The New York City Lunar New Year 2016 \u201cYear of the Monkey Celebration,\u201d a five-day-long festival marking the lunar new year holiday, will be held Feb. 6-10 at iconic locations across the city and headlined by the Fantastic Art China exhibition at Javits Center North (11 Avenue between 39th and 40th Streets). The festival programs, events and activities \u2013 all free and open to the public \u2013 will not only highlight Chinese arts and culture but also environmental conservation for monkeys in China. Partner organizations include the US-China Cultural Institute, Committee of 100, New York Philharmonic, National Dance Institute, The Nature Conservancy, Columbia University Teachers College, New York School of Interior Design, Museum of Chinese in America, and the China Institute.<\/p>\n
Fantastic Art China, a 72-000 square foot exhibit presented by the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) \u2013 China\u2019s largest and most prestigious art academy which has been the source of many of today\u2019s respected Chinese artists \u2013 is showcasing rising young artists, tomorrow\u2019s contemporary Chinese artists, as well as established artists. The exhibit, which will be open daily Feb. 6-10, will consist of the following highlights:<\/p>\n
A Public Art Exhibition including projects by contemporary artists Pan Gongkai, Su Xinping, Jiang Jie and Duan Haikang
\nA Pavilion of Contemporary Arts including paintings, sculptures, installations, videos, interactive digital media, and photography, as well as \u201cView,\u201d a re-examination of Chinese traditional ink painting and its presentation
\nA Cross-Cultural Exhibition featuring the works of teachers, students, graduates from major art academies in Beijing and New York
\nA Hall of Creativity and Design dedicated to original Chinese design products
\nA Thematic City Exhibition featuring Changsha, Hunan Province\u2019s capital, that focuses on urban development and art in a modern Chinese city<\/p>\n
On February 8th, there will be a special NYC Lunar New Year Students Day at Javits Center North to celebrate the city\u2019s historic designation of the Lunar New Year as a school holiday in 2016 for 1.1 million public school students, becoming the largest school district in the country to close on the holiday. Activities include an opening ceremony, live acts and mass dance lessons featuring monkey dances taught by National Dance Institute as well as a special presentation by The Nature Conservancy on the endangered golden monkey and the environment.<\/p>\n
Additional events in support of the New York City Lunar New Year 2016 \u201cYear of the Monkey Celebration\u201d include a Fireworks Spectacular over the Hudson River (Feb. 6), an Empire State Building light show (Feb. 6 and 8), lion and monkey dances at Lincoln Center Josie Robertson Plaza (Feb. 9), an art display on David Geffen Hall and New York Philharmonic\u2019s 5th Annual Chinese New Year Concert and Gala at David Geffen Hall (Feb. 9).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted to partner with so many important New York cultural institutions to celebrate the Lunar New Year 2016 and the year of the monkey. We hope the events of this five-day festival will provide a view of the future direction of modern Chinese arts, culture, and conservation,\u201d said Yu Ding, Director of China\u2019s Central Academy of Fine Arts and President of Fantastic Art China.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new school holiday for students is a great expression of New York\u2019s embrace of its cultural diversity. We hope the events and programs of this festival will help young New Yorkers enrich their understanding of China today, its arts and conservation efforts,\u201d said Shirley Young, Chair of US-China Cultural Institute, and US Co-Chair of Fantastic Art China.<\/p>\n
Following is the complete schedule of free events for the New York City Lunar New Year 2016 \u201cYear of the Monkey Celebration\u201d (Feb. 6-10):<\/p>\n
Fantastic Art China
\nSaturday, Feb. 6 to Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 10 am to 6 pm each day
\nA 72,000 square foot exhibit at Javits Center North featuring contemporary and updated traditional art, US-China art school exhibits and live performances open to the public. The February 6th opening events will include a concert by iSING! led by Haojiang Tian, Chinese dances by National Dance Institute public school students, a special presentation by The Nature Conservancy about the golden monkey and conservation, and special tours of the art exhibition.<\/p>\n
Fireworks Spectacular on the Hudson River
\nSaturday, Feb. 6 at 8:30 pm
\nA large scale Fireworks by Grucci show at Pier 84 with simulcast of accompanying music by Oscar and Grammy Award winner Tan Dun<\/p>\n
Empire State Building Light Show
\nSaturday, Feb. 6 and Monday, Feb. 8 evenings
\nA 3-minute light show on the Empire State Building<\/p>\n
Columbia University Teachers College
\nSunday, Feb. 7
\nArts Education Symposium (by invitation)<\/p>\n
NYC Lunar New Year Students Day at Javits Center North
\nCelebrating the inaugural NYC Lunar New Year Public School holiday
\nMonday, Feb. 8 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
\nThe daylong festival, free to the public, will include an opening ceremony, live acts, and performances and mass dance lessons for student attendees featuring monkey dances taught by National Dance Institute (NDI). Also featured will be a special presentation by the Nature Conservancy on the endangered golden monkey and the environment. Special tours of the art exhibition will also be available.<\/p>\n
Community Event at Lincoln Center Josie Robertson Plaza
\nTuesday, Feb. 9 at 4:30 pm
\nMonkey dances by National Dance Institute Celebration Team and Traditional Lion Dance by the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company against the backdrop of David Geffen Hall decorated with Chinese artwork by Duan Haikang.<\/p>\n
New York Philharmonic Chinese New Year Concert (ticketed)
\nTuesday, Feb. 9 at 7:30 pm
\n5th Annual Chinese Lunar New Year Concert featuring the New York premiere of \u201cNu Shu \u2013 The Secret Songs of Women symphony for 13 micro films, harp and orchestra\u201d by Oscar and Grammy award-winning composer Tan Dun. Student discounts are available for $16.50.<\/p>\n
Other partner events include:<\/p>\n
China Institute\u2019s \u201cChinese New Year Family Celebration: The Year of the Monkey\u201d
\nSaturday, February 13th from 11 am to 3 pm<\/p>\n
Museum of Chinese in America\u2019s \u201cLunar New Year Family Festival\u201d
\nSaturday, February 20th from 11 am to 4 pm<\/p>\n