Every February for the last three years, our Saturdays have been devoted to one thing and one thing only. Chinese New Year. The mom to one Chinese kid, it is part of my job to give the Moon the opportunity to experience and participate in the culture of her birth. Almost four years ago we enrolled her in Chinese dance and it has become a very important part of our lives. Every Saturday from August until May she dons a leo and leggings and we meet her Chinese dance teacher and about 10 other little girls (a healthy mix of adopted children and children who live here with parents who have come to the US for work). They practice one dance and one dance only for the entire year in preparation for area Chinese New Year performances - thus our entire month of February (or three weekends most closely following CNY) being devoted to this holiday.
If you live in the Nashville area, here is a guide for celebrating Chinese New Year. The dates below are specific to this year, however, these are annual events, so file the article or links for future reference! Unfortunately, you'll notice that many of these events are on the same day, so choose wisely!
CAAN (Chinese Arts Alliance Nashville - http://www.chineseartsalliance.org/) CAAN offers two organization specific events: Chinese New Year 10-Course Banquet at Lucky Bamboo open to all for $85 per person (January 31, 2016) is CAAN's big fundraiser for the year but they also offer a FREE event! Their Dragon Park celebration will be held in conjunction with Dores to China (Saturday, February 6, 2016). The Dragon Park event is a lovely (but usually cold) day that also includes vendors, food trucks and more. Visit their website for information.
GNCA (Greater Nashville Chinese Association - http://gncamembers.com/) Though not open only to GNCA members, this is typically a member-only Chinese event largely attended by Nashville's Chinese (and adoption) community. With dinner and 2-hours of wonderful Chinese performances, this is a fantastic cultural event if you are looking for something beyond the Lion Dance and drumming. (Saturday, February 6, 2016)
Global Education Center Birthday Bash (http://www.globaleducationcenter.org) An Annual event, if you would like to make the evening a global event, check this out. Dancers and performers from many traditions and cultures from around the world, the GEC is a big hit and open to the entire community. (Saturday, February 6, 2016)
Discovery Center Murfreesboro. Sunday, February 7. 1:00PM to 5:00PM.
Join us as we bring in the Year of the Monkey! Chinese art, music, history, dance & more!
Free Admission!
Little Eagles 10-Year Celebration. I do not have a link for this but on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Father Ryan High School, Shiaolu McClaren will showcase her Little Eagles Dance Academy. If you would like more information, contact me via the contact form and I'll keep you in the loop as details unfold. (Saturday, February 13, 2016)
Asian New Year Festival. Vanderbilt Asian American Student Association. I have not attended this event and know little about it beyond what I picked up from the event page. But, it looks great! Here is the info: Join us as we ring in the Lunar New Year through a grand night filled with beautiful music, cultural dances, and meaningful stories. This year's theme JOURNEYS is a celebration of every individual’s journey, told through performance arts and a retelling of The Monkey King (Saturday, February 13, 2016)
FCC (Families with Children from China - www.fccmidtn.org) Each year the FCC puts on a Chinese New Year dinner specifically for the Chinese (and Asian) adoption community. Filled with food, fun and fellowship, it is a good time for all. (Saturday, February 20, 2016)
Nashville Lantern Festival (http://lantern.westnest.net/). An initiative from the Hillsboro cluster PTOs, this looks like an evening food and crafts followed by a lantern parade. I have not personally attended this event but see it pop up each year. If you go, be sure to let me know how it is! (Monday, February 22, 2016)
If you are a family touched by adoption, please consider sharing Chinese culture with your child by attending at least one of these events!
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