Chicago-Area Lunar New Year Events Set for Year of the Snake, From Parades to Museum Parties
Celebrations welcoming the Year of the Snake are under way across the Chicago area, with free ceremonies, performances, exhibits and two major parades planned through early February.
By Ken Adams ·
Communities across the Chicago area are preparing to welcome the Year of the Snake, with events that began last weekend and will continue over the next several weeks. Some organizations got an early start with festivities on Saturday.
The Lunar New Year, also called Chinese New Year, is a centuries-old tradition that marks the end of winter and the start of a new year with the arrival of a new moon. The 15-day celebration begins Jan. 29. Those wishing to take part can dine at restaurants offering special meals, watch live performances or take in the sights and sounds of colorful parades.
The first scheduled event in the lineup is a Cook County celebration at 3 p.m. Monday at the Cook County Building, 118 N. Clark St. Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita of the 13th District, Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) and Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th) are hosting the third annual gathering. Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, Lee and Manaa-Hoppenworth are expected to give remarks, and the event will include lion dancers, music and lucky red envelopes. It is free and open to everyone.
On Feb. 1, two events are planned. At 1 p.m., Navy Pier, ComEd and the Sue Ling Gin Foundation Trust will host an afternoon music festival in the Aon Grand Ballroom, 840 E. Grand Ave., featuring local artists, dancers and musicians in a celebration of the Lunar New Year and AAPI cultures. Admission is free. At 2 p.m., the Chinese American Museum of Chicago, 238 W. 23rd St., will hold a party with a buffet-style lunch, live performances, games and prizes, and traditional paper-cutting and calligraphy. Tickets can be purchased online.
Feb. 8 brings a cluster of activities in the Argyle Street area. At 11 a.m., TimeLine Theatre and the Heritage Museum of Asian Art will present a Year of the Snake exhibit at CMAA, 1016 W. Argyle St. It looks back at highlights from past Snake years, with dramaturgy by artist Irene Hsiao, and invites visitors of all ages to contribute to a community art project in the shape of a snake, meant for collective intention-setting.
Also at 11 a.m. Feb. 8, Qideas and HAIBAYÔ will mark the new year at 1132-1134 W. Argyle St. as part of the Argyle Community Healing & Placekeeping Project. HAIBAYÔ is teaming with Qideas Plant Shop on an immersive, educational botanical and flower installation, while Ăn Chơi Kitchen will host a Lunar New Year food talk and tasting.
The Uptown Chamber of Commerce will then hold its annual Lunar New Year Parade at 1 p.m. Feb. 8, kicking off at Argyle Street and Sheridan Avenue. The procession will include local community groups, cultural institutions, dancers and performers.
The following day, the Chicago Chinatown Community Foundation will host the annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade at 1 p.m. Feb. 9 at 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue. The parade is to feature traditional dragon and lion dancing teams, colorful floats, marching bands and marching groups.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
