Welcome the auspicious Year of the Dragon at the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) as we continue celebrating the 20th anniversary of Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home! Immerse yourself in a vibrant Lunar New Year festival, filled with dynamic performances, captivating storytelling, and hands-on art making experiences, all while exploring the historic Yin Yu Tang house.
Yin Yu Tang, meaning “Hall of Plentiful Shelter,” offers a unique glimpse into Chinese art and culture. For two decades at PEM, this remarkable house, originally inhabited by the Huang family for two centuries, has served as a cultural bridge, attracting over 850,000 visitors since 2003. This year’s Lunar New Year program shines a spotlight on rich Chinese cultural traditions.
One of the festival’s highlights is the exhilarating dragon dance performance by Gund Kwok, the first all-Asian women’s Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe in the United States. Experience the powerful energy and artistic expression of this celebrated troupe as they bring the spirit of the dragon to life. Dragon dances are a significant part of Lunar New Year celebrations, symbolizing good luck, prosperity, and the warding off of evil spirits. Gund Kwok’s performance offers a unique and empowering interpretation of this traditional art form.
Beyond the captivating dragon dance, the Lunar New Year celebration offers a diverse range of activities for all ages:
Engage with Chinese Folktales: Award-winning writer and artist Limin Mo will transport audiences with enchanting Chinese folktales, perfect for children aged 12 and under.
Create Dragon Paper Puppets: Join Limin Mo in a hands-on art-making session to craft your own dragon paper puppet, allowing you to take home a piece of the festive spirit.
Decorate Red Envelopes: Participate in a drop-in art activity to decorate red envelopes, a cherished symbol of luck and prosperity exchanged during Lunar New Year.
Explore Yin Yu Tang: Take a self-guided tour of Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home and step back in time to discover the lives of families in rural Southeastern China. Reservations are required for tours, with same-day tickets available.
Enjoy Live Chinese Music: Be mesmerized by the Chinese Traditional Music Club from Berklee College of Music, presenting a fusion of traditional and contemporary Chinese musical styles.
Discover Chinese Shadow Puppetry: Delve into the art of Chinese shadow puppetry with Yolanda Yuanlu Peng in a puppetry workshop and explore this fascinating theatrical tradition. Same-day tickets are required for the workshop.
Audience enjoying live Chinese music performance at PEM Lunar New Year festival
Celebrate new beginnings and the arrival of spring at PEM’s Lunar New Year festival. Don’t miss the spectacular dragon dance and numerous other cultural experiences as we welcome the Year of the Dragon!
