society. She is also the editor of the Journal of the ICSBS. Clare has curated a number of exhibitions, including those at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Walters Art Gallery, and the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei. Clare’s talk will introduce this art form with a focus on imperial workshop production.
Space is limited; online registration required.
Stiller Auditorium
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Fireworks Display
Fireworks will be visible from the Garden and the east side of the Museum facing Olive Avenue.
ALL DAY ACTIVITIES / Open Studios
12-5 pm / Art Activity /Chinese Lantern
Create a dragon lantern in this drop in class.
Classroom #2
12-5 pm / Art Activity / Fu Calligraphy
Learn about different Chinese characters while creating a memorable calligraphy project.
Classroom #1
12-5 pm / Art Activity / Dragon Puppet
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a fun dragon puppet.
Great Lawn
12-6 pm / Art Activity / Make a Wish
Make a wish for the New Year and add it to our Wishing Tree.
East Garden
This program is made possible by the generosity of John and Heidi Niblack.