A rippling 60-foot dragon will parade through Hillsboro Village and lion dancers will perform, all part of the Chinese New Year Celebration, noon-3 pm, Saturday, February 9th, 2019.
There is more: professional jugglers mingle with the crowd, Chinese calligraphy will be water “painted” on the walkways, there will be Chinese songs, music, dance, percussion, and arts and crafts for children, as well as TaiChi, Bamboo dance, and Chinese naming. Food vendors will be on site too. We are welcoming the Chinese New Year of the Pig, or some people call it the Year of Boar. The most special activity at the event will be “Adopt a Piglet” that sponsored by Peeweepiglets. Attendees can pet a piglet, or even take it home with you.
We are collaborating with Borderless Arts Tennessee, whose dancers will present a Chinese fan dance. We are also collaborating with MLK Magnet High School’s Chinese language program, whose students will perform lion dance and Kung Fu fan dance. Brentwood High’s Chinese language students will sing popular Chinese tunes, while Franklin High School will recite ancient Chinese poetry. And the Nashville Chinese School will present Chinese New Year rhymes, Chinese yo-yo, which is a Chinese children juggling game.
Lion dance and dragon dance are traditionally presented at festivals like Chinese New Year. Both the lion and dragon are symbols of good luck, fortune, strength and power in Chinese culture. “We bring joy and blessings to our community in the tradition of Chinese New Year, and we invite everyone to join us!” said Jen-Jen Lin, director of the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville.
This nonprofit arts organization is the driving force behind the event, in partnership with schools, neighborhoods, and others. Chinese Arts Alliance will also conduct a sing-a-long of a popular Chinese New Year Song called 恭喜恭喜Gong Xi Gong Xi (pronounced “gong-see gong-see”). Gong Xi means congratulations and it is said to congratulate one another for making it to another year and to wish each other good luck for the coming one.
There will be Chinese food from Lucky Bamboo, the Best Chinese Restaurant (voted by the Nashville Scene) as well several food trucks. This year a hot-drink truck will be there to warm you up at this Winter/Spring Chinese holiday.
Come in Chinese costumes or outfits. Red is the lucky color for the Chinese New Year! The Dragon Parade will be held at the end of the celebration, with the dragon parading through Hillsboro Village. Bring your children and parade with us.
The Celebration is at Vanderbilt University’s Corner Park between 21st Ave. S., and Blakemore Ave.
Many thanks to the Community, Neighborhood, and Government Relations Department, Vanderbilt University for their co-sponsorship. This event is made possible by the Arts Build Community Grant awarded by TN Arts Commission, and Metro Nashville Arts Commission. Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville is also supported in part by Metro Parks Dance Division as a resident dance company.
This event is free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome. Cold won’t deter our effort, but ice will. In case of rain or light snow, we will move our venue to Vanderbilt Recreation Center (2700 Children's Way, Nashville). All the updates will be publicized on our website, www.ChineseArtsAlliance.org and our Facebook page.
Chinese New Year Celebration @ Hillsboro Village
Corner Park at 21st Ave. S. & Blakemore Ave.
Saturday, Feb. 9, Noon-3 pm
Free admission
Let’s come together and celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Pig! A pig represents good fortune, wealth, honesty, and prosperity.
(Parts of this program will be repeated at the “Chinese New Year Celebration at Plaza Mariachi” on February 16, Saturday from 4:30 PM to 6 PM. Plaza Mariachi is located at 3955 Nolensville Pike, Nashville.)
For more info and free registration, please go to CAAN’s website at www.ChineseArtsAlliance.org .